to soar
to be
to hug
to laugh
to dance
to sing
to smile
to love
Experience and Teaching Philosophy
I began teaching professionally in Toronto, Ontario not long after graduating from university and have over 15 years experience as an instructor of instruments, voice and choir to children, youth and adults.
Simultaneously, I also taught children and adults, the majority who were from the Caribbean community, as a volunteer through a church organization in Toronto for over a decade.
Alongside, my private teaching studio, I was a Music Itinerant Specialist with the Toronto District School Board for three years where I taught classroom music to children using Orff pedagogy methods.
Over the years, I have prepared students successfully for Royal Conservatory of Music exams and the Kiwanis Festival for solo and group competitive classes.
My teaching philosophy is based on guiding students in music study to create order in their mind and body and well as connect to their innate musicality. Through this process I aim to expose the unique quality of their sound, in the case of the voice that is all their own from the beginning of life.
Students accepted in my studio will have a deep commitment to going on this journey of self-discovery through the tool of music. They will demand of themselves to come prepared for lessons and will be excited to be studying.
I do instruct in classical and/or contemporary genres and encourage in my students of all abilities a love of learning music using a patient, yet structured approach.
I currently teach in-person and online. Contact me for details or join the waitlist below.
ENDORSEMENTS
"I am delighted to provide a heartfelt recommendation for Karlene M. Francis who taught my sons Henry (11 years old) and Luke (6 years old) for a year and a half, from September 2022 to December 2023 until due to a family health situation she had to change her teaching schedule. Her dedication and expertise have made an immense difference in the life of my son, Henry. Karlene's exceptional teaching abilities have not only helped Henry navigate his musical journey but have also supported him in achieving success in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam.
From the moment Henry began his lessons with Karlene, her genuine care and understanding of his unique needs as an autistic student were evident. She approached each session with patience, kindness, and a tailored teaching style that resonated with Henry's learning preferences. Karlene's ability to adapt her teaching methods to accommodate Henry's individual challenges and strengths truly set her apart.
Under Karlene's guidance, Henry not only developed his musical skills but also gained confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Her unwavering support and encouragement empowered Henry to push past obstacles and excel in his RCM exam. Karlene's commitment to Henry's success went above and beyond, as she invested time and effort into ensuring he felt prepared and confident on exam day.
Karlene's passion for music and dedication to her students, including those with special needs like Henry, are truly commendable. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact she has had on Henry's musical journey and overall development.
I wholeheartedly recommend Karlene to anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled music educator who goes the extra mile to inspire and uplift her students."
-Hongxia
Hongxia L. - Mother of Henry who achieved 93% First Class Honours, with Distinction on his first RCM exam (Prep A) in January, 2024.
We are so grateful for the time Karlene spent teaching our son over the past year. He struggles with social anxiety and takes a long time to warm up to new people, but from the very start, Karlene made him feel safe and comfortable. Her soft and gentle approach was exactly what he needed. Not only did she help him feel at ease, but she also fostered a genuine love for learning the piano. Our son also has ADHD and so finding the right teacher for him was incredibly important. Karlene's patience, understanding, and ability to adapt her teaching style to his needs made a huge difference. She is wonderful with neurodivergent children and really knows how to tailor lessons in a way that supports their learning styles.
Unfortunately, we had to move out of town and had to stop lessons, which was heartbreaking for our son. He was devastated and didn't want to continue lessons with anyone other than Karlene—something that truly speaks to the strong bond and positive relationship they developed during their time together.
We cannot recommend Karlene enough. Her kindness, expertise, and intuitive teaching style made a world of difference for our son, and we will always be thankful for the impact she had on his musical journey.
Best of luck on your new life adventure...wherever and whatever that may be!
Marielle, Mohamed and Sekouba
I taught 9 year old, Sekouba beginner piano for almost two years and thoroughly loved his musicality!
Dear Karlene,
"It has been a great pleasure to have you as my daughter's piano teacher for the past two years. She felt very comfortable and safe with you, and your encouragement and enthusiasm were contagious.
Under your gentle but firm tutelage, her dedication to learning and improving her skills grew tremendously and we are very proud of how far she has come in so short a time. We would happily recommend you as a teacher to any music student. I hope our paths cross again."
Best wishes,
Melissa
Mother of 11 year old Penelope M. who this year, 2024-2025 is preparing for her first RCM exam (Grade 1). She started as a beginner in 2022-2023.
"As an adult beginner to piano, I was nervous about starting lessons after a ten-year break from music. Karlene’s patience and sense of humour made it easy to dive back in.
Her passion is infectious and as a teacher, she has been eager to work with me to meet my goals and regularly adjusts our lessons to fit. Karlene is skilled at finding new ways to explain things that aren’t sticking, and she has taught me how to break pieces down and learn at my speed.
It’s been a delight learning from and getting to know her, and I would recommend her to anyone."
--
Juniper Littlefield