PRESENTATION OF TEACHER OF DISTINCTION AWARD TO JEAN RITTER
Dr. Peter Simon, President and CEO The Royal Conservatory of Music
We will now present the Royal Conservatory Teacher of Distinction awards.
This award is given to teachers across Canada who are recognized as leaders in the field of music education. Through their years of teaching experience, the recipients provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music in their students. RCM Teachers of Distinction are an inspiration to others and are influential in creating a brighter future for music education.
Today this award will be given to Abbotsford piano teacher Jean Ritter.
Jean is an RCM Certified Teacher with advanced-level specializations in piano and theory. She describes music education as one of the best gifts anyone could ever hope to receive—Jean has been giving this gift to her students for nearly 50 years. Through her knowledge, enthusiasm, and caring approach, Jean has fostered a love of music in generations of students. She considers it a privilege to work with children, which she considers “peoples’ greatest treasure,” though she welcomes students of all ages and abilities into her studio. Her only requirement, as she puts it, is that laughter must be present at every lesson. Jean is incredibly proud of the students of hers who have won Royal Conservatory Gold Medals. As well as the many others who have followed in her footsteps and become music teachers.
The extent of Jean's impact is a testament to her ability to maintain strong relationships with students, both past and present. She has built and maintained these relationships because she cares about her students as individuals. In the words of one past student, Jean “poured as much thought into my personality, psyche, and daily living as she [did] into the intricacies of the score.” Another stated that Jean “listens to our hopes and dreams and believes in us, reminding us of our strengths when we doubt ourselves.” While Jean has been changing the lives of music students for 48 years, she doesn't expect to stop anytime soon. As long as she has the energy, she will always teach.
Jean, for the passion you have demonstrated for your students, as well as for music education, it gives me great pleasure to name you an RCM Teacher of Distinction.
