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Matoush Melodies Piano Academy
Top Pro

Matoush Melodies Piano Academy

5.0Exceptional(25)
San Jose, CA & Online

About

ONLINE & IN-PERSON: Professional teacher (Berklee educated) with a BA in classical piano performance and over 20 years performing and teaching offering customized, enjoyable lessons. Currently full but OPEN TO AUDITIONS FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS IF YOU'RE TRULY INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH ME. NOT INTERESTED IN STUDENT FAMILIES TRYING OUT MANY TEACHERS. My curriculum is unique and includes special exercises to strengthen playing, frequent informal public performances, and lots of expert training. We are a step above the usual teacher with both curriculum and training.

RCM/ABRSM Professional Performance exam training as well (see below for more) as competition prep and students have multiple Performance opportunities/practice. We have competitive levels for those students who are high achievers with awards for passing levels. I teach beginner through college level.

I maintain standards of excellence with tailored technical exercises, theory, and sight-reading practice customized to each unique individual. Detailed curriculum provided as well as weekly practice instructions.

My students have 3 recitals a year at a fancy concert venue and multiple informal practice opportunities (every other month).

I customize lessons to fit each individual and also ensure they enjoy learning with a variety of teaching approaches.

If your child or you study with me, you will see clear and rapid progress, yet you or your child will really enjoy the journey. I work with many students; my students include those more skilled at playing by ear, creative students who want to learn to compose or make pop or rock covers, as well as students with disabilities. (I have a students on the spectrum currently who has been with me for a year and really improved).

My main goal is to make sure my students learn to love music as I do and to get them excited about music. I have over 30 years experience teaching both at a university as a professor and at my home studio. I have also been performing, and composing for over 10 years and am currently collaborating on several albums with other performers as well as making an EP of my own originals.

*SEE YouTube LINK BELOW for Student Performance Videos..I absolutely love teaching piano and watching my students blossom into accomplished pianists. I use a variety of innovative teaching approaches, games, and apps and also teach music literature and history. I mix classical repertoire with popular pieces.

All levels accepted; I love to work with advanced and intermediate students and help them with RCM ABRSM exams, but also enjoy working with beginners. All my RCM students passed their tests with FIRST CLASS HONORS this year. RCM and ABRSM tests provide a holistic experience for students and ensure they become skilled musicians in all fields of music (performing repertoire, sight-reading, technical ability, ear-training, and theory).


Highlights

Hired 16 times
1 employee
20 years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Paypal, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Years experience

0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Student has instrument

Students who have a piano, Students who have a keyboard, Students who have neither

Interested musical styles

Classical, Pop, I can make recommendations

Photos and videos

  • Fall 2024 Piano Recital
  • Spring 2025 Piano Recital
  • Halloween 2023 Recital (Some of my students at the end)
  • 2017 Recital Student Gracie Plays Original Composition
  • 2017 Matthew Original Composition Piano Recital
  • 2017 Matthew Original Composition Piano Recital

  • Reviews

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    Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our reviews policy.

    SR

    satish R.

    My kid is improving and moving forward with her RCM learning and performing very well in last one year
    - I like the quality of extra services including formal recitals and informal every other month recitals
    -professionalism of teacher - She provides makeups for missed classes, rescheduling is easy - I ma very happy with the knowledge/expertise of teacher
    -My kid is enjoying herself, choice of songs and she never wants to miss any class
    ... Show more
    April 22, 2026

    JW

    joanne W.

    I have had the pleasure of taking piano lessons from Toby- Samantha for 4 months. I was drawn to Toby when I saw her experience as a piano teacher of all levels, her formal education and her experience as a professional teacher/composer.
    I am 70 years old and she has helped me build an understanding of how to read notes, how to time the music and build my confidence all while playing music that I love, which is classical music.
    I started piano lessons as a way to challenge my aging brain and have ended up with that and so much more.
    Toby also has unique Informal Practice Performances for her students which helps build confidence, a means to understand excellent playing, and also builds community between the students. I recently attended one of these and was really pleased at how wonderful the playing and discussion was.
    Toby is also very professional and always responds quickly and reschedules my lessons as needed. All in all, she is a fantastic teacher who really cares about her students progress.
    ... Show more
    March 30, 2026

    AL

    ana L.

    She is an excellent teacher and extremely professional.
    I love that she lets me learn at my own pace without feeling pressure.
    I highly recommend her.
    ... Show more
    March 08, 2026

    MJ

    mani J.

    I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible impact my daughters music teacher has
    had on her journey. Before joining this class, my daughter had little interest in music. She
    would attend lessons but never practice on her own. She struggled with basic music notation
    for over two years, making slow progress and showing no real enthusiasm.That all changed
    when we found her current teacher. After reading great reviews online, I decided to reach out
    and explain my daughters struggles. The teacher listened patiently and reassured me that
    she would try to find an approach that worked for her. And she did exactly that!Instead of
    following a one-size-fits-all method, she took the time to understand what would spark my
    daughters interest. She adjusted her teaching style to match her pace, making lessons
    engaging and tailored just for her. The transformation has been nothing short of amazing.
    Now, my daughter chooses to sit at the piano and practice every day. She not only plays long
    and complex pieces but also experiments with new music on her own. Her confidence,
    attention span, and love for music have all grown tremendously.What makes this teacher
    even more special is her own deep connection to music. She is not just a skilled pianist but
    also a gifted composer. I have had the privilege of hearing several of her original
    compositions, and they are truly breathtaking. Her ability to create beautiful, moving pieces is
    a testament to her talent and passion. Even more impressively, she passes on this creative
    gift to her students, encouraging them to compose their own music. Under her guidance, my
    daughter has started experimenting with melodies and creating her own simple
    compositions-something I never imagined she would do!This teacher is more than just an
    instructor-she is a true mentor, motivator, and inspiration. If you are looking for someone who
    genuinely cares about their students, nurtures their creativity, and helps them unlock their full
    musical potential, I wholeheartedly recommend this music class. It has been a life-changing
    experience for my daughter, and I am so grateful we found her!
    ... Show more
    November 16, 2025

    HM

    harper M.

    We have been taking group lesson (2 adult students) with Samantha for over a year. She has been absolutely amazing!
    I did a little YouTube video class myself before taking classes, and was progressing very slowly. Now after one year learning with Samantha, I could play anime songs like call of silence, cruel angel and am even learning Clemanti now!
    My husband took the class together and he had zero experience before and now he can play those too.
    Samantha always encourages us and picks the songs that are perfect for our level as well as preferences. She also holds very regular recital for all students and adults only, which we really appreciate. I’ve never played piano in front of anyone before and Samantha always encouraged us. This turned out really helpful for boosting my confidence and learning from each other.
    I enjoyed classes very much and tbh the weekly piano class is my most looking forward moment of each week.
    ... Show more
    November 10, 2025

    JN

    j N.

    My two kids have been taking piano lessons with Toby since they were very young. She is a calm and kind teacher with a laid-back approach to teaching, that suits my kids’ personalities perfectly. Toby is always flexible with scheduling, willing to accommodate any unexpected changes. After each lessons, she provides helpful weekly practice instructions for the kids to follow. She also gives out practice prizes to encourage them.
    We regularly attend recitals with all of Toby’s students, both young and adults. She offers a variety of music for the kids to choose from and is a talented musician who composes and performs. I appreciate that Toby goes above and beyond by teaching my kids how to compose using Garage Band and letting them try out her synthesizer when they want to explore beyond just playing the piano.
    ... Show more
    October 08, 2025

    Frequently asked questions

    I offer a discounted trial lesson to allow a potential student to see my light, airy studio, play my wonderful Yamaha 6'1 grand, and get to know me a bit.  It's a good chance to ensure I am the best choice for the student.

    BA in Classical Piano Performance, multiple performances, over 20 years of teaching experience

    Multiple piano master classes including University of the Pacific Master Class at a young age.  

    Berklee College of Music Training/Classes in Composition and Songwriting (Berklee is the best music college in the country for Composition and Songwriting)

    Have curriculum/template for teaching songwriting and have taught songwriting and composition to gospel vocalists, EDM performers, and New Age pianists.

    I have been teaching since I was a teenager. Helping others learning and seeing the spark that happens when one learns to love playing music is amazing. Teaching music has always been a passion of mine.
    Please don't choose a teacher solely based on location. I often get students who had amateur teachers who did not teach proper hand position and theory. I have had to start over with these students and improper hand position is very hard to break. It's not worth saving 5-10 minutes of driving when your child does not learn proper playing habits and foundations such as hand position and scales. They will be hampered by that poor training and it will be difficult, though not impossible to fix. Find an experienced teacher who teaches the right foundational skills. Don't pick teachers solely based on location and price.
    1) What is your teaching experience? 2) How do you customize teaching to each unique individual? 3) What kind of training did you have prior to teaching? 4) What levels do you teach and do you teach RCM and ABRSM which requires the teacher to be at an advanced level of playing?

    Services offered

    Music Theory
    Piano
    Synthesizer