I'm a versatile musician and educator specializing in classical, jazz, and pop piano performance, composition, and pedagogy. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, I bring over a decade of experience in piano instruction, both in private settings and through structured methods such as Suzuki. My background also includes academic research into performing didactic repertoire and injury-preventive techniques, ensuring my teaching methods prioritize technique and musical expression. As a performer, I have extensive experience in jazz and classical music, having collaborated with ensembles, recorded professionally, and served as an accompanist for a variety of performances. What sets me apart is my ability to tailor my teaching and performance approaches to the needs of each student or project, combining technical precision with a creative and engaging style. Employment and project experience: Piano Instructor, Freelance | 2013–Present Delivered individualized lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. Specialized in Suzuki methodology and injury-preventive techniques involving the Taubman approach and others. Teaching Assistant in Music Theory, University of Alberta | September 2020–April 2022 Facilitated music theory tutorials and provided academic support to students. Designed engaging course materials aligned with curriculum objectives. Freelance Pianist, Various | 2010–Present Performed in jazz, classical, and liturgical contexts, including professional recordings and live events.

Brendan McGrath

I'm a versatile musician and educator specializing in classical, jazz, and pop piano performance, composition, and pedagogy. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, I bring over a decade of experience in piano instruction, both in private settings and through structured methods such as Suzuki. My background also includes academic research into performing didactic repertoire and injury-preventive techniques, ensuring my teaching methods prioritize technique and musical expression. As a performer, I have extensive experience in jazz and classical music, having collaborated with ensembles, recorded professionally, and served as an accompanist for a variety of performances. What sets me apart is my ability to tailor my teaching and performance approaches to the needs of each student or project, combining technical precision with a creative and engaging style. Employment and project experience: Piano Instructor, Freelance | 2013–Present Delivered individualized lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. Specialized in Suzuki methodology and injury-preventive techniques involving the Taubman approach and others. Teaching Assistant in Music Theory, University of Alberta | September 2020–April 2022 Facilitated music theory tutorials and provided academic support to students. Designed engaging course materials aligned with curriculum objectives. Freelance Pianist, Various | 2010–Present Performed in jazz, classical, and liturgical contexts, including professional recordings and live events.

Available to hire

I’m a versatile musician and educator specializing in classical, jazz, and pop piano performance, composition, and pedagogy. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, I bring over a decade of experience in piano instruction, both in private settings and through structured methods such as Suzuki. My background also includes academic research into performing didactic repertoire and injury-preventive techniques, ensuring my teaching methods prioritize technique and musical expression.

As a performer, I have extensive experience in jazz and classical music, having collaborated with ensembles, recorded professionally, and served as an accompanist for a variety of performances. What sets me apart is my ability to tailor my teaching and performance approaches to the needs of each student or project, combining technical precision with a creative and engaging style.

Employment and project experience:

Piano Instructor, Freelance | 2013–Present

Delivered individualized lessons to students of all ages and skill levels.
Specialized in Suzuki methodology and injury-preventive techniques involving the Taubman approach and others.

Teaching Assistant in Music Theory, University of Alberta | September 2020–April 2022

Facilitated music theory tutorials and provided academic support to students.
Designed engaging course materials aligned with curriculum objectives.

Freelance Pianist, Various | 2010–Present

Performed in jazz, classical, and liturgical contexts, including professional recordings and live events.

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Skills

Fr
Freelance Gig
Mu
Music Theory
In
Instrumental
Vo
Vocal Feature
Vo
Vocal
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Experience Level

Freelance Gig
Expert
Music Theory
Expert
Instrumental
Expert
Vocal Feature
Expert
Vocal
Expert
Composition
Expert
Lead Vocal
Expert
Theme Tune
Expert
Jingle
Intermediate
Finale
Intermediate
Logic Pro
Intermediate
Soundtrack
Intermediate
Acapella
Intermediate
GarageBand
Beginner
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Language

English
Fluent

Education

Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Pop Piano Performance at MacEwan University
September 1, 2013 - April 30, 2017
While I primarily came into my own as a player and teacher at the University of Alberta, my academic career as a performer/composer began in MacEwan University’s jazz music program, studying Black American, Brazilian, and contemporary avant-garde piano traditions. This has informed my understanding as a classical musician, especially when working with pieces by crossover artists such as Kris Davis, Tigran Hamasyan, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Nitai Hershkovitz, Brad Mehldau, and others. I graduated from this program in April of 2017.
Master of Music in Classical Piano Performance at University of Alberta
September 1, 2019 - June 20, 2024
At the University of Alberta I studied classical piano performance. I took five years to complete this degree due to a number of factors including a global pandemic, a playing-related injury, and an invitation to extend the degree in order to take an extra year of a teaching assistantship. My research focused on performing standard didactic repertoire and my own original repertoire written using concepts from the aforementioned didactic repertoire. In my final recital, I performed Book 6 of Béla Bartók's Mikrokosmos, selections from J.S. Bach's Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, and my original composition, Handbook, which featured both deterministic and improvised sections. After experiencing a playing-related injury, my research included the additional element of understanding the Taubman approach to piano playing, particularly utilising Bartók's Mikrokosmos and Bach's didactic works such as the Inventions, and Das Wohltemperierte Klavier to explore these technical aspects. At the University of Alberta I won the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship, a prestigious award recognizing creativity and dedication in graduate student research. I also held a Teaching Assistantship for first-year theory for three years. I graduated in August 2024.

Qualifications

Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
November 1, 2023 - November 1, 2023
In November of 2023 I was awarded the Alberta Graduate Excellent Scholarship, a scholarship worth over ten thousand CAD and awarded based on departmental nomination. Link: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/fees-funding/scholarships-awards/alberta-graduate-excellenc e-scholarship.html /break

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Other, Professional Services

Skills

Fr
Freelance Gig
Mu
Music Theory
In
Instrumental
Vo
Vocal Feature
Vo
Vocal
See more

Experience Level

Freelance Gig
Expert
Music Theory
Expert
Instrumental
Expert
Vocal Feature
Expert
Vocal
Expert
Composition
Expert
Lead Vocal
Expert
Theme Tune
Expert
Jingle
Intermediate
Finale
Intermediate
Logic Pro
Intermediate
Soundtrack
Intermediate
Acapella
Intermediate
GarageBand
Beginner
See more