Piano Lessons
Ready to Learn Piano? Let’s go!
How I Teach
Teach music, not just piano! I believe my job is not just to teach piano, but to cultivate in my students a general love and appreciation for music. This means not just teaching them to read music or wiggle their fingers - but exposing them to a wide variety of music, discussing its history and heritage, and of course introducing them to the great masters.
Each student requires a unique approach. I do not subscribe to a "method" or "school" of piano playing. Each student is different, so each student requires a different approach. My job is to ascertain each student's particular strengths and weaknesses, and teach them accordingly.
Patience! In my years of teaching piano, I have never once berated a student for not understanding something, or being unable to play something. The reason is very simple: that's my fault, not theirs! There is always another way to explain something so the student will understand it. As the teacher, it's my job to find it!
Teach skills, not songs! My job is to help my students acquire all the skills they need to be able to achieve their musical goals on their own. I hope that each of my students can one day say to me, "Thanks for all your help, but I don't need you anymore!"
Skills I Teach
Music reading. Teaching students to read music is the most important part of my job, because it can be applied not just to piano, but to any instrument and any musical goals the student wishes to pursue.
Proper piano technique. Once my students have learned the basics of music reading, we turn our attention to building finger strength and dexterity, using finger exercises such as Hanon or Fingerpower. We begin each lesson with a few of these exercises.
Scales, arpeggios & chord progressions. By about the second year of lessons, I require all my students to learn all the major and minor scales and arpeggios, as well as the standard chord progressions. Once a student has begun these, they are an integral part of every lesson, no matter how advanced the student.
Ear Training. To be a good musician, one must have a good ear! My students work on their ear training in the Music Lab, a computer located in my waiting room.
Sight reading. An essential skill, yet difficult to teach and often neglected. Once my students have acquired a rudimentary grasp of scales and arpeggios, we will begin spending a few minutes in each lesson working on sight reading.
Chord charts. As part of our work on chord progressions, I teach all my students how to read chord charts. This is an invaluable skill if a student wishes to play in a band, or accompany a singer.
Music Theory . I try to incorporate as much theory into each lesson as possible, applying it to the music we are working on.
Good practice habits. Practicing the piano means more than just putting in a certain number of minutes or repetitions. It means using one's time as efficiently as possible. Learning the piano involves an enormous variety of technical challenges, and each challenge requires a different approach, a different practice method, to master. I emphasize this very strongly to my students.
Demonstrate how learning music applies to other areas of life. When you learn music, you're actually learning an art form, a foreign language, time management, a sport involving enormous physical coordination, and a slew of other skills! I try to show how learning piano develops skills that can be applied nearly everywhere in life, whether it's public speaking, studying for an exam, or learning a new language.
Live Lessons
Nothing beats live one-on-one instruction!
Professional studio with a 6’1” grand piano.
Comfortable waiting room.
Free & easy parking.
I supply all necessary lesson materials for purchase.
Virtual Lessons
Since the pandemic, we have all had to adapt to changing times. In April 2020, I began offering virtual lessons. Today, even with the worst of the pandemic behind us, some people still prefer the convenience of learning piano virtually.
Features
Uses Google Meet - no account required!
Easy to use: just open a link to start the lesson!
HD video & professional-quality audio.
Electronic billing makes payment safe and easy.
100% safe - no masks, no worries!
What You Need
A piano or keyboard.
A reliable Internet connection.
A device with a webcam (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
Payment Options
Pay online by debit or credit card.
I use Quickbooks Payment Processing to handle credit and debit card transactions. Your monthly invoice will include a link to pay online. Simply click the link and follow the instructions. Simple and secure!
Set up automatic payments.
The easiest payment method of all. Simply choose a debit or credit card, allow me to enter it into Quickbooks - and your monthly payments will be processed automatically!
Pay by check.
Tried and true! Simply bring a check to your first lesson of the month.
Studio Policies
Calendar and Scheduling
Holidays. The studio will be closed for all federal holidays, and no lessons will be billed. However, the studio does not follow the local public school calendar, so please do not assume that because the schools are closed, the studio is closed as well. However, if the schools are closed and you will be unable to attend a lesson, please give me appropriate notice and you will be credited for the lesson.
Events. Recitals and other special events will be posted to this website, and you will be notified about them, no less than a month in advance.
Inclement weather. If the studio will be closed due to inclement weather, I will notify you via phone and email by 1:00 p.m. that day, or 2 hours before your lesson, whichever is earlier. Please do not assume that because the schools are closed due to weather, that the studio will be closed as well. If you have not received notification from me and you feel the weather is too dangerous to travel, please contact me and we will make alternate arrangements.
Billing and Payment
Lessons are billed monthly.
Invoices are sent on the 27th of the preceding month.
You will receive a separate credit memo for any canceled lessons you have been credited for.
Payment is due by the 10th of the month.
Invoices may be sent via regular mail, or via email as PDF attachments.
Absences and Cancelations
If a lesson is canceled due to a planned vacation, and I am given at least 7 days notice, you will be credited for the lesson. Limit twice per semester.
If a lesson is canceled due to an emergency, either a make-up lesson will be offered or you will be credited for the lesson. Emergencies include: Illness or injury to the student or an immediate family member, a death in the family, or car trouble.
If a lesson is canceled due to a non-emergency and no make-up lesson can be scheduled, you will be charged for the lesson. Non-emergencies include: sporting events, social occasions, family outings, or lack of practice.
If the student is absent from the lesson and I am not notified ahead of time, you will be charged for the lesson.
If I am absent from a lesson for any reason, you will be credited for the lesson.
Lesson Books and Materials
I will provide all necessary lesson books and supplemental materials for purchase.
Books and other materials purchased will be included in the following month's invoice.
Prolonged Absences
If the student suffers a serious injury or illness (such as a broken bone), or a major family emergency, I will credit up to one month of lessons, and the student will be guaranteed the same lesson time upon returning.
Under no circumstances can I guarantee to hold a student’s lesson time for longer than one month.
Discontinuing Lessons
Student may discontinue lessons at any time, and I will credit the balance of the account. Advance notice would be appreciated, but is not required.
I reserve the right to discontinue lessons with any student due to lack of interest or practice, bad behavior, or delinquent payments.