Hi, I'm Nova Lachlan. I help people improve their emotional wellness through music.
I am nonbinary and I support all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Absolutely no homophobia, transphobia, or prejudice towards any facet of the community is tolerated in my studio.
Music is a lifelong special interest for me. I'm a music teacher because the job of Mad Scientist didn't seem financially viable. My motto is "I like to have fun around here", because I think learning is and should be inherently fun.
THINGS I CAN DO
Click to see what I can help you with in my lessons!
Piano Lessons
The piano is a classic default beginner instrument for a reason. It's versatile and independent - no need for a rehearsal track or accompanist. Most piano students learn to read sheet music, with the additional option of learning to play from lead sheets. It's a good choice for building a strong musical foundation.
Exam Prep
It's common knowledge that music requires patience and discipline, which makes it a respectable extra-curricular activity. Taking a performance exam can be a good way to develop and show your soft skills, especially early in life, and it can even count as a course credit in some schools. A Grade 6 or higher piano certificate is required for many Canadian university degrees in music.
Voice Lessons
As a part of the body, singers need to listen closely to their physical sensations, both external and internal. Vocal lessons can build a stronger connection between the body and mind, which can make it easier to express oneself and emotionally regulate. Many people find the physical feeling of singing to be comforting or even thrilling. It's a fantastic and constructive stim activity.
Songwriting
Songwriting can be a very difficult skill to learn, especially for those who struggle with constructive criticism. Many people default to trial and error, which can take a lot of courage and mental fortitude. The support I can offer is based in my bachelor's degree in Music Composition (from Western University, for whoever's counting), my experience as an arranger for live musical events, and my connections to local performing musicians.
Theory Lessons
Some students are not interested in performing, but still want to study music. Most music students end up learning at least some music theory to make performing on their instrument easier, but the world of musical analysis is broad enough to be its own subject. Theory students learn to hear deeper meanings in the way music is constructed.
Emotional Wellness
Performance ability is not always the end goal of musical training. My philosophy is that the primary outcome of studying any art form should be an enrichment of the soul and a deeper connection to oneself. In the modern world, emotional and spiritual wellbeing often takes a back seat to measurable productivity. Studying and performing music can be an effective, guided step towards a healthier connection to one's inner world.
Every student's lesson plan is different, because every student is different, but the end goal is always self regulation and expression.
Ellen, mother of 12-year-old student Emma
