Barb Carruthers

Barb Carruthers serves as Piano Faculty at Academy & APP, bringing over two decades of dedicated music education experience since 2002. She teaches students of all ages, specializing in preparation for recitals, Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exams, festivals, and auditions while fostering profound musical communication.

Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Music and Fine Arts Diploma in Kodály Pedagogy from the University of Calgary, where she studied advanced ear training with Janos Horvath and composition with David Eagle. Her piano pedagogy was shaped by Marilyn Engle, Kathy Dornian, Vladimir Levtov, and Mariko Sato.

Carruthers' instructional approach integrates the Kodály Method across piano education through her proprietary 2-level program. She develops musicians who master effortless technique, analytical skills, internal hearing, and composer-focused interpretation. Her philosophy centers on transforming mechanical practice into meaningful self-expression through efficient home study methods and deep musical understanding.

As an educator trainer, she equips new teachers with curriculum planning strategies, injury prevention techniques, and mental practicing methodologies. Her private lessons maintain a professional rate structure of $79.00/hour or $39.50/half-hour, emphasizing partnership in achieving individual student goals through personalized artistic development.