Fidaa A. — Singing Teacher — Mile End, Montreal

Fidaa is a singer, songwriter, composer, and violinist whose relationship with music began at a very young age. She started studying music formally at the age of six, and music has remained an essential part of her life ever since. Today, she is pursuing a PhD in psychology with a focus on music cognition, bringing together two fields she is deeply passionate about: music and psychology. Her musical background bridges both Western and Middle Eastern traditions. She has extensive training in Western music theory, including scales, harmony, rhythm, solfège, and musical structure, as well as Arabic and Middle Eastern music theory, including maqams and modal systems. She loves sharing both traditions with her students and helping them not only learn an instrument or develop their voice, but also understand the music behind what they are performing. As a vocalist, Fidaa has experience across a variety of styles, including classical and operatic singing, pop, jazz, and Arabic music, and enjoys singing in different languages. She is also a trained violinist and teaches piano to beginners. Fidaa is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, and also speaks Spanish at an intermediate level and Turkish at a beginner level. Her multilingual and multicultural background allows her to connect with students from a wide range of backgrounds and musical traditions. Her teaching approach is warm, structured, and highly personalized. She places particular importance on developing vocal technique, musicality, confidence, and, above all, the joy of making music. Drawing on her background in both music and psychology, Fidaa strives to create an encouraging and supportive learning environment where students can progress at their own pace, explore their creativity, and gradually develop their own musical identity.

Voice: Each lesson includes work on posture and breathing, followed by vocal exercises and work on a song, either chosen by the student or suggested by the teacher based on their level and goals. Approximately every two sessions, a new vocal technique is introduced and practiced, such as vibrato, dynamics (piano/forte), crescendo and decrescendo, projection, breath control, and more. I also support students who wish to develop their own musical projects, guiding them from the initial idea to its realization through songwriting, composition, arrangement, and the development of their own artistic identity. Violin: Lessons begin with work on posture and proper instrument position, followed by a technical warm-up that includes scales and exercises adapted to the student’s level. The second part of the lesson focuses on learning and developing a musical piece. I primarily draw on the Suzuki Method and its repertoire while placing a strong emphasis on music reading. Students learn to read sheet music, recognize notes, and gradually understand the theoretical concepts behind the pieces they perform. Piano: Piano lessons, primarily designed for beginners, follow a similar structure: posture and technique, warm-up, exercises, and then learning a musical piece. Lessons are supported by practical and theoretical learning materials. The goal is to develop piano technique, music reading skills, and an understanding of the fundamentals of music theory simultaneously.