Amber Tarling ARCT, BMT, MTA

I am a piano teacher, a music therapist, a singer, an accompanist, and an arranger. As a music teacher, I am honoured and grateful to be able to share my love for music with so many students, regardless of their age or ability. I have been teaching piano for 26 years, and I believe that my passion, my knowledge, my authenticity, and my experience is what separates me from the rest.
 
Playing piano since the age of four, I began teaching group piano lessons in Burnaby, British Columbia in 1995 and opened the doors to my private home studio in 2005, where I presently teach. I completed my Bachelor's degree of Music Therapy at Capilano University in 2003 and 
my Associate of the Royal Conservatory (
ARCT) Teacher's Pedagogy Diploma in 2007. While completing my music therapy internship in long-term care, I spent several summers working as the head Music Therapist at Camp Towhee in Haliburton, Ontario, a residential therapeutic camp for children and youth with learning disabilities and related psychosocial challenges. I also began teaching primary music for Urban Academy in New Westminster, BC after obtaining my Independent School Teacher's Certificate. I then went on to work for several years in Port Moody, British Columbia with Skylark Therapy, a multi-faceted therapy centre for children with developmental delays and speech impairments, as the team's music therapist. I am currently working as a contract music therapist with the Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre, working with families with neurodiverse children and those facing mental health challenges. 

In addition to running a busy music studio, I am a member of the all-women's Barbershop acapella group, Lions Gate Chorus. We placed 2nd in the world at the International Sweet Adelines convention in New Orleans in 2019! I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, gardening, doing yoga, and downhill skiing. I also love cuddling with our two cats, Wolfgang and Yo-Yo Ma, our dog, Ryaah, and our Velveteen rabbit, Stanley.

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Location

The music studio is located inside our Coquitlam home, on the ground level floor with easy access to a covered entrance way.

We live in the beautiful Ranch Park area of east Coquitlam, British Columbia, in the heart of the Tri-Cities. 

We are a short drive from the Coquitlam Centre mall, and easily accessible by transit.