He is best remembered for his work as a teacher, notably founding the Canadian Conservatory of Music in 1902 and serving as its director for 35 years.
The original score of his piano work Poème tragique is held at the Library and Archives Canada.
However, he had suffered from a severe case of stage fright which eventually forced him to abandon a performance career.
His brother-in-law, the multi-talented Donald Heins, was enlisted as a member of the faculty and became an instrumental part of the school's success.
Among his notable pupils were Yvon Barette, Joseph Beaulieu, Gladys Ewart, Johana Harris, and Hélène Landry.