Piano Lessons
Are you looking to learn how to play the piano or improve your skills? Look no further! I am a trained and experienced piano teacher with a passion for helping students of all ages and skill levels develop their piano-playing abilities.
Lessons are taught in my acoustically-treated studio on a beautiful 9-ft Grotrian concert grand piano. A rare opportunity for most people to play, only 20 Grotrian concert grands are made each year, and are revered as some of the best pianos in the world. Grotrian’s history dates back to 1835 when Henrich Steinweg (Henry Steinway) built its first factory, before later emigrating to the United States, changing his name, and founding the Steinway Piano company. In Germany, where the company remains, it is still known as “Grotrian-Steinweg”.
Piano lessons at your own home are also a possibility depending on your location and subject to a travel fee, or I am also available for remote lessons online.
My Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching centers around the belief that my job is to teach you not just to be a student, but to be your own teacher: to understand the root elements of learning so that every note, the space between the notes, and even mistakes, are prime opportunities for inspiration and growth. It isn’t the case that “practice makes perfect” but only that “perfect practice makes perfect.” Therefore, lessons regularly focus just as much on the art of learning and practicing and becoming your own teacher as they are in the art of music.
In this way, I find that learning music effectively builds skills that benefit us all in nearly all areas of life: emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually: learning music develops students’ understanding of their mind-body connection, of how to efficiently learn, communicate, collaborate, imagine, and create to the best of their abilities. I enjoy working with all ages of students, helping to build a passion and a structure for developing their musical skills. Every student is unique and so each student’s lessons will be tailored to their own goals, musical interests, and learning styles.
How long are lessons?
Piano lessons are offered in 30, 45, 60, or 90 minute intervals once or twice per week. All ages are welcome - lesson length will depend upon the age of student and the ability to remain engaged (how many 6-year-olds can you keep seated for an hour?). Twice-a-week lessons are suggested for any student wishing to start the regular habit of good practicing and great playing!
Who gets to take lessons?
Anyone! I enjoy teaching piano lessons to adults and children alike. Children can generally start learning after 6 years of age but sometimes it can be beneficial to start earlier. There is never a maximum age because studying piano brings out the child in everyone - but more mature students will get the opportunity to dive deeper into musicality, music theory, and music history.
What is my role as a parent of a piano student?
Parents hold an integral role in the musical development of most students. While the joy of music comes from within thus bringing a desire to play, the concept of regular, daily practice or routine is foreign to most young children. It is important for parents to determine the time of the day their child is most suited to practicing and to encourage them to develop a habit of practicing at that time each day (For new students, I recommend starting with 20 minutes before school or just after having a snack after getting back from school). Parents are welcome to observe lessons to help aid their child in the learning process.
Do I really need to practice every day?
Yes!! Playing the piano is a skill that requires a certain level of dedication to regular practice. Students should seek to practice a regular time each day - typically earlier in the day is better.
Lessons are taught in my acoustically-treated studio on a beautiful 9-ft Grotrian concert grand piano. A rare opportunity for most people to play, only 20 Grotrian concert grands are made each year, and are revered as some of the best pianos in the world. Grotrian’s history dates back to 1835 when Henrich Steinweg (Henry Steinway) built its first factory, before later emigrating to the United States, changing his name, and founding the Steinway Piano company. In Germany, where the company remains, it is still known as “Grotrian-Steinweg”.
Piano lessons at your own home are also a possibility depending on your location and subject to a travel fee, or I am also available for remote lessons online.
My Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching centers around the belief that my job is to teach you not just to be a student, but to be your own teacher: to understand the root elements of learning so that every note, the space between the notes, and even mistakes, are prime opportunities for inspiration and growth. It isn’t the case that “practice makes perfect” but only that “perfect practice makes perfect.” Therefore, lessons regularly focus just as much on the art of learning and practicing and becoming your own teacher as they are in the art of music.
In this way, I find that learning music effectively builds skills that benefit us all in nearly all areas of life: emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually: learning music develops students’ understanding of their mind-body connection, of how to efficiently learn, communicate, collaborate, imagine, and create to the best of their abilities. I enjoy working with all ages of students, helping to build a passion and a structure for developing their musical skills. Every student is unique and so each student’s lessons will be tailored to their own goals, musical interests, and learning styles.
How long are lessons?
Piano lessons are offered in 30, 45, 60, or 90 minute intervals once or twice per week. All ages are welcome - lesson length will depend upon the age of student and the ability to remain engaged (how many 6-year-olds can you keep seated for an hour?). Twice-a-week lessons are suggested for any student wishing to start the regular habit of good practicing and great playing!
Who gets to take lessons?
Anyone! I enjoy teaching piano lessons to adults and children alike. Children can generally start learning after 6 years of age but sometimes it can be beneficial to start earlier. There is never a maximum age because studying piano brings out the child in everyone - but more mature students will get the opportunity to dive deeper into musicality, music theory, and music history.
What is my role as a parent of a piano student?
Parents hold an integral role in the musical development of most students. While the joy of music comes from within thus bringing a desire to play, the concept of regular, daily practice or routine is foreign to most young children. It is important for parents to determine the time of the day their child is most suited to practicing and to encourage them to develop a habit of practicing at that time each day (For new students, I recommend starting with 20 minutes before school or just after having a snack after getting back from school). Parents are welcome to observe lessons to help aid their child in the learning process.
Do I really need to practice every day?
Yes!! Playing the piano is a skill that requires a certain level of dedication to regular practice. Students should seek to practice a regular time each day - typically earlier in the day is better.