Current

    Availability:

Availability:

Now accepting beginner and transfer students ages 5-18

Last updated: August 2017

 

About Piano Lessons:

     

      Although Michelle had been formally trained in the Pace and Suzuki Methods of piano teaching, she currently teaches in the "traditional" style. Lessons incorporate a variety of musical aspects, including:

 

Note-Reading

Written Theory

Aural Skills (Ear-Training)

Music History

Performance Practices/Musicianship

Technique

Transposition

Playing "By Ear"

How To Read Lead-Sheet Music

Improvisation

Memorization

Ensemble Playing (Duets, Etc.)


      Lessons are scheduled for 30-minutes, 45-minutes, or 1-hour sessions every week. Prospective students can be of any level (beginner-intermediate-expert), and ages ranging from 5-up.

 

      As a member of the American College of Musicians and National Guild of Piano Teachers, Michelle's students are invited to participate in the annual National Piano Playing Auditions. Though it is not mandatory, all students are encouraged to participate in the Annual National Piano Playing Auditions. The auditions are non-competitive and they create a great goal for students to work toward.



 

Lesson Policies:

 

      Students should arrive to their lesson on time, with all materials needed for their lesson (music books and assignment book). All theory homework should be completed prior to the lesson. Please wash your hands before the lesson if needed. No pets are allowed inside the studio.

 

      Lesson payments are made monthly, on the first lesson of each month. For example, if one month contains 4 weeks of lessons, payment for the combination of all 4 lessons are expected on the first lesson of that month. If lessons need to be rescheduled, please give notice at least 24-hours before the given lesson time in order to reschedule the lesson. Lessons that are cancelled within 24-hours of the lesson time will not be rescheduled, nor will payment be refunded.

 

      A detailed studio policy will be given to all students/parents.



 

What are the benefits to music lessons:

      It is well known that students who participate in instrumental lessons score higher than their non-instrumental peers in standardized tests, but did you know that music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school? A study done by Lewis Thomas, a physician and biologist, concluded that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, which is the highest percentage of any group - for comparison, only 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted into med school! Furthermore, a study of 7,500 university students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry, and math. A study conducted at the University of Texas concluded that college-aged musicians are emotionally healthier than their non-musician peers. This study, conducted on students who were in their first semester of college, consisted of three tests, measuring performance anxiety, emotional concerns, and alcohol related problems. In addition to having fewer "battles with the bottle", researchers also noted that the college-aged music students seemed to have surer footing when facing tests.

 

      Regardless of socioeconomic background, music-making students get higher marks in standardized tests than those who had no music involvement. A research study conducted in Rhode Island public schools showed that music training helps under-achievers. Students who lagged behind in scholastic performance were given ongoing music and visual arts training - not only did this group catch up to their fellow students in reading after seven months of "arts training", but they also surpassed their classmates in math by 22%. It was also noted that those students had an improvement in attitude and behavior. It is no wonder that the world's top academic countries place a high value on music education. Hungary, Netherlands, and Japan stand atop worldwide science achievement and have strong commitment to music education.