Creativity Inspires Us

Duff Piano Studios

A unique piano studio specializing in RCM, theory, early childhood music and composition located in South Walkerville.

 
 
 
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What We Do

Greg and Emily teach all levels of pianists from beginners up to ARCT (Royal Conservatory of Music). Every year our students participate in up to 3 recitals spaced throughout the school year. Our studio encourages students to compete in the Kiwanis Music Festival, the Sunshine Music Festival and the Spring Music Festival, sit for practical and theory exams with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and compose their own original pieces.

 
 

What People Are Saying About Us

 

We have worked with Greg for the last 15 years, putting both of our kids through piano lessons all the way to grade 8. They have learned so much more than simply piano playing. They have learned what it’s like to finish something, to set time aside to practice, and to work through problems at a young age. Through the gift of piano, he has been a mentor to my children and they are that much better for it. I highly recommend Greg for piano lessons. In fact Duff Piano Studios also work with adults as my husband took his grade 6 with Greg later in life, so not only do Greg and Emily work with kids, but really know the importance of lifelong learning. I cannot thank Duff Piano Studios enough for what they’ve brought to our family. ~ K. Pillon (parent)

Rating: ★★★★★

Duff Piano Studios is absolutely wonderful! Greg is highly skilled, professional, and a lovely person who is incredibly easy to work with. Duff Piano Studios offer a fantastic variety of opportunities, including several recitals, optional festivals, and unique, student-centered Master Classes each year.

Since starting lessons, our daughter has grown immensely in her technical ability, but more importantly, her confidence has soared. Greg fostered such a deep love for music in her that she’s even started exploring other instruments! A perfect balance of consistent, skilled instruction and an approachable, nurturing environment. We cannot recommend DPS highly enough! ~ S. Spencer (parent)

If you’re looking for a piano teacher who can make RCM preparation enjoyable, Greg is your guy!

Our daughter has been with him for two years now, and she has progressed at a faster pace than we anticipated.  We originally sought him out to get her ready for her grade 8 RCM exam, and while her technical skills have skyrocketed, the best part is that she actually has a blast at her lessons.

Greg’s great sense of humor keeps things light and keeps her motivated, even as the pieces get tougher. It’s such a relief to have found a teacher who can balance high-level prep with a lot of fun. We couldn't recommend him enough! ~ K. Fraser (parent)

My three daughters have studied with Mr. Greg for several years and absolutely love him. He gives them the freedom to choose their own songs and explore composition, while teaching strong technique and a deep understanding of each piece. Thanks to his expert and patient guidance, all three have earned First Class Honours with Distinction on every RCM exam and are now performing at an advanced level. He also dedicated a lot of effort preparing them for Kiwanis competitions. The girls wouldn't have made it this far without him. I cannot recommend him enough! ~ C. Li (parent)

I highly recommend Greg as a piano teacher. He’s patient, kind, funny, and incredibly professional, just like Emily. My daughter has been learning with Greg for seven years and counting, and he’s helped her grow both in confidence and skill.  Thanks to his guidance, she’s developed a solid understanding of piano basics and thoroughly enjoys playing. It’s a pleasure to watch her blossom into a talented artist. Thank you for all you do! ~ P. Badreddine (parent)

Greg taught my daughter piano for 13 years, to the point where she’s now able to teach it herself. Greg has a gift for connecting with his students and tapping into the teaching methods that will work best with each of them. He is talented, reliable and just a great person and teacher. I highly recommend him. ~ J. Cote (parent)

Our boys have been taking piano lessons with Greg for several years, and it has been such a wonderful experience. Greg is patient, professional, and truly cares about his students. Because of his encouragement and guidance, our boys have grown not only in their musical ability but also in their confidence. They’ve taken on musical opportunities and accomplishments that would not have been possible without Greg’s support. We are incredibly grateful to have him as their teacher. ~ T. Mazella (parent)

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a wonderful piano teacher for our daughter over 10 years ago. Both he and his wife teach piano, and together they create a warm, welcoming environment for their students and families. They are patient, kind, and truly dedicated to helping each student grow not only as a musician but also in confidence and love for music. Their calm and encouraging teaching style makes lessons enjoyable and motivating. They take the time to understand each child’s learning style and ensure that every student feels supported and proud of their progress. It’s clear that they genuinely care about their students and the families they work with. Their reliability and professionalism give parents great peace of mind, and their passion for teaching shines through in every lesson. The recitals show the best of their dedication to all students. Thanks to their guidance, our child has developed a real love for music and always looks forward to piano lessons. We are so grateful for their patience, encouragement, and dedication, and we highly recommend them to any family looking for caring, committed and talented piano teachers. - K. Rabideau (parent)

Emily is an extremely talented and knowledgeable pianist and educator. She tailors the lessons and goals for your child, and meets them where they're at while continuing to push them forward. The learning is comprehensive, from composition to performance. These are not the rote lessons of scales and Mozart from your childhood! ~ A. Colombo (parent)

Emily is an outstanding instructor who truly understands how to teach children. They balance technical skill with creative engagement, ensuring that my kids are building a solid musical foundation while actually enjoying the process. It's been amazing to see how quickly their reading and rhythm have improved. ~ A. Abbas (parent)

Our 4 year old son Jack has been taking piano lessons with Miss Emily for over a year. We had realistic expectations sending a three year old into piano lessons, however, what Miss Emily has provided Jack is truly more than we could’ve asked or hoped for. Her expertise with children is evident as she has been able to pivot her teaching to truly meet a strong-willed preschooler where he is at each and every day. She is able to help him have fun while simultaneously helping him learn. We are impressed weekly that our 4 year old knows more about reading music than we do (he’s now teaching us!). And most importantly, he loves going to the caring, fun, warm, and educational environment Duff Piano Studios provides. We’d recommend their services to anyone.  - J& C. Hart (parents)

Our daughters have thrived under the guidance of Emily and Greg at Duff Piano Studios. Their deep musical knowledge, excellent teaching skills, and caring approach create an environment where our girls feel supported, confident, and excited to learn. Emily and Greg truly believe in their students, and that encouragement has made a lasting impact—our daughter often says, “I love piano lessons!” We’re grateful for the positive influence they’ve had on our family. ~ M. Ayoub (parent)

My son started taking piano lessons in our home from Emily at Duff Studios when he was ten years old. A year later, after watching his progress and how much fun he was having, I decided to start with lessons too. It had been forty years since I had played piano. Emily's skills, expertise and patience have made it possible for me to reach my musical goals while making lessons fun and joyful. By offering in-home, in-studio and virtual lessons, Duff Studios is able to accommodate the busiest of schedules to allow their clients to pursue their dreams. Whether teaching the youngest of children or the busiest of adults, with their decades of knowledge and experience, Emily and Greg make learning fun and engaging. You will have the opportunity to present your skills at regular recitals during which they incorporate ways to give back to the local community by fundraising and conducting food drives, amongst other initiatives. Duff Studios is the go-to piano studio for young and old alike! ~ Shannon (parent & student)

I have been an adult student at Duff Piano Studios for about four years, and the experience has been incredibly rewarding. When I first came to Greg, I was a relative beginner who could barely read sheet music, let alone play complex pieces. Greg has a rare talent for balancing patient guidance with just the right amount of firm encouragement. He has helped me work through challenging pieces and knows exactly when to push me to keep moving forward. His musical and technical abilities are exceptional, and I have learned a tremendous amount from him. Greg and Emily run a remarkable studio defined by both a deep commitment to their students and a strong sense of community. Participating in their annual Composition Challenge drew out creativity and musicianship in me that I didn’t realize I had. Their recitals also raise meaningful contributions for local charities. Although I have not studied directly with Emily, I have watched her coach students at recitals and have been struck by her empathy, patience, and encouragement. Together, Greg and Emily generously share their talents with their students and the broader community, making everyone involved better for it. ~ B. Vermette (student)

If you are looking for a conscientious, caring, intuitive, thorough and honest piano teacher, Greg Duff is the guy. We couldn’t be happier. Our 13-year-old is inspired to play and is reaching new levels of excellence and confidence as a musician since starting with him. I wish all teachers cared about music and their students the way Greg does. If I could travel back in time and have him be my piano teacher, I’d do it! ~ A. Rideout-Arkell (parent)

 
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Contact Us!

We love to answer questions about music - so please email us!  We'll make sure to get back to you.  

We like to have a meet and greet with new students prior to the first lesson! We offer zoom/google meets or face-to-face meet and greets. Fill out the form and we will get back to you to schedule a meeting!

Our Studio address is: 2095 Arras Ave, Windsor, ON N8W 1T4

 
 
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