About
Piano Lessons
Born into a musical family, Ron began piano studies at age 5 with his father, Dr. H. W. Kilian, who, decades after his passing, is remembered by many for his excellent teaching and music direction. Ron gave his first public performance at age 6 playing “The Wild Horseman” by Robert Schumann in the Cowichan Music Festival receiving an award from adjudicator Boris Rubakin for his performance. He went on to participate in 13 consecutive seasons of the festival eventually winning every award for piano offered by the festival as well as often representing the Cowichan Valley at the Provincial Festival of the Performing Arts.
At age 13, Ron began many years of study at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Robin Wood, a world class pianist and an excellent, kind and generous teacher.
Ron has served as accompanist/collaborative pianist for numerous soloists and vocal ensembles in the Cowichan Valley including the Medford Singers and the Cowichan Consort Chorus. He has performed with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra on several occasions, participated in fundraising concerts to benefit the Cowichan Music Teachers Association bursary fund, Glenora Farm and the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund. Ron served as organist for St. Peter’s Anglican Church for many years.
Ron currently teaches privately from his home in North Cowichan and is beginning year 7 as a member of Brentwood College School’s music faculty.
He welcomes, and enjoys working with, students of all ages (6 years and up), levels and aspirations in a warm, friendly, encouraging environment.
In 1982, he graduated at the head of his class from the Conservatory’s intensive 2-year piano teacher training program and was awarded an associate degree (AVCM) as well as a position on the piano faculty. Notable student achievements included a First-Class Honours with Distinction Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) ARCT exam and a winner of the Victoria Civic Orchestra concerto competition.
Ron earned both a bachelor and master’s degree (BMUS, MMUS) in piano performance from the University of Victoria studying with Bruce Vogt and Eva Solar Kinderman. During his years as a student at the university, Ron was in constant demand as a collaborative pianist, often performing mainstream music with students and faculty, as well as more adventurous material including pieces penned by composition students and faculty. During his Victoria days, Ron performed with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra on several of its Spectrum Series concerts. Please see PERFORMANCE for more information.
In 1993, Ron was invited to join the music faculty of Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo where he taught advanced piano students as well as the obligatory Keyboard Proficiency Course for non-piano students.
qualifications & experience
Bachelor and master’s degree (BMUS, MMUS) in piano performance. Associateship Diploma Victoria Conservatory of Music in piano pedagogy (AVCM).
Forty years teaching experience. Former faculty member Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM). Former faculty member Vancouver Island University (VIU) school of music. Current faculty member Brentwood College School.
Teaching successes have included: ARCT First Class Honours with Distinction (94). Winners of the Victoria Civic Orchestra and Cowichan Consort concerto competitions. Numerous awards won by music festival participants.
Strong and varied performance background which has included appearances with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Victoria International Festival, University of Victoria Orchestra, Cowichan Consort Orchestra, and the critically acclaimed Aventa Ensemble. I have been known to take my “classical hat” off and enjoy jamming with friends.
Current criminal record check.
Discovery Options
Technique/ Physical relationship to the instrument: Discover the simple easily understood, doable principles which govern the development of a highly effective piano technique which leads to beautiful, fluent, confident and satisfying playing. Technique may be defined as the ability to meet the demands of the artistic moment whatsoever these happen to be. Indeed, at the fundamental level, piano technique is so simple that young infants routinely discover the “Master Secret” spontaneously without being shown or told! Unfortunately, there is a tendency among teachers to unwittingly undermine excellent intuition and instinct rather than broadening and developing it which causes no end of problems as the student advances. (Please look for a video and article)
Discover the joy of learning music theory (which I prefer to call music language because that is in fact what it is) the fun creative way through improvisation. Through actually using the language creatively on a regular basis as one would with any other language in conjunction with written paperwork This can begin immediately with beginner students. There is a way that a brand-new beginner can explore the resources of a piano within a few minutes, sound good and have a great time doing so!
Discover the benefits and advantages of learning with a teacher with strong professional performance background. “Pictures are worth a thousand words” as the saying goes. So are good demonstrations!
Discover highly effective, efficient learning and practise strategies used by professionals.
Discover informative articles on this site based on a lifetime’s observation and experience. These are intended to share insights regarding various important aspects of pianistic, musical development such as practice and learning strategies, technique, theory, teaching styles, artistic development and more.
Studio
The studio is located in a beautiful, peaceful, rural setting on Bell McKinnon Road, 8 kilometres north of downtown Duncan. It has two wonderful mid-sized grand pianos (a 6’4” Petrof 3 and a very rare vintage 6’8 Schiedmayer). It has pyramid style vaulted ceilings for excellent acoustics and a cozy wood stove.
Piano Lessons
Lessons are available in person and online. Fees are negotiable
Ready to pursue
your dream?
Ron is currently accepting new students.