In a private half-hour piano lesson, we will work together to build strong foundations of musicianship and piano playing. Lessons will combine technique, music theory, piano repertoire, and music history, all presented with fun and humor. With a knowledge that children are not mini-adults and that younger students have specific developmental needs as they grow and mature, we will work together on age-appropriate piano technique, all leading to performance skills. Every musician has their own style, and I will help your budding pianist find theirs!

Ms. Annette teaches group and private lessons at all levels-- 
Preschool Pianists (Ages 3 through 5)
Taught with preschoolers in mind, these classes focus on keyboard geography and orientation, experimenting with piano music and improvisation by responding to music, ear training and rhythm exercises, posture and hand coordination, aural awareness, symbol-to-sound recognition, and plenty of "off the bench" activities so young learners can get their wiggles out! At this level, I like to use Music for Little Mozarts or Wunderkeys, but I am open to other methodologies.

Piano Primer (Ages 5 through 7)
Whether your pianist is proficient in beginning music concepts taught at the preschool level or is starting from scratch, at this level young musicians continue to actively explore beginning music concepts. My personal belief is that note-reading is something that should happen after a pianist has learned to read, so their decoding skills are honed and they're ready to start note-reading. At the level, we start to play "real" pieces, explore musical concepts and work on learning and decoding rhythms and matching them to symbols. Finger numbers and other concepts are learned through games and activities designed to get your pianist moving. For this level, we sometimes complete Music for Little Mozarts, continue on with Wunderkeys, or begin with the Faber Piano Adventure books.

Playing Pianists (Ages 8 and up)
Now we're ready to start learning to read music and get into repertoire! We'll explore theory, duets, ear training, sight reading, and more, all while continuing with improv, music history, rhythm studies, and technique. At this stage the goal is confidence and transitioning ownership of the lesson over to the pianists. Musicians are encouraged to use lessons as a time to try new ideas and techniques in a safe, judgement-free environment. Flexibility and mobility in practice, repertoire, and attitudes are encouraged! Ms. Annette generally uses the Faber Piano Adventure Books or Wunderkeys at this level, but is open to other methodologies.

Regardless of age, each lesson contains mind and body warmups, practice review, musicianship skills and exercises, piano warmups and explorations, including improvisation and composition, and age-appropriate repertoire. All lessons-- group and individual-- have a constructivist approach where musicians are invited to bring their own ideas and interests so we can create music and learn together. Learners will be encouraged to share music that interests them. 

If a time is not available, feel free to reach out to Ms. Annette or request a time. You can also request "buddy lessons" if your child would like to take lessons with a friend! Please note the refund policy. When you sign up for this lesson spot, it saves the spot for you and also means that no one else can sign up for the time. I ask for at least one-week notice if you need to cancel or reschedule for the week.