Dr Ross Braes graduated from the University of Victoria twice, both majoring in Music History (BMus, 1984 and MA, 1995) and graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2003 having completed his PhD in music theory after seven years of study. While most of his students are aware that he teaches conservatory-level music theory and history, Dr Ross also taught for a number of years at UBC focusing on aural skills and advanced theory. Besides his on-going studio teaching, he also teaches music appreciation for older students and adults, composition for all ages, and help prepare students for entrance exams to major conservatoires and universities throughout North America.
Dr Ross has studied music since the age of eight and spent 16 years studying music at post-secondary institutions. He has traveled abroad to give lectures on his particular expertise – the music and life of Claude Vivier. (“Google” his name and Vivier’s orchestral work Orion to learn more.) In short, Dr Ross is always learning about music language and history, and how to better teach all aspects of music in exciting, different ways. Lately he enjoyed the chance to teach about the music and history of Canada and our composers, especially in Budapest and Debrecen, Hungary every spring since 2013. He also has performed at the Neptuna Residence in Malmö, Sweden for the past four years, entertaining folks with his accordion and piano playing.
Childhood years
Dr Ross is a third-generation Vancouverite who is blessed with a fun-loving and active childhood steeped in music of all types. His mother and maternal grandmother both played piano and organ and those two keyboard instruments inspired Ross’s musical studies. As a young teenager his family moved to the Comox Valley where he was introduced to the accordion, an instrument more suited to small hands. Ross joined band in high school and focused on alto saxophone and bassoon during these years. His post-secondary studies at the University of Victoria increased his experience with learning many Baroque wind instruments. Ross played in many concert bands and orchestras, and was third & contra-bassoonist for the Port Angeles Symphony orchestra for several years.
PRIVATE STUDIO TEACHING
Dr Ross Braes has been teaching at his own music studio in Vancouver since 1987. During this time he has taught hundreds of students all aspects of music history and theory along with aspects of musician- ship (sight-singing and ear-training) and numerous music appreciation courses for adults. He has prepared students for their conservatory music examinations along with preparation towards their entrance exams at college and university. More recently (since 2008) Dr Ross teaches Stradella piano accordion to students of all ages and levels using the Palmer-Hughes method books and his own materials along with copious amounts of music from most styles, genres and world music. He is particularly pleased to create and/or compose music specifically for the needs of his students at any age or level.
TEACHING AT SIDES (South Island Distance Education School)
Dr Ross Braes was contracted by the Student Services division of SIDES (School District 63) from September 2008 to 2010 to assist students with various cognitive and developmental challenges. He has engaged these students in a variety of musical activities designed to help increase their motor skills and sensory input, as well as basic comprehension of language including the basics of ASL. For the neuro-typical students Dr Ross has taught a variety of topics such as music appreciation and music history, along with the basics of ukulele, recorder and keyboard skills. He is currently contracted with the Student Services division at SIDES once again for the 2009-10 academic year and is especially looking forward to teaching the basics of composition to two students who have acute cerebral palsy.
MUSIC SESSIONS FOR FORRESTER HOUSE (a group home for Beconnected Society in Victoria)
Dr Ross Braes conducts ongoing musical sessions for the residents at Forrester House ever since he began in September 2008. He engages them in music-making with simple percussion instruments, encourages group singing and dancing where possible, and in general tries to involve everyone regardless of physical or cognitive challenge. The residents have a great deal of fun and the staff at Forrester House find the musical sessions a high-point of the week. Dr Ross plays a variety of keyboard instruments (the organ, piano or accordion) to help create a positive and up-beat mood. The feedback from these sessions is always positive and uplifting.