Bill Costin: Instructor

Bill has a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) from U.B.C., was recognized on the Dean's list at North Texas State University Jazz Studies program where he studied with Dan Hearle, Rich Matheson, Jack Peterson, and Paris Rutherford,

He spent two years previously at Malaspina College's Jazz program in Nanaimo, B.C. under private jazz piano instructors: Louise Rose, and Gerry Bryant and jazz theory and history instructor, Steve Jones.

He is currently studying for his ARCT with the Royal Conservatory Of Music In Toronto (under Edward Parker), and with the jazz pianist and educator, Andy Laverne.

He has extensive experience and study in jazz, rock, musical theatre, and pop piano. Of course, any young student needs to start with the basics: classical repetoire including theory, sight reading, and history.

Bill currently teaches piano at Vancouver Island University Music School as well as private piano tuition in Nanaimo and Vancouver and musical theatre at Harbour Dance in Vancouver.

  • Vancouver Island University Music Department
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  • Royal Conservatory Examinations
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  • Harbour Dance
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    Jazz Studies Reference List (click on titles for more info):

  • Metaphors for the Musician
  • Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players
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  • Tons of Runs
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  • How To Learn Tunes
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  • Bill Evans Plays Standards
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  • Jazzstandards.com
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    Vancouver Island University Jazz Piano Course:

  • Piano_Jury_-_Technical_Requirements Evaluation Form (2009)
  • JAZZ JURY TUNE LIST (2009)
  • Diminished Scales PDF file
  • Voicings PDF file
  • Major Scale Fingerings PDF file
  • Harmonic Minor Scale Fingerings PDF file
  • So What PDF file
  • Passion Dance PDF file

    • Bill's Top Ten Favorite Jazz Albums: (click on titles for more info):

  • Night Train (Oscar Peterson Trio)
  • Portait in Jazz (Bill Evans Trio)
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  • Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock)
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  • Light as a Feather (Chic Corea)
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  • Headhunters (Herbie Hancock)
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  • At the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings (Keith Jarrett)
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  • The Piano (Herbie Hancock)
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  • Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces Volume 8 (Art Tatum)
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  • Wheelin' (John Coltrane)
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  • New Standard (Herbie Hancock)
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  • Andy Laverne's Website link to hundreds of great jazz albums for your collection
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    Bill's favorite self help books (click on titles for more info):

  • The Artist's Way
  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
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  • Effortless Mastery
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  • The Power of Now
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  • What Color Is Your Parachute?
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  • First Things First
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  • Clutter Control
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    Diet/Exercise (click on titles for more info):

  • Eating Alive
  • Fit or Fat
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  • Stephanie Foster: Beginners and Intermediate Yoga (DVD)
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