Linda Shirley

For 45 years, Linda Shirley has worked tirelessly to establish herself as an outstanding teacher who specializes in laying down the fundamentals necessary to make her students successful in their future studies. She believes that if a strong foundation is built right from the very first lesson, students will become confident and informed young musicians who can then take those strong sight reading and ear training skills with them into the higher and more challenging repertoire. As the current publisher of the renowned "Kelly Kirby Piano Method", which was originally developed and published by the Royal Conservatory of Music, Linda's students consistently receive outstanding marks in examinations and festivals but more importantly she values the opportunity to help her students through their struggles and achievements, both personally and musically, so that they feel supported on their journey and discover the warmth and satisfaction that music can bring to their lives. Linda is also the CEO and Head of School for The Arts Connection, an arts and education centre in Richmond, BC. In 2020 The Arts Connection will be celebrating its 30th year of operation, during which it has grown from Linda's small home piano studio to a leading provider of music lessons, dance and art classes, Early Childhood Education, and school-age childcare. The Arts Connection's School of Music strives to match Linda's philosophy in musical education in its range of piano, violin, guitar, ukulele, drums, voice, and music theory lessons.