Mellisa W. TakeLessons Instructor music, Piano, music theory, piano theory Saint Paul, MN

I love teaching! And not only do I love it, but I also have the credentials to back up that love! I began my quest and love for music at the age of 4 when my father showed me how to "transpose" "Mary Had a Little Lamb". I was fascinated! Ever since then I can't get enough music. Later that same year when I was 4 years old I began taking flute lessons from a college professor. Growing up in a rural area I had to travel 100 miles one way once a week for lessons. I continued that trip for years to come! I now have my degree in piano education and performance which I recieved May of 2007. In that degree I specialized in teaching children, but I currently teach children and adults of all ages and skill levels! I recieved education in such areas as musicianship, rhythm and sight singing, teaching piano to beginners-advanced, music theory I, II, III, and IV, and arranging and composing. I was given the opportunity to be the chapel pianist several times a week as well as a music theory tutor. I also taught private piano in college.

I am now an accompanist, soloist, piano tuner and music theory tutor besides being a piano teacher which I do full time. I work for 4 different piano studios, one of which I am manager of,  as well as run my own private studio. I am continuing my education through the University of Minnesota where I am working towards another degree in Piano Pedegogy with concentrations in Music theory and Business managment. Teaching is not a job to me, it's a way of life. I love music and do all that I can to help my students love music as well. That is my ultimate goal as a piano teacher all while giving you the tools to continue advancing in your musical education.  

I think all my would all tell you that I am a fun teacher and fairly easing going, but I expect you to work at what you do. I always say anything worth doing is worth doing well -- always try your best! I try to get to know my students so I'm not "just another teacher" where we hardly know each other's names. I look at each student as an investment. Because each student is so different, I don't abide strictly to a curricullum. I will use some curriculum format, but will use a lot of outside material as well as my own knowledge in addition to. Every student learns differently and at a different pace. I like them to learn as quickly as they can, but never push them beyond what they can handle. I begin all piano education with a classical approach as that is the foundation of our piano music. But as the student requests to learn various other kinds of genre, I will do all I can to find suitable music for them and help them learn through music they enjoy and picked out themselves!

Thank you so much! I look forward to our musical ventures together!

I specialize in classical style piano. I incorporate a lot of theory into each lesson as this is the foundation of music. I teach all ages and levels.

music, Piano, music theory, piano theory