NEW post: Are online piano lessons as effective as piano lessons in-person?
Absolutely, yes! With the onset of COVID-19, we have needed to find ways of learning piano that vary from the traditional one-on-one in-person piano lesson. While in-person lessons are still available, online piano lessons have proven to be very successful, especially for older students (about age 12 or 13 and older). With online lessons, you will get the same content and instruction of an in-person lesson (I have made sure to maintain the integrity, comfort and smooth flow of the in-person lesson experience). Online lessons for younger students can also be successful but are more dependent on parental support during the lesson. Online students have successfully completed OMTA Piano Syllabus preparations and exams entirely online. Similarly online recital preparation and performances have also been successful. There might need to be some additional tech needed, but online piano lessons are a viable consideration for learning piano.
What is the best age to start students in piano lessons?
The right age to start piano lessons really depends entirely on the child. I would suggest setting up an interview for me to meet with your child, and work with some basic piano and musicianship skills to assess readiness for piano lessons. In some cases I have started students as young as age 5, but if I had to choose an optimum age it would be 7. Any younger than 5 years, I suggest considering a group music program like Kindermusik or Music Together.
Are students required to own a piano to take lessons? Would an electronic keyboard be sufficient?
All students are required to have an instrument to practice on a regular basis. An acoustic piano is best, and required after 2 years of taking lessons. A full-size (88 keys) weighted keyboard will be sufficient to start with, but after 2 years of lessons an acoustic piano is required to build good finger technique and touch sensitivity.
How much will students be required to practice every day?
Practice is the key to any success at the piano! It is important to schedule it into your day, just as you would school homework. Daily practice should be at least the length of your piano lesson. For example, students taking a 30 minute weekly lesson should practice at least 30 minutes every day. For students younger than 7, this can be split into two 15 minute practice sessions in the day. I encourage parents to work out a weekly schedule with their child, listing all school and after-school activities, making sure that piano practice is listed on 5-6 days of the week. However, once students are ready for the OMTA Syllabus program, I recommend at least an hour of practice per week per Syllabus level. For example Level 3 student should practice a total of 3 hours a week. This time should be split equally each day, or as students’ schedule allows.
What is your make-up lesson policy for missed lessons?
Piano Lessons will only be made up for emergency or illness, provided I am notified by 9am on the day of the lesson. No refunds or credits will be given if a student misses a piano lesson. Make-up lessons will be rescheduled only once, and no more than two lessons will be rescheduled during the school year. Piano lessons will not be rescheduled for extra-curricular activities, sporting events, family vacations, or school functions.
May I schedule lessons every other week, or once a month?
In my experience, a weekly piano lesson works best to ensure maximum progress when studying a musical instrument. Along with that, I have not made allowances in my schedule for anything other than a weekly piano lesson. There will be no lessons during Christmas break, Spring Break, and limited lessons during the week of Thanksgiving.
Do you require that students participate in OMTA Syllabus Examinations?
No, I do not require students to participate in OMTA Syllabus Examinations. The OMTA Syllabus curriculum is still taught to all students so that I am fostering well-rounded musicians. Students that take Syllabus exams do tend to progress faster, and enjoy great satisfaction from completing each level!
Do you require students to participate in Recitals?
Performance in a public setting is part of being a piano student. It helps students develop confidence and pride in their accomplishments, as well as growth as a musician. I require all students to participate in two da Cunha Music Studio recitals (Fall and Spring). In addition, there are other performance opportunities available through West-Side Recitals at various times during the school year for students that are interested in other performance opportunities.