About
Golden Era Piano Lessons
My private piano studio provides high quality and personalized private lessons for passionate musicians of all ages. Lessons are provided both in person for local pianists and virtually for out of state and out of country students.
My teaching focuses on the techniques of Golden Era piano playing through the lens of modern educational practices. I specialize in the Old Russian School technique (like Van Cliburn was taught), the Lesetchesky approach (descendent of Beethoven), Taubman technique, and true legato and phrasing. I also teach about harmony, structure, form, and most importantly, developing a connection to each student's inner musical voice through interpretation.
Students in my studio have gone on to compete, go to competative private schools, play at Julliard, and apply for Fulbright Scholarships.
I have over 40 awards for piano ranging from small towns to internationa acclaim. I have a Bachelors degree from Idaho State University, and a Masters degree from Cambridge's own Longy Conservatory, and I have been teaching professionaly for 10 years.
If you or your child are deeply connected to classical music and are serious about delving into it's great mysteries, then please inquire about availability and a free trial lesson.
https://www.adamjmerrill.com/golden-era-piano-lessons
The piano is my longest, closest, and best friend! The music that we have made has taken us on the most amzing adventures. I so enjoy sharing my love of music with my students! A snapshot of joy in my day to day life is seing that sparkle in a students eye when they overcome a challenge or fall more deeply in love with music making.
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
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Frequently asked questions
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do subscription lessons. I have an hourly rate, adjust for weeks with no lessons in a year, and then create a consistant monthly rate that students pay. There are also discounts for homeschoolers and under specific circumstances scholarships for those that might need it.
How did you get started teaching?
I was young, playing on an old garage sale piano, and when i was learning the mystical Clair De Lune, I realized my piano didn't have all of the notes! Myself, nor my parents could beleive it! I really wanted a piano with all of the notes, but a twelve year old uder the best of circumstances can only hold down about $20 at a time. My parents made a deal that for in exchange for an ancient but playable piano (with all 88 ivories and ebonies!), I could give both of them and my siblings lessons to pay for its $100 cost. From then, I never stopped teaching and learning more about teaching. :)
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students from 4 - 80 years old. Though I can teach popular styles, my specialty is classical piano. My favorite students are the ones who truly LOVE music and playing piano, because we get along very well.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
In addition to finding teachers that are accomplished, consider what their students might do or get from their information. There are many fabulus pianists out there, but finding a great TEACHER of piano is more rare. Find teachers who talk about their students, who have teaching philosophies, and who find joy in music and teaching, ot just those that are good pianists. You learn most about the person giving you the lessons, so if they love music and find joy through music, you might as well.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ask yourself some of these questions:
What is my favorite type of music? Why do I like it?
Why do you want to take lesson about playing the piano.
Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?
What kind of piano music do you like or admire?
What kind of daily/weekly time comitment do I want invest into my piano playing.
What do you love most about music in general?