TESTIMONIALS
FROM PARENTS:
“Lois Simmons is an absolutely amazing piano teacher, and pupils and parents alike were devastated to hear that she was leaving Hamilton. Her intelligence, her expertise, her musicality, and her experience already render her exceptional, but it is also her manner with her pupils, and her teaching style, that really make her stand out as a piano teacher. She is an extremely patient and gentle teacher, funny, warm and extremely good at both explaining and encouraging. She truly possesses that rare mix as a teacher of maintaining extremely high standards and expecting hard work, on the one hand, and making the experience of learning entirely enjoyable and stimulating, on the other. I can truly say that I literally don’t know a single pupil of hers (ages 6-65) who did not adore her. So my advice to the parents and aspirant pianists of St, John’s: Run—don’t walk--to sign up for piano lessons with Lois. Because once the word gets around, you’ll be begging her to find space for your child. It’s certainly what happened in Hamilton!”
-Dr. Lynn Shakinovsky
"My daughter Ruby quit playing piano at around age 9. She took it up again a year later with Lois and never looked back. For years she practically skipped over to Lois' house in anticipation of her lesson and was always so happy afterwards. Lois helped my daughter fall in love with the piano again. As a teenager she found Lois easy to relate to and counted her as a mentor in her life. I can't speak highly enough of Lois' wonderful ability as a teacher."
-Anne Bokma, mother to Ruby Bokma, age 16, Hamilton, Ontario
“Lois has been an amazing teacher, mentor, and friend to our two daughters. Always professional, warm, kind and pleasant, she inspired them to work hard with her unwavering encouragement and patience. She took both girls from beginner to RCM levels 5 and 10 at the time of her moving. Every year at the recital, from beginner to experienced, we were impressed and inspired by the playing and by the reciprocal devotion between teacher and students and their families. For 10 years, every week from September to June, Lois has been part of our family, and we miss her.”
-the Simpson family
“Lois taught my son piano from age 8 through 11 and during that time I was continually impressed by her ability to keep my very active and engaging son on task. Lois teaches with great passion and compassion. I would recommend her highly.”
-Georgia Corkins, BAA, FMA,FCSI
Investment Advisor & Financial Planner
“Lois provided a calm and inviting environment for both my children that allowed them to progress at their own rate and enjoy the experience of learning to play the piano and music appreciation.”
-parent
“Lois has a wonderful ability to instruct, inspire and motivate her students. The competency she exudes as a piano teacher is embellished by her compassion and humour. Lois communicates her musical commitment with intelligence, enthusiasm and creativity.”
-Jane Carlisle, parent of two students
"Our daughter Isabelle had piano lessons with Lois from the time she was 8 until she was 17. We watched our daughter develop and flourish as a musician both technically and as a performer. We are extremely grateful that Isabelle had the opportunity to have Lois as a teacher and musical mentor."
-James and Jackie Roberts
"My daughter had Lois as her piano teacher for 4 years and learned so much. Lois's piano teaching is full of life and profession. She is the best."
-Chyun Shi, McMaster University
"We had Lois as our piano teacher for several years. She taught our three boys and also myself (Richard). Lois was able to easily adapt her teaching to various levels. She ensured that we learned the fundamentals of technique, theory and performance in a comfortable and non-judgmental fashion. She has made learning piano enjoyable for each of us. We highly recommend her as a teacher for both juvenile and adult learners."
-Dianne L. Persadie, RegN
-Richard J. Persadie, BSc, MD, FRCSC
"Please do not send your pupils to Lois. We need her back in Hamilton."
-Jonathan Dushoff, McMaster University
FROM STUDENTS:
"I came to Lois at a time when I was frustrated and ready to quit piano. I’m so glad that I did not quit because Lois made piano fun again. I looked forward to my lesson with her every week. With her patient and encouraging instruction, Lois helped me improve my technique and achieve my goal of getting my grade 8 practical certificate. Her encouragement also helped me face my fear of performing in a recital without sheet music. Thank you, Lois!"
- Jordana Dufour
"My favourite part about music class was walking in to see Lois. She just made me feel welcome and like I was at home. Lois is a very talented teacher that I miss very much. I have never had a better piano teacher and no one compares to her."
-Jane (age 12)
“I came to Lois as an adult student with absolutely no experience of piano but a long-held wish to learn to play. I knew of her because she was the admired teacher of several of my friends' children. Lois understood my learning needs very well and was a dynamic and encouraging teacher whose patience never flagged. She always believed in my ability to master things, saw progress when I couldn't, and was also challenging when necessary. She is an exceptionally gifted and irreplaceable teacher.”
-Christine Dalton
"Lois is an amazing piano teacher! I learned a lot and I love piano. I am glad that Lois taught me because she is a very gentle and knowledgeable teacher. I would definitely recommend Lois to anyone who wants to learn to play piano!"
-Alessia Woolfe
“Lois is a fantastic teacher. Learning piano was never so much fun! Her warm personality and easygoing teaching style always made a comfortable and happy learning environment for me.”
-Macklin Loosley-Millman, 17
"Lois is awesome!!"
-Ruby Bokma, 16,
FROM PARENTS:
“Lois Simmons is an absolutely amazing piano teacher, and pupils and parents alike were devastated to hear that she was leaving Hamilton. Her intelligence, her expertise, her musicality, and her experience already render her exceptional, but it is also her manner with her pupils, and her teaching style, that really make her stand out as a piano teacher. She is an extremely patient and gentle teacher, funny, warm and extremely good at both explaining and encouraging. She truly possesses that rare mix as a teacher of maintaining extremely high standards and expecting hard work, on the one hand, and making the experience of learning entirely enjoyable and stimulating, on the other. I can truly say that I literally don’t know a single pupil of hers (ages 6-65) who did not adore her. So my advice to the parents and aspirant pianists of St, John’s: Run—don’t walk--to sign up for piano lessons with Lois. Because once the word gets around, you’ll be begging her to find space for your child. It’s certainly what happened in Hamilton!”
-Dr. Lynn Shakinovsky
"My daughter Ruby quit playing piano at around age 9. She took it up again a year later with Lois and never looked back. For years she practically skipped over to Lois' house in anticipation of her lesson and was always so happy afterwards. Lois helped my daughter fall in love with the piano again. As a teenager she found Lois easy to relate to and counted her as a mentor in her life. I can't speak highly enough of Lois' wonderful ability as a teacher."
-Anne Bokma, mother to Ruby Bokma, age 16, Hamilton, Ontario
“Lois has been an amazing teacher, mentor, and friend to our two daughters. Always professional, warm, kind and pleasant, she inspired them to work hard with her unwavering encouragement and patience. She took both girls from beginner to RCM levels 5 and 10 at the time of her moving. Every year at the recital, from beginner to experienced, we were impressed and inspired by the playing and by the reciprocal devotion between teacher and students and their families. For 10 years, every week from September to June, Lois has been part of our family, and we miss her.”
-the Simpson family
“Lois taught my son piano from age 8 through 11 and during that time I was continually impressed by her ability to keep my very active and engaging son on task. Lois teaches with great passion and compassion. I would recommend her highly.”
-Georgia Corkins, BAA, FMA,FCSI
Investment Advisor & Financial Planner
“Lois provided a calm and inviting environment for both my children that allowed them to progress at their own rate and enjoy the experience of learning to play the piano and music appreciation.”
-parent
“Lois has a wonderful ability to instruct, inspire and motivate her students. The competency she exudes as a piano teacher is embellished by her compassion and humour. Lois communicates her musical commitment with intelligence, enthusiasm and creativity.”
-Jane Carlisle, parent of two students
"Our daughter Isabelle had piano lessons with Lois from the time she was 8 until she was 17. We watched our daughter develop and flourish as a musician both technically and as a performer. We are extremely grateful that Isabelle had the opportunity to have Lois as a teacher and musical mentor."
-James and Jackie Roberts
"My daughter had Lois as her piano teacher for 4 years and learned so much. Lois's piano teaching is full of life and profession. She is the best."
-Chyun Shi, McMaster University
"We had Lois as our piano teacher for several years. She taught our three boys and also myself (Richard). Lois was able to easily adapt her teaching to various levels. She ensured that we learned the fundamentals of technique, theory and performance in a comfortable and non-judgmental fashion. She has made learning piano enjoyable for each of us. We highly recommend her as a teacher for both juvenile and adult learners."
-Dianne L. Persadie, RegN
-Richard J. Persadie, BSc, MD, FRCSC
"Please do not send your pupils to Lois. We need her back in Hamilton."
-Jonathan Dushoff, McMaster University
FROM STUDENTS:
"I came to Lois at a time when I was frustrated and ready to quit piano. I’m so glad that I did not quit because Lois made piano fun again. I looked forward to my lesson with her every week. With her patient and encouraging instruction, Lois helped me improve my technique and achieve my goal of getting my grade 8 practical certificate. Her encouragement also helped me face my fear of performing in a recital without sheet music. Thank you, Lois!"
- Jordana Dufour
"My favourite part about music class was walking in to see Lois. She just made me feel welcome and like I was at home. Lois is a very talented teacher that I miss very much. I have never had a better piano teacher and no one compares to her."
-Jane (age 12)
“I came to Lois as an adult student with absolutely no experience of piano but a long-held wish to learn to play. I knew of her because she was the admired teacher of several of my friends' children. Lois understood my learning needs very well and was a dynamic and encouraging teacher whose patience never flagged. She always believed in my ability to master things, saw progress when I couldn't, and was also challenging when necessary. She is an exceptionally gifted and irreplaceable teacher.”
-Christine Dalton
"Lois is an amazing piano teacher! I learned a lot and I love piano. I am glad that Lois taught me because she is a very gentle and knowledgeable teacher. I would definitely recommend Lois to anyone who wants to learn to play piano!"
-Alessia Woolfe
“Lois is a fantastic teacher. Learning piano was never so much fun! Her warm personality and easygoing teaching style always made a comfortable and happy learning environment for me.”
-Macklin Loosley-Millman, 17
"Lois is awesome!!"
-Ruby Bokma, 16,