Study with me

"As the Danish philosopher, and theologian Søren Kirkegaard writes: 'If One Is Truly to Succeed in Leading a person to a Specific Place, One must First and Foremost Take Care to Find Him Where He Is and Begin There'.
I have seen Jeff demonstrate this secret of the art of teaching to a great extent in the teaching of my daughter, during the last 3 years. The result is a student who confidently and steadily grows and makes good progress."

-Mette K. Pedersen, mother of student, and Exam. art in music.

My teaching style is tailored to each individual student. I don't believe in a dogmatic approach and have the benefit of having myself studied with many different teachers both when I was a student and through a continuous effort to stay current with our quickly-evolving instrument. I have worked professionally as both a French and German bow player, and feel comfortable teaching either style, but favour German when starting new students. I like for my students to set goals for public performance via avenues like the Kiwanis Music Festival and Royal Conservatory Exams.

My own most important experiences as a young bassist came from ensemble playing, and being part of a bass section. I have a deep passion for passing on those experiences to younger generations, and aim to help create a collaborative community of bass players in the Lower Mainland. I greatly enjoy coaching youth orchestra or school orchestra bass sections and encourage all my students to make ensemble playing a priority.

Some of my students' past achievements include reaching the finals of professional auditions in Scandinavia, and I have prepared students for the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, Oslo Conservatory of Music and Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra among others.

"I have had the great pleasure to work with Jeff White - as a fellow musician in the orchestra and as general manager of Orkester Norden.

As a musician Jeff is always extremely dedicated and well prepared. His high standards demands the utmost of himself and the collegues around him. He is allways attentive and inspiring in his playing. I have had many great musical experiences with Jeff in the orchestra.

Being responsible for the highly talented youth musicians - chosen to participate in Orkester Norden - I had the luck and pleasure to engage Jeff as coach for the bass players in the 80 musicians symphony orchestra. Along with some of the greatest instructors in Scandinavia, Jeff made outstanding results with the young talents. In a very difficult and demanding repertoire, Jeff made magic and got the utmost out of the bass group.

I give Jeff my most sincere recommendations. Both as a musician and as an instructor."

-Michael Pilgaard, Principal Timpanist Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Former General Manager - Orkester Norden