Barbara Yaross Piano Studio
About
I can show you -or your child --how to reach your full musical and pianistic potential. Together, we will utilize proven techniques and guidence with personable flexibility to unlock your path to the greatest music ever written.
For more than 20 years I have taught students of all age and abilities as they work to discover their unique potential. My greatest desire is to inspire every one of them to see and to love the beauty and emotional depths of music, and to find those qualities in even the simplest pieces they play.
I am patient and flexible, allowing my students to progress at their own pace. I am encouraging and enthusiastic as I help them build a strong technical foundation, acquire good reading skills, develop an understanding of music theory—and simply enjoy making music.
If students want to perform, I help them prepare for everything from studio recitals to regional festivals and competitions. My students who have performed in public have been consistently praised for their technical accomplishments, their interpretive skills, and their musicality. Many former students have gone on to study music in college and to have a career in music.
I have a masters degree , have taught at numrerous Chicago area institutions, and currently enjoy having a private studio in Evanston, where students get to play on an exceptional six-foot Steinway Grand Piano
I am passionate about music and its ability to enrich all our lives—a love nurtured by all the wonderful teachers I had, a love I hope to pass on to every student I have.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to get to know each students current musical skills and get to know what they are interested in learning to play and to accomplish. I then begin to build on their strennghts while developing other areas that need strenthening. My process is to evaluate each student's responses and to keep trying to find the best way to help each student learn.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a second generation musicain and painaist and have degreees in Piano Performance. I've also had expensive training in pedagogy/ teaching, and understand -and love- helping students acheive their goals, which I have been doing for over 20 years.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do. I chargeas follows:
$35.00 for 30 minutes
$48.00 for 45 minutes
$70 for 60 minutes
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching while in high school, and while in College, I began teaching before graduating with my degree in Piano Performance. Many of my Professors would send students to me who needed extra help, and I also began working as a teaching substitute and assistant to (the late) Eloise Niwa, who was the Second Keyboardist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I began giving private lessons in piano full time after recieving my Performance Degree-- and still love it!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with every type immaginable, from 5-80 years old.Those students have had all levels of ability and drive, and I enjoy working with any student who wants to learn and wishes to grow in their abilities and interest in music.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love attending live Classical Music Concerts, and recently went to one at Ravinia. I have season tickets to the Piano Series at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and look forward to that. I also love to thear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as the Lyricd Opera.
I also enjoy art and going to art museums and have also studies painting and drawing and art history. I love learning, reading and expanding my own kmnowledge!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for someone with a Degree in music Performance, who seems to love teaching. Otherwise, they may be an amature musician who is looking to make some extra money, but not neccessarily a serious music educator Also, not all great pianists make great teachers.
Be open to learning new things, and be aware that attemps to correct something you are doing "wrong" , is not something personal, but that classical musicians are highly trained to abserve, listen , correct and explain. That is how we all have learned to improve. When you don't understand something: ask!
Ask questions to the person you are considering hiring, and make sure thay are degreed in Piano Performance. Good Luck!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What kind of music would you want to learn to play?
What kind of music have you heard? What do you like?
What are your goals for taking piano lessons?
How much time are you willing to put into to learn how to paly a musical instrument?