Dr. Krissy Keech, an Applied Instructor at Acadia University’s School of Music, was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teacher Association.

While this honour relates to her private teaching practice, Dr. Keech brings that same award-winning passion and talent to Acadia University where her students benefit immensely from her experience and approach to teaching music.

“I believe that musical creativity is within the grasp of everyone and actually strengthens the learning of the fundamentals,” said Dr. Keech. “Therefore, including improvisation, arranging, and composition at all stages of learning are key to my teaching philosophy. Musical creativity is also fun and immensely fulfilling!”

It’s a learning approach that informed her doctoral research and has been realized over a 25-year career as a piano instructor. Dr. Keech began giving lessons as a teenager and soon earned a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Acadia where she studied under Professor John Hansen. She then went to McGill, eventually receiving her master’s and Ph.D. While her university training is in classical music, she’s proven to be a talented pianist and instructor in a variety of styles, including jazz, blues, folk, congregational, show tunes, and pop.

Dr. Keech first joined Acadia in 2014 as a part-time lecturer. Her approach to teaching recognizes each individual’s differences while supporting what she has come to realize are nearly universal truths about her students.

“I believe that with a growth mindset, proper support, and effective strategies, the majority of us are unstoppable.”

Upon receiving the Teacher of the Year award from the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teacher Association, Dr. Keech kept it short and sweet.

“I am so touched by this recognition, proud of the work that led me here, and humbled by those honoured previously.”

Want to get the Acadia experience with Dr. Krissy Keech?

Dr. Keech teaches Beginner (MUSI 181A/B-01) and Intermediate (181A/B-02) Comprehensive Keyboard, which are musicianship courses for theory, ear-training, and piano functionality, Practising Music (MUSI 1823), which is dedicated to the science and strategies of improving your craft, Global Music Pedagogy (MUSI 3383), which explores multiple ways across genres and around the globe that music is taught, and Applied Piano (MUSI 1663 through 4663), which are one-on-one lessons.