About
The Kimberly Steele Studio was born a long time ago in the late 1970s, back when I was nine years old and taking piano lessons in a desperate effort to be able to play the music that was always floating around my head. My parents were not particularly musical, so I quickly found myself on my own. My teacher, bless her heart, was absolutely terrible at teaching piano and seemed to hate having to teach at all. She would hit the boy students with a stick. Little did I know I would be forever grateful to her for teaching me exactly what not to do when I became a teacher upon graduating musical college in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has been a long and strange road from teaching in-home lessons to getting my own studio, which is currently located in Naperville. I teach piano lessons the way I believe they should be taught. I have zero intentions of getting myself or my students into Carnegie Hall, however, I have managed to earn a reputation for helping people become musicians who comfortable in their musicianship, able to play in front of people for the long haul, and at ease with the idea of regular practice over an entire lifetime. When master cellist Pablo Casales was asked at 90 years old why he continued to practice every day, he said "Because I think I'm beginning to show some improvement!" Mr. Casales had the right attitude, I think. In addition to piano lessons, the Kimberly Steele Studio offers beginning acoustic guitar lessons, voice lessons that heavily incorporate recording in a recording studio environment, and violin lessons. We offer a free interview lesson with no obligation to begin. Two or more 100 percent optional recitals are offered per year, both on and off the premises. The Kimberly Steele Studio does not offer virtual or Zoom lessons at this time, nor do we travel into students homes. We are a mask choice establishment. We do not require anyone to wear a mask and we do not ask about anyone's private medical information ever. Visit us online at kimberlysteelemusic.net to hear musical samples or visit Kimberly Steele Studio on Facebook.
I love hearing that my students from 20 - 25 years ago are still playing and singing because they enjoy it so much.
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Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Typically the student comes in for a free interview lesson that lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. During the interview, we look at the student's existing skills, if any, and then figure out what tunes they like and what they aspire to do with their music. If the student and/or the student's parent decides the Kimberly Steele Studio is the right fit, then we look at our schedules and arrange once-a-week, twice-a-month, or once-a-month lessons.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a graduate of Chicago Musical College (Bachelor's degree in Music). I was the Music Theory Chairman for the Illinois State Music Teacher's Achievement in Music Exams for Naperville from 2002-2005.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Half hour lessons, 30 minutes per week are $110 per month. Hour lessons, 60 minutes a week are $225 for a single student and $185 for siblings (one half hour each sibling). A la carte lessons are $55 for an hour. For 2x a month lessons or 1x a month lessons, please contact me for a price list.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching in-home lessons from my car in 1996!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all ages and levels of students, including learning disabled students. Many of my students are adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Our recent piano recital was amazing! Lots of kids who went in feeling a bit nervous and came out feeling like recitals are no big deal at all.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Any music teacher who is serious will provide a free interview lesson. Music lessons are potentially a very long relationship and not providing an interview lesson is unprofessional and sketchy.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should be realistic about their expectations and be willing to put in regular practice at least 4 days a week.