Welcome to piano lessons!

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Music has been such a joy for me my entire life and I have always loved the piano!  I believe that everyone has their own unique set of abilities, styles and musical interests.  Teaching private lessons allow me to get know each person's learning styles, strengths, and musical tastes so they can move at their own pace and enjoy the journey!

Even though I teach to the individual, I believe in a strong foundation of music education and good technique.  I use The Piano Adventures Curriculum and I love it!!  

I also  supplement with various types of music that interests my students.  I use a lot of popular and various other styles of music from my very large music library that I have acquired over the years so we can play songs that are familiar and are fun.  We will also learn to play "by ear" and learn to improvise and create our own sounds.

 A weekly piano lesson will not create a pianist if it is not combined with regular practice at home.  The hardest part is just getting to the piano.  Once you’re there, the rest is easy!  Missing a day or two isn’t a problem,  but consistency is the key!

It is important to PLAY EVERY DAY but in shorter sessions.  Personally, I sit down multiple times each day for about 20 minutes each time.

BEGINNERS - 

Play through your songs and exercises 2-3 times per day.  It's not how long you practice, it's how often!

AS YOU PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNER LEVEL:

1. Determine when the best time of the day is to practice and make it part of your daily

routine.

2. Practice for 20-30 minutes at a time, then take a short break and come back to it if

you want to spend more time practicing. If you have patience to practice longer than

30 minutes, go for it!

3. The quality of your practice session is more important than how long you work at it.

However, the more you practice - the more you will improve.

4. Spend time on scales, exercises and technique as part of your daily practice.

5. Take time to practice with a steady beat like a metronome, jam track or drum machine to check your rhythm. 

6. Play slowly and controlled to avoid teaching yourself bad habits. Go slow until you can

learn your part without any mistakes then work towards full speed.

7.  Set mini goals to help you accomplish bigger music goals.

8.  If you run into trouble and have a question while you are practicing, write it down. Then

we can talk about it at the next lesson.

9. Take some time to be creative and have fun. Exercise your creativity.

10. Practicing is different from playing. Both are important. Learn to separate practicing

time from playing time and try to maintain a good balance at your instrument.

Whether you have an acoustic piano or a digital piano there are a few important things to know!

ACOUSTIC PIANO –  Please make sure you have your piano tuned and all of the keys and pedals are in working condition.  Please ask if you need help finding a local piano technician.

DIGITAL PIANO –   Please make sure your piano has 88 WEIGHTED keys and a sustain pedal.

PLEASE NOTE - The smaller unweighted keyboards are inexpensive but promote poor technique habits!  This is a slippery slope that is very hard to recover from!  I only accept students who have either of the options listed above.

If you need help finding an instrument, please let me know.  I am always happy to help navigate the market.  If you purchase a digital piano and find out that you are no longer wanting it, I will personally help with your resale!  

I am thrilled to be partnered  with John Mangiameli  at this Academy.

We are located off of US 101 just west of Carlsborg Rd.  

Our Academy is on the east side of the building opposite The Goat and The Radish and next door to MerMutts dog water therapy. 

(Our sign is not ready yet so the sign over the doors still says "Reality Homes")

I teach weekly lessons.

RATES –   (new rates as of 2025 reflected below)

30 minutes / $35

45 minutes / $45

60 minutes / $55 (2 students from the same household can share an hour)
Music is not included    

WAITING LIST:

My teaching schedule is currently full and I schedule new students from my waiting list.  

The wait can be anywhere from a few months to a year or more depending on the student's flexibility.  

Please contact me to be added to my waiting list.

DROP IN LESSONS:

This option is something new and has been working well for adult students with some experience and a flexible schedule.  It's great if you don't need a lesson every week .  I can book you into a cancellation time slot as they become available.

You can also schedule single lessons if you are  just looking for some tips or help with a particular song.