Piano with Grace A.

I started piano at age 5, as many piano teachers do, and around age 15, I began to study piano more seriously with Rowan University piano faculty. While working on a piano performance degree at Brigham Young University, I took lessons in Vienna, Austria with faculty at the University of Vienna and the Vienna Konservatorium. In 2014, I graduated with a piano performance degree from BYU under Dr. Richard Anderson. Since then I’ve taught privately in Utah, judging in Encore and other regional competitions. I worked at the Utah Piano Academy for two years before moving states. I am a member of the Music Teachers National Association. General Booking Recommendations 15 mins= 3 to 4 year olds only 30 mins= 5 to 17 year olds 60 mins= Late intermediate/advanced students I also no longer accept every-two-week students during weekdays. YOUNG STUDENTS: Parental Attendance and Support Guardians of any student age group are encouraged to attend lessons from time to time. An adult should accompany 5 to 6-year-olds to help them remember instructions for the first few lessons with a strong suggestion to attend every lesson after that until the student is at least 7. Common FAQs When should a child start music lessons? The earlier you start, the easier it is for your brain to adapt and grow. Most professional pianists (and intimidating 8-year-old YouTube proteges) started super young. A 4-year-old's attention span may or may not to be ready for traditional, sit down piano lessons. In which case, we may take a Kindermusic approach. Some 5-year-olds may still not be ready for 30 min traditional lessons. I’ll give you my honest opinion about readiness during the first lesson. How long do I need to practice? Most students who stick with music practice almost every day, even if it’s only 15 minutes a day. It’s more impactful to practice frequently rather than one huge practice session a week. What does a lesson look like? I structure the lesson around student goals (playing for fun or preparing for RCM, ABRSM, MTNA events). Most lessons are split into three parts: Technique, Lesson Books, and Solo Repertoire. Part 1: Technique Build up the muscles in your hands, wrists, arms, and core! You need strong fingers for control and precision in your playing. Part 2: Lesson Books Although your solo pieces are more interesting and the bulk of your time is spent on them, lesson books are important for building stronger music reading, vocabulary, and theory concepts in the beginning. Lesson books teach short “etudes”, specific concepts that are applied to solo pieces. We’ll try to move through books as efficiently and quickly as we can. The goal is to get out of lesson book and be completely in solos. On occasion, we may skip some books entirely. If we only use half of a book (which is rare), I may buy it back off of you for 50% of its original price. Lesson books can be purchased at the start of the lesson. If I’m out of stock, I will provide a link online for you to purchase. Keep in mind I look for the best deals, but you may find one better. Part 3: Solo Repertoire At least 50% of your practice time may be spent on solos. The following is an example of level appropriate suggestions. Feel free to look these songs up for a listen. Prep (Ages 5-7)- The Butterfly Garden by Timothy Brown Lotus Blossoms by Christopher Goldston Do You Want to Build a Snowman arr. by Faber Level 1 (Age 8)- Vocalize arr. Timothy Brown Minuet in F by L. Mozart Star Wars Main Theme arr. by Faber Level 2 (Age 9) Minuet in G Major by Haydn Medieval Tournament by Mike Spinger He's a Pirate arr. Faber Level 3 (Age 10)- Musette in D Major by JS Bach The Sparkling Brook by Margaret Goldston Gulf Breezes by Robert Vandall Level 4 (Age 11) Spinning Song by Ellmenreich Sonatina in G Major by Beethoven Radio Active arr. by Faber Level 5 (Age 12) Sonatina in C Major by Clementi Dragonfly by W. Gillock Sonata L. 79 by Scarlatti Level 6 (Age 13) Jazz n' Java by Melody Bober Folia Theme and Variations by Scarlatti Giant Purple Butterflies by Winn-Anne Rossi Level 7 (Age 14) Invention no. 4 in D minor by JS Bach Six Variations on a Swiss Song by Beethoven The Storm by Burgmuller Level 8 (Age 15) Invention in E-flat Major by JS Bach Playera op. 5 no. 5 by Granados Gymnopedies by Satie Level 9 (Age 16) Shake it Off arr. Kristen Allred Bagatelles op. 33 by Beethoven Nocturne in G minor by Chopin