Lee Kikuchi piano, singing, flute, saxophone, guitar, music, fiddle, classical guitar, electric Guitar,... Pittsburgh, PA

Lee W. Kikuchi (Founder and Director) teaches piano, voice, violin, cello and composition and is Founder & Director of the Kikuchi Music Institute, where he also employs several other teachers to provide private music lessons at his location on the Northside (Fineview). Special Music Togehter classes for children newborn to age 5 are offered as well.

Other KMI Faculty:  Randall Christner (appointed 2002) teaches piano, voice, violin, viola, flute and sax, Nate Nypaver (appointed 2006) teaches guitar, Lauren Whittaker (appointed 2006) teaches string bass and Music Together, Rick Murrell (appoint 2008) teaches trumpet, French horn, euphonium and trombone.

Education: Mr. Kikuchi graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in 1991 (Majors in Music Composition and Computer Science). His studies included theory & composition, private piano instruction with Julian Martin & Mary Dannenberg, private voice instruction with Theresa Williams & Richard Miller, conducting with Daniel Moe and several courses in musicology beyond the minimum for the major. Prior to attending Oberlin, Mr. Kikuchi studied piano with Hannah Li and Mineko Avery; studied cello with Robert Sametini and Allen Sher; and studied violin with Frances Ortenberg. Education credentials for other faculty may be obtained by visiting our web site or contacting us.

Teaching Experience: Mr. Kikuchi currently maintains a weekly teaching schedule of 40+ students across three locations: KMI (founded 2002), Lisa Rae Music Studios (since October 2003) and The Kiski School for Boys (since October 2007).  In addition, Mr. Kikuchi's seasonal teaching responsibilities include: Instructor in strings and composition for the Alle-Kiske Music Day Camp (since June 2006), Chairman of the PPTA Student Composition Competition (since June 2003),  Editor of the Yearbook for the Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association (PPTA) (since June 2004),  Judge for the PPTA Duet Competition (2006 & 2007), Judge for the PPTA Elementary Performance Competition (2007), Judge for the PPTA Junior Performance Competition (2008), Judge for the PPTA Piano Evaluations (2006-present) and Lecturer for the PPTA (October 2006). Mr. Kikuchi is also an active member of Tuesday Musical Club and Pennsylvania Music Teachers Assocation.

Honors/Awards: Recent honors include having a student place Second in the 2008 Aiken-Cadman Piano Competition, winning First and Second Prize at the 2007-08 PPTA Teachers Composition Competition, having a 12-year old student perform solo (voice) in a Pittsburgh Symphony Concert (January 2007), having a student earn First Prize at the Elementary Division of the 2005-06 PPTA Student Composition Competition, winning Second Prize at the 2004-05 PPTA Teachers Composition Competition and having a student earn Honorable Mention at the 2003-04 PPTA Primary Solo Piano Competition.

Publications: Mr. Kikuchi is prolifically writing numerous educational books for the KMI students which are also available to the general public.  These include: Piano Evaluation Wookbooks (Levels A, B, C, I, II, III, IV & V), Musicianship for Strings (primer & level 1) and the Kikuchi Vocal Method (Level 1). He is currently working on three other series of teaching books: Creating Music (composition), Learning Music and Between the Notes. His publications can be viewed and/or purchased on the KMI website.

PERMFORMANCE HISTORY:

Mr. Kikuchi currently performs regularly with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh (1982, 1991-92, & 1999-present) and accompanies professional singers at auditions.

Mr. Kikuchi has had compositions performed by the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra (1991) and the Midwest Composers Symposium (Chicago, 1989).

Mr. Kikuchi has served as church organist for Mary S. Brown Church (Pittsburgh, 1979-1982), for Ames Methodist Church (Pittsburgh, 1978-1982), and for Huron Valley Community Church (Ann Arbor, 1986-88).

Mr. Kikuchi has served as tenor soloist for Mary S. Brown Church (Pittsburgh, 1978), for First Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor, 1985) and Third Presbyterian Church, (McKeesport, 1992).

Mr. Kikuchi served as Music Director for Princess Ida by Gilbert and Sullivan (Oberlin College, 1991).
Between the years 1981 and 1993 Mr. Kikuchi sang tenor in the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor Cantata Singers, Univ. of Michigan Choral Union and Renaissance City Choir of Pittsburgh.

In 1988, Mr. Kikuchi gave a special “Farewell Recital” in Ann Arbor, where he performed final movements from three sonatas by Beethoven, Chopin’s Ballade in A-flat and Liszt’s La Campanella Etude.

While at Oberlin (1982-84 and 1988-91) Mr. Kikuchi accompanied numerous vocalists and instrumentalists for studio classes and recitals, including three Junior Recitals and one Senior Recital, and he regularly performed on the piano for student recitals and composition recitals. During the same period he played cello in the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra and sang tenor in the Oberlin College Choir (including 3 concert tours), Oberlin Opera Chorus, and Oberlin G&S Players.

While at Allderdice High School (1978-82), Mr. Kikuchi was rehearsal and pit band pianist for four Senior Class Plays (Bye Bye Birdie, Carrousel, Oklahoma and Pajama Game). He sang the off stage tenor solo for Pajama Game, he sang in the Allderdice Concert Choir and played principal cello in the Allderdice Concert Orchestra all four years. He also performed in several non-musical student theater productions and two talent shows.

From the years 1976 to 1982 he played cello for the All-City Junior and Senior Orchestras, and was principal cellist from 1978 to 1982.

Lesson format and requirements vary according to age, instrument and level of achievement.  We strongly encourage all students to begin with PIANO FIRST to give a solid foundation before moving onto another instrument.  This is especially true for students under age 9.  We also strongly encourage ALL students to study a second instrument in order to have opportunity for participation in school and community orchestras and bands.

Under Age 4: Students are eligible for Music Together - special classes for infants and toddlers.

Piano: Private piano lessons may begin starting age 4.  Different methods (systems) and teaching approaches apply according to the age groups: 4-5, 4-7, 7-12, and 12+.   Children must be assessed for reading ability and development in order to be assigned the age-appropriate teaching system.

Voice: Private voice lessons may begin at age 9, but the student must take piano lessons prior to and concurrently with voice lessons until age 12.  Students age 12 or older may study voice without piano, but this is strongly discouraged as piano is the foundation that most benefits the singer. Students under age 9 with interest in voice must study piano only because piano lessons include many opportunities for singing, and the teacher will take more advantage of them for students interested in voice at this age.

Composition: Private lessons in composition may begin at any age once the student has completed 1-2 years of private piano lessons, and student must be currently enrolled for private piano lessons at KMI or with another private teacher.

Strings: Private violin, viola and cello lessons may begin starting at age 7.  Students with 1-2 years prior piano study may begin as young as age 5, providing they have advanced enough to be able to read music written on the staff.  Students under age 12 interested in string bass should begin with cello to learn the basics of reading the bass clef and fingering a stringed instrument, as the bass has transportation and playing difficulties that result from its large size.  Strings instrument students of all ages are strongly encouraged to study 2-5 years piano as secondary due to the benefits gained in the student's theoretical knowledge and technical skill.

Woodwinds and Brass: Private flute, saxophone, trumpet, French Horn, euphonium and trombone lessons may begin starting at age 9.  Students with 1-2 years prior piano study may begin as young as age 7, providing they have advanced enough to be able to read music written on the staff.  Wind instrument students of all ages are strongly encouraged to study 2-5 years piano as secondary due to the benefits gained in the student's theoretical knowledge and technical skill.

Guitar: Private guitar lessons may begin starting at 6.  A half-size guitar is required for smaller students, who will grow into a full-size instrument by age 8.

ADULTS OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!

PROGRAMS:
The Kikuchi Music Institute offers several programs in many areas of study with great flexibility to allow for students' busy schedules and the family budget. 

Core Curriculum: The Core Curriculum provides the foundation of music education (starting age 4 in piano, or age 7 in other instruments), and is based entirely on weekly private lessons.

Combined Lessons: Students may study two or more instruments in the same lesson (same teacher) or same lesson time slot (two teachers).  The primary instrument (which includes the theory lesson) must be a minimum of 30 min. If the student is able to enroll for both in

Classical, Broadway, Popular, Religious

Families registering for Music Together pay a term fee based on the term. All NEW private students must pay for and commit to 6 initial lessons (e.g. six 30 min. lessons for $115, six 45 min. lessons for $155 or six 60 min. lessons for $195.), then if they choose to continue they may enroll to complete the term. Lessons can be 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 min. in length and rates are discounted as length is increased. Families with 2 or more students receive discounts by paying the combined rate. Siblings often can have their lessons at the same time, and students often can study two instruments in the same lesson with the same teacher, thus maximizing your time and minimizing your wait. After the initial lessons, students continue on a tuition per term basis, with rates varying according to level and length of lesson time.

piano, singing, flute, saxophone, guitar, music, fiddle, classical guitar, electric Guitar, violin, viola, cello, opera voice, children's music, drums, music theory, Composition, upright bass, songwriting, voice, theatrical singing, Broadway singing, recorder, Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, acoustic guitar

"If any of the parents are looking for a music teacher for their kids I would highly recommend Alexis's teacher, Lee Kikuchi. He is one of the few teachers we have found that will work with 3 year olds and is very good with young kids. If anyone wants to talk to me as a reference, have them email me or give me a call. " (2007, Alexis' Father)

"Stephanie really didn't say much about her [first] lesson last night. She did say one thing that seemed to sum it up though: She said that this teacher [Mr. Kikuchi] made all the other teachers she had seem like they didn't know what they were doing. She was very impressed with him." (2007, Stephanie's Mother)

"By the way - I don't think that she [Alyssa] told you, but she was the only freshmen to be assigned a singing part when the cast list [Les Miserables] was announced! She was so excited. That doesn't mean that other freshmen won't get singing parts assigned as the rehearsals go on, but to be singled out really meant a lot to her. Mr. Kikuchi really gave her the confidence to succeed." (2007, Alyssa's Mother)

"Nobody teaches like you [Mr. Kikuchi]. You are simply amazing!" (2007, Marjorie O'Donnell)

"Thank you so very much for being the Elementary Competition Judge. From experience I know that it is hard work. Your [Mr. Kikuchi] comments amazed me - how precise. They were right on the mark, displaying confidence and kindness while getting the message across!" (2007, Cece Miller, Piano Teacher and Chairman for the 2007 PPTA Elementary Solo Piano Competition)