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Welcome to Heltzel Music Studio, the private teaching studio of Dr. Chad Emry Heltzel, located at City Place (Spadina and Fort York Blvd) in downtown Toronto. An RCM certified teacher, Dr. Heltzel welcomes students of all ages and is available for studio, at home, and online lessons. In addition to more than 15 years of experience as a piano instructor, he teaches both conducting and music theory, and freelances as a vocal coach. Dr. Heltzel holds DMA’s in both orchestral conducting and piano performance, and has served the faculties of l’Université de Montréal, McGill Conservatory, and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Heltzel’s students regularly participate in RCM examinations and music festivals, and are award winners of local and national competitions. Many of his former piano students have continued on to performance degree programs at Canada’s leading conservatories and universities.

Lessons

  • Piano
    • 1-on-1 in-studio, at-home, and online lessons available
    • Preparation for RCM exams: Intermediate levels to ARCT
    • Registration for local and national festivals & competitions
    • Studio performance classes
  • Conducting
    • 1-on-1 in-studio, at-home, and online lessons available
    • Preparation for auditions, and exams
    • Areas of focus:
      • Conducting technique and fundamentals
      • Score study techniques
      • Aural skills
  • Music Theory
    • 1-on-1 in-studio, at-home, online lessons available
    • RCM theory levels 1 – 8; Harmony and counterpoint levels 9 – ARCT; ARCT Analysis
    • Preparation for RCM theory exams
  • Vocal Coaching
    • 1-on-1 in-studio, at-home, online coaching available
    • Areas of focus:
      • Opera
      • Art Song
      • Oratorio
    • Preparation for recitals, auditions, exams
    • Accompanying services available

Biography

Dr. Heltzel made his debut with orchestra at the age of 15 performing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with members of the Oregon Symphony.  He studied piano performance with John Perry at the Glenn Gould School, and at l’Université de Montréal with Marc Durand where he obtained his DMA in 2009.  Dr. Heltzel leads an active career as both a conductor and pianist, and his concerts have been broadcast on CBC Radio II, NPR, and All Classical Portland. As an advocate of contemporary music, he has led many Canadian and world premiers from the podium, including works by Salvatore Sciarrino, Gary Kulesha, and Arvo Pärt. 

His recent guest conducting engagements include the Fairbanks Summer Festival Orchestra, the Venice Symphony (Venice, FL), the Pembroke Symphony, the Milton Philharmonic, the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Sinfonietta.  As an opera conductor, he has appeared with University of Toronto Opera, Toronto New Music Projects, Opera Nuova Summer Arts Festival, and served as Music Director with the Montreal West Operatic Society.  Dr. Heltzel obtained his DMA in orchestral conducting from the University of Toronto in 2019.

For further details about Dr. Heltzel’s performing career, including upcoming events and select recordings, please visit www.chadheltzel.com.

Contact

For more information about lessons and rates, please contact by either email or phone. All questions and inquires are welcome!

Email: chadheltzel@gmail.com

Phone: (514)-619-1249