Charlottesville, VA Piano Lessons

I have been teaching and performing on piano for 30 years.
We work on sight reading, ear training, and theory.
I have an easy style and like my students to enjoy their lessons.

Beginning piano lessons taught to kids ages 5 and up, and adults studying music for the first time. 90 min option added for multiple students going back-to-back.

-Piano lessons at my home studio take place on a concert grand steinway-

My very first instrument was the Piano. I started at age two, learning from my mother who is a concert Pianist from London.

I played seriously all the way up until college, competing in many competitions. I still play piano at a professional level. After years of watching, and being taught daily by my mother at a young age, I have an extensive knowledge of how to play the piano and how to teach it with the best techniques. This ensures my students don't learn bad habits.

I have even taught music producers how to use the piano as a controller to produce tracks.

My music has taken me all around the world, from Australia, to Europe and now the US. Recently the US government granted me an extraordinary ability visa in music, recognizing me as one of the best performers from my home country, this allows me to teach and perform music in America.

I look forward to helping you on your music journey, ...

Melissa specializes in the Alfred Series for piano and My First Piano Adventure for young students. This approach focuses on ear training and reading music. Custom exercises and choice of material is based on the student's level and field of study. Lessons are scheduled at the student's convenience as per availability. Frequency and length of lessons is based on the students needs.

I LOVE teaching piano, and all the elements that come along with learning this instrument. Whether you want a solid classical training or you'd like to build on the basics to play with lead sheets, we'll have a blast going through the paces, learning to make this instrument fun!

I teach the basics - reading music, playing the piano, and basic theory to help them become successful. Piano is a great foundation for moving into other instruments and for appreciating music. I give drills at the beginning of each lesson to help reinforce the basics, yet making it fun, I work with rhythmic instruments to help develop tempo, and finally I work with each child/person at their pace.

Jazz, Latin Jazz, Music Theory, Ear Training, and Technique

Get ready for a truly rich and rewarding experience. Maria studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Viktor Merzhanov. She is a 4th-generation pupil of Franz Liszt and 6th-generation of Beethoven. She was one of the fortunate few (Garrick Ohlsson among them) to study with Roberto Eyzaguirre, who was a student and friend of Claudio Arrau, one of the 20th-century's greatest pianists. Arrau studied with Martin Krause, who was one of Franz Liszt's final pupils. Liszt was taught by Carl Czerny. And Beethoven was Czerny's teacher. Through this great lineage, learn an incredible technique that will enable you to play the music of your dreams!

Paula Johnson is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Piano and holds the Permanent Professional Certificate from Music Teachers National Association. She received a degree in Music Education from Carson Newman College and has been a long time member of the Tennessee and Knoxville Music Teachers Associations, in addition to being a Past President and Teacher of the Year of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association. In addition, Ms. Johnson received training through Kindermusik International, a music and movement program for young children beginning at age birth, and is licensed to teach all Kindermusik curricula.

Regular attendances of classes, workshops, seminars, and conferences, as well as review of current professional journals are an important part of Ms. Johnson’s continuing education. She has honed her piano performance skills by serving many years as church musician in congregations of various different denominations, as well as performing at weddings, funeral services,

Have fun and learn the joy of music through learning the piano with Natalie!