Enthusiastic and creative teacher ready to help beginning pianists of every age in San Antonio

About Me

My name is Laura, and I have played piano for fifteen years. I focus on teaching beginning piano, and I understand how important and helpful a tool music is for all aspects of life. I am a classically trained pianist, but appreciate all genres, and am willing to teach beginners of any age what they need to learn to play the music they love. Some of my favorite composers are Schubert, Chopin, Barber, and Debussy, but I also love Regina Spektor, The Dresden Dolls, Rasputina, Nirvana, Pearl ... Jam, and Sarah McLachlan.
I love being a teacher for many reasons, but probably most of all, I want to be able to inspire people to explore their innate musical understanding. Music is experienced differently by every individual, and in those differences we can feel united. I also love seeing a student reach "ah-ha!" moments in practice--those wonderful moments of understanding that happens in the body and mind that allows the student to connect, express, and create the most effective music possible.
While my degree is in Theatre Arts, I took several music courses/lessons (including piano and voice) in college and received a music scholarship for piano performance at The University of the Incarnate Word. Prior to college my musical background includes numerous piano competitions in and around San Antonio, and many years of Choral performance. I was a member of The Childrens' Chorus of San Antonio for three years, performing with The San Antonio Symphony, and The Master Singers here in town, and touring Italy in 2001 (the chorus was fortunate enough to perform both in St. Peter's Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, and the Pantheon). My experience in such a successful choir exposed me to many different genres of music.
As a teacher, I understand that it takes a bit of time for a student and teacher to develop a language together, and I am interested in cultivating a different method for each student so that everyone's varying needs will be met. I also understand the importance of play in a learning environment, and there will be a healthy measure of exploration and free play in each lesson so that each student can revel in his/her unique connection to the piano. Conversely, along with the play I know that every beginner also needs a structure to hold on to, and I teach basic theory and technique to create self-sufficient, confident pianists.

Lesson Details

As a teacher, I am patient and easygoing. I remember very well the way it felt as a beginner, and I know that repetition and time are a young student's most important tools. I love to laugh, and also know that students who are having fun are also retaining the material simply because it's fun! There is no need to feel pressured or inadequate in my lesson because we're all here to learn together, and mistakes are what lead us to greater understanding and mastery.
I like ... to base lessons around each individual student, so my style of communication will depend on you! Piano lessons should be a place that the student leaves feeling invigorated and excited rather than tired and obligated, so I try to make the lesson a safe place for exploration. I structure into each lesson time to learn theory (writing and aural), practice some technique/read music, check practice from home, and then have some free play time. Free play time is when the student may play anything that he or she has composed, picked out by ear, or simply improvise with an opportunity to ask questions. When the student is ready I also spend time discussing music history and culture as it applies to the lesson. A working knowledge of many styles and genres makes for a well-rounded and creative musician.
I expect to have students reading simple music and playing pieces with both hands in two months. Over the next 5 to 6 months I expect there to be deeper understanding of theory, form, technique, and musicality (dynamics, phrasing, melody/accompaniment, voicing, etc.), and cultivation of memorization skills. Students of mine in the past have had great success with expressing musicality because I make it a priority from the beginning.

Laura has been a private music instructor for TakeLessons since 2009. Laura is a certified local music teacher.

How It Works

Lessons are paid for in advance and purchased through our monthly or quarterly plans. All plans come with our 100% Money Back Guarantee. We accept payment via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), debit card or electronic check.

Monthly Plan

Schedule and pay for lessons on a month to month basis. Lessons are paid for and scheduled on the 25th of every month.
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Quarterly Plan

Purchase 12 lessons upfront and receive your 13th lesson for free. Over the course of a year, you receive a month of free lessons!
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Pricing

Lesson rates vary depending on the length of the lesson (we offer 30, 45, 60, and 90 minute lessons), and the actual location of the lesson (we offer lessons in your home or our teacher's studio). Lessons are paid for in advance by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Sorry, no cash.

Please call 877-231-8505 for details.