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. Most recently, I've taken on a contract position with the VSO School of Music as an Early Years teacher, beginning Fall 2023. 

In my spare time, I sing with 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 and are competing in Louisville, Kentucky in November 2023. I enjoy reading, gardening, skiing, and spending time outdoors with my 3 children and husband. I also love cuddling with our two cats, Wolfgang and Yo-Yo Ma, our dog, Ryaah, and our three buns, Stanley, Mi-mi, and Hidey.

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.