Ilona Beck
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Making Music, Making Friends

What Parents Say About Ilona's Teaching

  Our daughter gives Ilona a rating of 11 on a 10 point scale for excellence in music instruction, and we agree. Ilona makes learning music fun, and more important, she understands how the nine-year-old brain learns. She knows just when to be silly and just when to zero in on a teachable moment. She also understands that music is SOCIAL: kids will welcome music instruction and music practice if other kids are involved. Since she started lessons with Ilona, our daughter has spontaneously included music making in her playdates. It's heartwarming to see the kids pack up the gin rummy game in favour of playing fiddle, cello, and piano. And music making has become a family affair: that's an entirely unexpected bonus.  Lin & Art, parents

  Ilona is a highly creative, dedicated teacher with a talent for instilling a love of music in children. Her teaching reflects her philosophy that music is not an elitist preoccupation but an essential activity for everyone. She always goes beyond what is expected, in effort and accomplishment.  Miriam & Gordon, parents

  Ilona is skilled in teaching children from a very young age to upper teens. She has knowledge and sensitivity for the very different needs of these ages. She has consistently shown her flexibility and adaptability in teaching style to best reach her students. Ilona is a talented musician and dedicated teacher. I highly recommend her without reservation.   Valerie, mom

   I was instantly impressed with her ability to understand and relate to the unique needs of young children. Under her apt tutelage, my daughter developed a deep love for music while receiving a solid foundation in technique, ear training, performance and musicianship.   Marlene, mom

   She has demonstrated great patience as well as an ability to challenge. Ilona has helped my son develop a love of music which will stay with him forever.   Leslie, mom

  She is a very skilled and talented individual who maintains a wonderful rapport with both children and adults alike.   Lynn, mom

  Her personality is warm, sincere, and interested in her students' abilities. She brings out the best in them and challenges them to expand. She is pleasant, upbeat, and inspiring toward her students.  Graham, father

  Ilona was very gentle and patient, and sensitive to my daughter's needs. Ilona adapts her method to the child's needs, which I feel is a real gift in a teacher. I cannot find enough adjectives to compliment Ilona. She is a gifted musician and teacher who has a variety of skills and a wonderful personality as well.  Patti, mom

   Ilona is a very caring teacher who often plays along with her students, giving gentle encouragement, steady inspiration, and producing an example of a wonderful sound for the student to emulate. She creates an atmosphere in which students are challenged to think there was no limit to their ability or to what pieces they can play. Ilona also takes a personal interest in each child which endears her to them.  Elly, mom

   Magazine review as Windsor Strings (a youth string orchestra of 40 students, co-directed by Ilona) performed in London Ontario's 'Contemporary Showcase': …We listened in open-mouthed amazement as the larger ensembles played not only musically and remarkably in tune, but without a conductor!… What a treasure the city of Windsor has….

What Students Say About Ilona's Teaching

   Groups are more fun because you are playing with other people.
"Lulu"

   Ilona makes learning FUN!
"Coco"

   Not only learn...but also counting, staying together with others, not playing alone
"Anabelle"

   When I play in my group, I feel like I can be more.
"Palmer"

   We laugh a lot; we're never bored; it's always exciting; I always want to go to practice, never want to miss.
"Rosie"

   Once I was sick with a fever but still didn't want to miss Music Friends
"Ziggy"

   It's not stressful like private lessons because we're doing it together.
"Catalina"

   We learn a lot and it's fun. I love playing with my friends.
"Tina", age 8

   It's exciting. We've got the best teacher in the world!
"Brandon", age 11

   Ilona is really cool. It's fun to come to lessons.
"Rachel", age 9

   Ilona makes special songs for us that are awesome.
"Thomas", age 12

   Our music is exciting and fun to learn.
"Sarah", age 7

   She's a teacher I will never forget. She's nice and full of fun. We giggle a lot in lessons.
"Jessica", age 8

   Ilona is awesome.
"Zachary", age 10

   I can't wait for my next lesson.
"Annie", age 8

   Ilona is the nicest teacher in the whole entire universe.
- "Heather", age 10

   She is an excellent teacher and she puts her heart into her work. She has been a great influence in my life. I am forever indebted to her, for having enhanced my life in music.
- Dominique, age 17

   I think Ilona is a great teacher as well as a great role model.
"Jenelle", age 14

   Ilona is very patient and understanding. With her as my teacher I know that I am there to learn and have fun just playing music. What I find most beneficial is the fact that Ilona realizes that it is difficult for adults to get to practice time in. She just wants her students to come to the lesson to have a great time playing music. In every lesson that contains a difficult piece Ilona makes sure that there is a balance between difficult and easy so I do not get discouraged. She also explains important information in great detail while making it comprehensible. So, with Ilona as my teacher I am able to learn the joy of playing an instrument while having a wonderful time. E.M., age 30