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Proudly representing SAMICK Pianos since 1994!

SAMICK MUSIC CORPORATION today is a giant of a Music Industry that is a major owner of a prestigious German BECHSTEIN Piano Company. SAMICK Family of Pianos includes Kohler & Campbell, Sohmer & Co, Wm. Knabe & Co. and more. Fantastic New line of digital pianos by SAMICK, KOHLER DIGITALS, is a result of partnership between SAMICK and renowned electronic instrument leader KORG. 

The story of the piano begins in Padua, Italy in 1700, in the shop of a harpsichord maker named Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori (1655-1731). Originally called the gravicembalo col piano e forte (roughly "soft and loud keyboard instrument"), it represented a leap in technology over existing keyboard instruments such as the spinet, the virginal, the clavecin, the gravicembalo and the harpsichord. And of course, it has made possible countless artistic innovations in the three centuries that followed...

"Affordable excellence inspired by family tradition"  Where, when and why it all started... 

Raised in a musical family, and living in a country with exceptionally rich musical tradition, just steps away from major European musical mega-cities, Boris was first introduced to piano in Zagreb, Croatia, by his grandfather, Franc - church organist, choir director, teacher and pianist, a true baroque repertoire lover. Franc Hrovat has performed and taught in his native Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, and from 1903 to 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.  To this day Boris remembers his passionate performances of J.S. Bach’s works. Boris' grandmothers both played piano and sang. Boris’s father, a physician, despite his early death, is remembered as a passionate bandoneon virtuoso and multilingual vocalist, and his brother, Raymond, Boris’ uncle, is a retired conductor, arranger and university music professor. His son, Boris’s cousin Dr.Vladimir Hrovat (Mus.PhD), National Philharmonic Orchestra Concert-Master (violinist) is also a recording artist, conductor, pianist and educator in demand. Both Boris’s mother and her sister played and taught piano and Boris especially credits them for all the input, coaching, support and the necessary encouragement on his path from his early beginnings to the fuller understanding of the "power of music". His aunt Lillian is a retired performance professor, concert pianist, recording artist and author of many recognized performance-related publications, and his mother is a piano and music teacher, and early childhood music education specialist. Boris remains grateful to his mother for instilling in him the seeds of creative exploration, ideals and values towards the excellence in music and in life, with strong emphasis on the values of honesty, trust, perseverance, friendship and above all – family.

   WELCOME to...                                                                              (Back to top)

Clarkson Piano Centre

Established 1980                                            In Canada since 1994

"Affordable Excellence Inspired By Family Tradition"

We would like to take this opportunity to express our warmest and sincerest THANKS to all our valued customers, students and their families.  Your patronage and loyalty are deeply appreciated. At this time, we would like to remember our wonderful and dear friends, neighbours, colleagues, and their families: Your care, extensive and continuous support and encouragement are true blessings!  It is ALL OF YOU who have contributed to the continues growth and success of our business that is happening against many odds, uncertainties, unpredictable life and  obstacles. IT IS ALL OF YOU who have made us truly enjoy living and working in this great country of Canada which we now call – our home! 

      Musically Yours, The Hrovat Family

A Forte Note ♪by Boris & Vesna Hrovat

It is all in Black & White: Piano for children and adults alike is about the attention, creativity, coordination, confidence, working habits, learning strategies, aesthetic perception, perseverance, achievement, stress-relief... that translates into a more successful, happier, healthier  and better life. For every adult that plays the piano, there are hundreds, if not thousands others who wish they can do the same. The difference does not lie in the natural talent. The ones who play were given the opportunity and the necessary encouragement from a loving parent who had the vision of what will be of worth to their child in future years. Inspire and guide your children to persevere because making music is a gift that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. At Forte Academy of Music we are firm believers in musical and non-musical benefits of study of music and music’s special means and powers. Therefore our approach focuses on MORE then the great music training: We are focused on helping our students achieve great SUCCESS in MUSIC and in LIFE!   

Piano – A Sound Investment For Your Family:

PIANO TRAINING HAS LASTING REWARDS   

A PIANO ADDS MORE THAN JUST SOPHISTICATION TO A ROOM…  

There is an undeniably strong correlation between music education and the development of skills that children  need to become successful in life!

Self-discipline, patience, sensitivity, coordination, and the ability to memorize and concentrate are all enhanced in the study of music. These skills will follow your child on whatever path he or she chooses in life! YOU have the chance now to introduce a formative influence that may be second  only to the love you give your child.  

If you’re looking for a way to provide your child with a source of life-long joy, satisfaction, and accomplishment, childhood music education is THE BEST first step! 

And, THE PIANO is THE BEST first instrument. No other single instrument matches the piano  for its broad application of musical concepts. Even if later your child chooses to play another instrument, the melody, rhythm and sense of harmony acquired with piano education will pay handsomely!!!

Repeatedly medical and child development experts document that piano training has a direct effect on the development of the brain’s neural circuitry, actually improving intellectual development.  

It has long been known that musically educated children develop skills they carry into adulthood.

It is amazing how many professionals , particularly from the scientific and medical community (Just like Boris - licensed, practicing dental surgeon in his home-land, the founder and the owner of the Clarkson Piano Centre &  Forte Academy of Music) are so often well trained and skilled pianists/musicians. Could that be just a …coincidence?  

As your child’s musical education continues and extends to …taking exams, playing in recitals or in competitions, one reward is the special camaraderie that often blooms between young musicians. This can often lead to friendships that last for years to come. THE PIANO can also be a source of stability in the turbulent teenage years. And as an adult, the poise and self-assurance developed by playing and performing at the piano has very tangible value in social and business worlds!  Of course, there is also the chance that your child has an exceptional musical talent, in which case a whole world of possibilities – both personal and professional – can be recognized and nurtured!  

With such clear evidence of the benefits of childhood piano education, the choice as to which piano to purchase still remains. It is highly advisable to buy the best piano you can afford. It stands to reason that the higher the quality of the piano, the better it will sound and feel! And that’s certainly encouragement to get your budding young pianist to play, play more often, and play longer! But, please, resist the temptation to pick up an old “clunker” or (what is even worse) an electronic keyboard as your first “piano”- After a recent study, a respected American Music College cautioned parents that..."Providing an electronic keyboard to a beginner piano student is like offering a remote-controlled toy-car to a beginner student-driver: Does not make sense, it is inadequate and misleading...Most beginner piano students give up on playing the piano at the point when acoustic piano is offered after the initial use of the keyboard that offers accordion-like keyboard..." Please think about all the efforts and costs associated with that scenario... 

Old , "as is"  pianos are no solution either: First steps in piano learning process are challenging enough even without having to deal with problems within the instrument itself such as squeaks, rattles, and /or inaccurate , uneven touch…It is also a very sad reality that starting a child taking piano lessons and having no  access to a piano for practice purposes, often leads to confusion, difficulties…and loss of interest in learning how to play a piano.

In fact, if an appropriate piano is unavailable , it is , most definitely, much better to start your child learning some other, more affordable instrument – isn’t a guitar a great  choice, for example (as long as your guitar is not like our guitar instructor's one- valued at $6000 US!!??)?                                                   (Back to top)

We at Clarkson Piano Centre are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive assistance in selecting THE BEST And THE MOST APPROPRIATE piano for YOU, and Your Family Needs at the LOWEST possible cost! Our goal is to assist you in selecting the best and the most adequate piano that meets your needs and fits your budget!