Biography

Steve Quinlan showed a keen interest in music from an early age. At 6 years old, Steve was encouraged by his grade 1 teacher to take music lessons. Steve’s parents enrolled him in private piano lessons for 2 years. Steve never forgot those lessons learned. When Steve was 10 years old, he joined the elementary school band. The tuba chose him. Life changed swiftly after that. In the same year Steve was promoted to the senior elementary school band and joined a community concert band. The following year, grade 6, when Steve was 11, he started Tuba lessons with Dennis Miller, then the principal tubist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Dennis was Steve’s mentor, idol, confidant and friend. A large part of Steve’s life centred around the Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM). Steve attended music history and music theory for several years at VAM. Steve has travelled to the Okanagan, The Lower Mainland, and Quebec City, Canada performing music. In all, 15 years were devoted to the pursuit of everything musical. Steve performed with several orchestras, one semi-professionally, numerous concert bands, brass quintets and other small ensembles including jazz bands, new music ensembles, and smaller. Steve has won several awards over the years to reward his hard work and dedication.

Over the years, Steve has picked up the electric bass guitar, the guitar and piano.

This CD represents a continuing and new chapter in Steve’s eternal musical pursuit. From age 16, Steve composed music. None of his works were completed nor were they performed. This CD is his first published work.

Teaching Philosophy

English is one of the most common languages in the world. When is the best time to learn a language? What are the best techniques? Well, without going into a doctorate discertation on the topics, the real world answer is anytime and in a vast myriad of circumstances and techniques through a variety of media.

The acquisition of language(s) is lifelong. No matter where you come from, you need to develop the skills to communicate. For most people it is enough to learn your mother tongue. You can spend the rest of your life perfecting it. Once you have mastered it, then you can play and experiment with it, in the form of poetry, music or multimedia collaborations.

Really, who even has time to learn a second language?

At the moment when you first learn your mother tongue, it is very possible to introduce a second language simultaneously. There are studies that show that this occurs while the CHILD IS IN THE WOMB. So, it is advantageous to introduce a second or even a third language while the fetus is still developing. It is beneficial to the child if the parents use the 2nd or third language in everyday usage so the child can hear, mimic and imitate the rhythms and vocalizations. An example of this occurs when an interracial couple produce offspring. The only important caveat is – speak the 2nd and/or 3rd language as if it is your mother tongue – do not combine the languages in one sentence as this creates unclear and awkward communication. Remember, this is what the child will hear, mimic and imitate.

Children learn best when they are not being taught, that is, when the “lessons” are like play and a lot less like school.

This CD has fun songs and chants for children and their parents to discover, practice and learn. Through repetition the child will learn English. This CD is for anyone, but the primary focus is on pre-born to about 8 or 9 years.