B-Sharp Piano Studio

B-Sharp Piano Studio

5.0Exceptional(14 reviews)

About

I work one-on-one with my students. Staying within my 3-part lesson format and knowing the pace of each student, this gives me the opportunity customize the lesson to fit the individual needs and learning style of each student. I also think that repertoire is the key to motivate students to want to play piano. It is important for me to continually introduce the songs/repertoire that inspires each student, be it classical, contemporary, pop. It is my goal to make the process of learning to play piano fun. For this reason, too, I love to play duets with my students and, for those interested, give them them the opportunity to perform in the Piano Ensemble concert, which is an "orchestra of pianos" with 2 students at each piano.

I love to see the joy that learning to play piano brings to young children and adults. The discovery that they can make beautiful music and have fun, too. Building confidence at playing piano is so rewarding to the student and teaches them even more than just playing piano. It teaches them dedication, hard work, expresson of emotion, and artistry. It is something that no one can take away from them once learned.


Highlights

Hired 3 times
1 employee
40 years in business
Serves Phoenix , AZ

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Paypal

Photos and videos

  • PMTA 2018 Piano Ensemble Concert
  • PMTA 2021 Adult Recital Teachers
  • PMTA

  • Reviews

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    MW

    Maria W.

    Susan is a professional whoses warm & welcoming. She teaches her students music that they want to play! We really loved attending our daughters recitals! Susan is a one of kind, very special lady & your child will love learning the piano from her!
    ... Show more
    March 06, 2023

    NP

    Naomi P.

    Susan Traylor provided a comfortable atmosphere during piano lessons. Playing with Susan was relaxing and not intimidating in the slightest. She was incredibly personable as well as kind and informative, making every lesson wonderful.
    She has also years of experience, which was demonstrated through her teaching and piano playing as a whole.
    ... Show more
    February 23, 2023

    BK

    Barb K.

    Susan takes a well-rounded approach to teaching the piano, from the basics (like scales, technique and music theory) to progressively building a repertoire to simply having fun playing the piano. She is supportive and encouraging, and very patient. Ive learned so much from her, and look forward to each lesson.
    ... Show more
    February 20, 2023

    TA

    Ta A.

    I started piano lessons with Ms. Susan when I was 5 years old. Learning piano takes a lot of hard work that can sometimes be frustrating, but Ms. Susan made the process easy and full of joy. She is extremely patient and easy-going and an amazing role model for me. Ms. Susan taught me that you can create music from anything and it is a way to express emotions and tell stories. It has now been 9 years since I’ve started playing piano and Ms. Susan has guided me the entire time. Piano brings light to my world and I use any opportunity I can to play. I’m so grateful to have had a teacher as passionate as Ms. Susan to share her love of music with me.
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    February 20, 2023

    PA

    Patricia A.

    My daughter started taking piano lessons at 6 years old, I (30’s) also took lessons with Susan. Susan lives and breathes music and I credit her with sharing that gift with my family. She is patient and a master at breaking down the piano into actionable and achievable steps for her students. She is also flexible with music choices which helps to motivate her students. Susan is well connected in the Phoenix Music Teacher’s Association and is able to offer her students unique performance opportunities. Lastly, Susan is computer savvy and we benefited great from her skills when we were forced to go online for lessons. I believe she now offers students both in-person and on-line classes.
    ... Show more
    February 20, 2023

    CM

    Caroline M.

    Susan Traylor is an exceptional piano teacher. She has a warm and approachable demeanor, and takes the time to tailor each lesson to my kids specific needs. She is very patient and encouraging. Overall, I highly recommend Susan to anyone looking for a compassionate and skilled piano teacher.
    ... Show more
    February 20, 2023

    Frequently asked questions

    I respond to emails at [email protected], requesting to schedule a phone appointment to discuss lessons in more detail.  I then offer a free, introductory lesson at my home studio or, if the student prefers remote lessons, via a remote session.  It typically takes a a couple of weeks for the student and I to become acquainted, me with the student's abilities and interests and pace of learning, and the student, with my 3-part lesson format:  theory/technique, method book and and student's elective repertoire, and establishing a good practice habit.  I offer a more flexible format for the advanced or adult student.   

    After studying piano for 10 years growing up in a small town in Minnesota, I obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Music Major, from Arizona State University. Have been teaching piano privately for 38 years. I'm also an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) and Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA) where I not only regularly attend conferences and professional workshops, but have the benefit of mentorship from other piano teachers. It is also through these associations that I can offer my students opportunities to perform, compete or enter into an evaluation program for piano students.
    $30/30-minutes $40/45-minutes $50/60-minutes
    I began teaching piano immediately after graduating from ASU in 1984. Although it's hard for me to remember my first students, I do remember how much I loved taking piano lessons starting from age 8 through age 18, practicing my lesson every day and performing in recitals and competitions. I knew I wanted to share that and my passion for music, particularly the piano, with with others. I want my students to love music and playing the piano as much as I do.
    The majority of my students are in elementary school, a handful of students are age 5, about a quarter of my students are in middle school or high School. I also have a good number of adult students (in their 20's, or recently retired, and one student who was 92), many who were beginners and are now playing in concerts and recitals. Some students prefer to just learn to play their favorite pieces, others wish to participate in performance events, and some enjoy the structure of competitions or evaluation programs. While I never set a limit for any student, I have not had students who were graduating high school and preparing to enter as music majors in college.
    Imagine a symphony of grand pianos, two students playing together at each piano, and the conductor directing them. The pianist s are in groups, some made up of young beginner students, some are Middle School age students, some are high school students, adult students, adult family members, and even teacher groups. There are 15 songs performed by 200-400 performers over a period of 1 hour concert to an audience of 650 attendees, two times in one night. The energy is electric. This is what is called the PMTA Piano Ensemble concert and it has been going on for 71 consecutive years. A remarkable tradition. I love this concert. It provides the piano student with an opportunity to experience social and collaborative performance. I have been co-chair on this committee for 10 years, performed in it myself for 10+ years, and had many students participate in it. Students perform in it for 20 years and more. There are two adult students who have been performing in this concert for 33 or 34 years. Come join the fun!
    My advice would depend on the student's age and goals. If the student is 5 or under, my advice would be to the parent (s) to provide a very musical environment at home, play music of all genres, dance and move to the music, nurture the child's natural imagination and creativity through storytelling through music. If the very young child is going to start formal piano lessons, the child will need much support from the adult at home. For elementary age students, learn to be patient while they learn to practice, and learn to prioritize all the diverse activities children have these days. If the child is to learn to play a musical instrument such as the piano, he must learn to make a commitment to learn and stick with it. For the middle schooler or high school age student, I try to help them find a connection through their piano music. That might be a connection with the popular culture, it might be a connection in the history of piano music such as classical music, and or it might be a social connection such as participating in piano ensemble or entering in piano competitions, recitals or evaluation programs. Again commitment is so important. For my adult students, I tell them that adults actually can learn much faster than children, because they have better control of fine motor skills, counting, memory of music they've heard throughout their lives. But adults' biggest obstacles are impatience and distractions. For this reason, I often recommend beginner adult students make a commitment of 3-4 months, setting some short term goals and a bigger end goal (mind if like signing ip for a community vollege class). Then we can reassess at the end of the term. In summary, my goal for all my students is that, at minimum, if they don't already love playing piano music that they learn to love it. I also want them to be able to read all kinds of piano music, and learn enough theory to play basic music by ear. I hope they will learn to perform with and for others. But if they are content to play piano just for themselves, I am happy with that, too.
    What type of piano or keyboard must I have at home? Why is my goal? Why do I want to take piano lessons? Do I just want to learn to play a song or certain songs? If so, what are some songs that I like? Alternatively, what is the genre of songs that I like? Classical? Pop? Jazz? Should I take one lesson each week or two lessons each week? What if I miss lesson? Can I reschedule? Do I have to practice at home? Can't I just come and learn at the piano lesson? How much practice time at is necessary? What does a practice session at home look like? Do I have to practice everyday? What happens if I don't get to practice very much between lessons? (For female students) do I really need to cut my fingernails in order to play the piano? Do I have to play scales and chords? Do I have to perform and recitals? How does the teacher bill? Tuition? Hourly? Monthly?

    Services offered

    Piano
    Music Theory