Classical Piano Lessons in San Diego. Amazing Teachers.

B.A. Piano Performance, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 1981
M.M. Piano Pedagogy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 1986

I have been teaching Classical Piano lessons for over 35 years. I teach all levels and all ages, but children and beginning adults are my specialty. Lessons include sight-reading, technique, theory, and memory skills. I offer 1-2 recitals per year.

The goal of my teaching career is to celebrate the joy of life by sharing music together.

A natural teacher at heart, I teach Piano, Visual Arts, and Yoga. I earned my Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Teaching and my California Teaching Credential in the Visual Arts and have been teaching professionally since 2012. I began playing the piano at age seven and advanced to honors recitals of Certificate of Merit through the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC). I have experience teaching ages 4-65 and beginning through early-intermediate levels. Beginners are my specialty and I currently teach 12 piano students a week. I use a variety of materials like flashcards and book series to teach classical, jazz, pop, and sacred styles: Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Bastien Basics, Bastien & Bastien, Faber’s Piano Adventures, FunTime Faber & Faber, Piano for the Older Beginner, Alfred Masterworks, and Hal Leonard Songs from Disney. Students have the options of borrowing my used books or purchasing new books.

My new students love the patience and personalization that I bring ...

Nicki began playing piano at six. She had a passion for music and continued playing to play in the GMTA State Piano competition. After completing her degree at the University of Pennsylvania, she continued to play and teach.
Nicki has been an elementary school teacher for 10 years and loves working with children. She uses the Bastien method for her beginning students. She enjoys working with children who are beginning to learn piano. She likes to make her lessons fun and engaging.
Nicki teaches to share her passion of music. She helps her students to develop their ear, sight-reading, and comprehension. She works to create well-rounded students, sharpening their theory and expanding their musical skills. She lives in beautiful Carmel Valley with her son who is in high school and is a talented artist.

Fun, experienced teacher who believes music should be something that students will WANT to do, and enjoy doing.......Music and learning IS FUN!

Welcome! I have been playing the piano since I was 5 years old and teaching piano for over 10 years. I specialize in beginners, and love helping students cultivate their love for the piano. Not learning to play the piano is often an adult's #1 regret in life, so don't let that be your answer too!

As your instructor, I am passionate about encouraging students to find joy in music through learning to play the piano!

My lessons include piano technique, music theory, rhythm and much more!

I am a professional pianist and keyboardist, with a background in both classical and contemporary styles. In addition to piano, I teach singing and songwriting.