Infinite Phoenix Creative Studios
About
I genuinely love music, and one of my favorite things about teaching is helping someone discover what they can do with it.
Have a piece you've always wanted to play? Bring it in! I've taught everything from classical repertoire to film music, pop, jazz, and contemporary piano. Comptine d’un autre été from Amélie is a particular favorite that I've taught many times.
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all piano lessons. Every student comes in with different goals, interests, strengths, and reasons for wanting to play, so I build lessons around the person sitting at the piano. For one student that might mean classical repertoire and strong technique; for another it might be chords, pop songs, improvisation, songwriting, music theory, or finally learning that piece they've always wanted to play. Usually, it's some combination of all of the above.
I've been playing piano for more than 25 years and teaching for over a decade. I'm also an active professional musician, working regularly as a pianist, keyboardist, organist, and music director. I love being able to bring that real-world musical experience into lessons while still meeting students exactly where they are.
Beginners are absolutely welcome, including adults who have always wanted to learn but never quite got around to it. I also enjoy working with experienced musicians who want to strengthen their technique, understand music more deeply, or explore a new style of playing.
Most importantly, I want students to leave lessons excited to make music. We'll build solid fundamentals and learn how music actually works, but music shouldn't feel like an endless series of assignments to complete. It's creative, expressive, challenging, fascinating, and incredibly fun.
My job is to help each student find their own way into that world and give them the tools to keep exploring it.
Highlights
Hired 15 times
1 employee
14 years in business
Serves Lakewood, CO
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Venmo, Paypal, Apple Pay, Zelle
Specialties
Years experience
No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience
Able to read music
Student can read music, Student cannot read music
Lesson length
30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes
Student's age
Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 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, Jazz, Pop, I can make recommendations
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our reviews policy.
LC
lauren C.
Peter is great to work with! Very flexible with scheduling and skilled in a variety of music genres. He will go at your pace and is game to teach you whatever you want to play. Highly recommend, thanks Peter!
November 21, 2023
CM
Caroline M.
I found Peter as a beginner, looking to take adult lessons. After just a few months, my sight reading, piano theory knowledge, and understanding of the instrument’s capabilities increased substantially. Peter continues to show me different ways to be creative with the piano in order to play the way I prefer/enjoy. He tailors our lessons based on what my ultimate goals are. He consistently finds new music for me to learn, and I always walk away from our lessons feeling more confident in my skills and knowledge of the piano. Another great thing about my lessons with Peter is the patience and understanding he shows with my progress; he is willing to go over things multiple times as needed and repeatedly works around my schedule when I have to miss a lesson. Overall, Peter is a kind and dedicated teacher that puts in time and effort to see me succeed in my goals. I highly recommend Peter for piano lessons.
September 27, 2022
•Hired on Lessons.com
MB
Meg B.
For many years I have tried classes, private lessons, youtube tutorials and beyond to learn the piano. I could never get over the hump. Peter has made the piano feel attainable to me for the first time. He has a way of really listening and understanding what his students want out of their lesson experience. His expertise is not only in his musical skill, but also in scaffolding lessons in the moment to be able to really meet the students needs. He has given me so many tools for my playing and so much insight into the infinite world of music theory. His love for the piano shines through in his positive instruction. I leave every lesson feeling so empowered towards an instrument and skill that has baffled me for so long! (I should also mention that the practice space is so beautiful, if you’re into aesthetics).
January 27, 2022
•Hired on Lessons.com
LP
Lesa P.
Instructor was good at figuring out what level i am starting at and filling in the areas i did not know
May 13, 2021
•Hired on Lessons.com
GS
Gabi S.
Peter tailors his lessons to exactly what you want to get out of it. Hes a wealth of knowledge, and he does an excellent job of delivering it so you always feel youre learning and making progress. Hes patient and extremely easy to get along with!
November 21, 2019
•Hired on Lessons.com
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first few lessons are about getting to know you as a musician, whether you're brand new to the piano or have been playing for years.
We'll talk about what brought you to lessons, what kind of music you enjoy, what you'd love to be able to play, and any specific goals you have. We'll also spend plenty of time actually making music so I can get a feel for what you already know, how you learn best, and where we might want to start.
From there, I begin shaping lessons around you. We'll build any fundamentals that are missing while also getting into music that feels interesting and worthwhile to play. As we work together, I'll keep adjusting the balance of technique, repertoire, theory, ear training, improvisation, or other skills based on where you want to go.
There isn't a predetermined path every student has to follow. The goal is to develop a direction together, then keep refining it as your skills, interests, and musical goals grow.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My musical education has come through a combination of formal study, private instruction, and more than two decades of performing and making music in the real world.
I've studied piano extensively in both classical and contemporary styles, along with music theory, composition, arranging, improvisation, and organ. Over the years, I've continued developing as a musician through private study, independent learning, collaboration with other professional musicians, and the constant education that comes from performing and directing music every week.
Professionally, I work as a pianist, keyboardist, organist, and music director. That has given me experience across a wide range of musical styles and settings, from classical repertoire and traditional church music to contemporary music, bands, improvisation, arranging, and live performance.
I bring that broad musical background into my teaching. Rather than treating piano as an isolated skill, I love helping students understand how technique, theory, rhythm, harmony, ear training, improvisation, and musical expression all connect.
And after more than a decade of teaching, I've learned something equally important: knowing music and knowing how to teach music are different skills. A huge part of my development as a teacher has been learning how to explain the same musical idea in different ways until it clicks for the individual student in front of me.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard lesson rates are:
• 30-minute lesson: $30
• 60-minute lesson: $55
We'll choose the lesson length that makes the most sense based on the student's age, experience, goals, and learning style. For many younger beginners, 30 minutes is a great place to start, while older or more advanced students often benefit from a full hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I actually started teaching somewhat accidentally!
In high school, a friend of mine loved the jazz I was playing and asked if I would teach her. I gave it a try and quickly discovered how much I loved watching someone light up when a musical idea suddenly clicked or when they realized they could play something they hadn't been able to play before.
From there, I began teaching children of friends and family, and what started casually grew into something I genuinely loved doing.
More than a decade later, that moment of discovery is still one of my favorite parts of teaching. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping another person find their own connection to music and watching their confidence and excitement grow along with their ability.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with a wonderfully wide range of students over the years, from young children sitting at the piano for the first time to adults returning to music after decades away.
I've taught complete beginners, intermediate and advanced pianists, adult learners, students preparing for performances, musicians wanting to strengthen their theory or improvisation skills, and people who simply want to sit down at a piano and confidently play music they love.
I've also worked with students with very different learning styles, personalities, interests, and goals. Some thrive with structure and clear milestones; others learn best through exploration and creativity. Some love classical music, while others want pop, jazz, worship music, film scores, songwriting, or a little bit of everything.
That variety is one of the things I enjoy most about teaching. I don't expect every student to become the same kind of pianist. I want to help each student become the kind of musician they want to be.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find a teacher who makes you want to keep playing.
Experience and musical knowledge absolutely matter, but so does the relationship between a student and teacher. You should feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, trying things, and bringing your own musical interests into the room.
I'd also look for a teacher who can explain not just what to play, but why it works. Good technique and strong fundamentals are important, but they should give you more freedom to make music, not become the entire purpose of making it.
Don't be afraid to talk with a potential teacher about what you actually want from lessons. If you've always dreamed of playing Chopin, say that. If you want to understand jazz chords, play songs by ear, accompany yourself singing, join a band, or just play piano for fun after work, say that too.
And finally, give yourself permission to find the right fit. There are many excellent teachers with very different approaches. The best teacher for you is someone who understands where you want to go, knows how to help you get there, and leaves you excited to sit down at the piano again.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out! Part of my job is helping you discover what direction you want to take.
That said, a few things can be helpful to think about:
• What made you interested in piano lessons in the first place?
• Is there a particular song, artist, or style of music that makes you want to play?
• Have you taken lessons or played another instrument before?
• Is there something specific you'd love to be able to do at the piano?
• Are you looking for a structured musical education, a creative outlet, preparation for a specific goal, or simply something you've always wanted to learn?
For parents, it can also be helpful to think about what sparked your child's interest and what you'd most like them to get from lessons.
And "I'm not really sure yet, I just want to learn piano" is a perfectly good answer. We can figure out the rest together.
Services offered
Piano
Drum