Donna Allard Wada's Piano Studio
About
I teach tradition lessons and the Suzuki Approach which begins teaching children at age 3 into adulthood.
I have many adults who have decided to take lessons, telling me it's something they've always wanted to do. It's a wonderful thing to see them learn and they always tell me going to the piano is so relaxing and allows them to forget everything else that is going on in their busy lives. They work on music that will make them want to practice, Patiotic, folk, pop, classical, etc.
Young children do not read music immediately but learn by the “mother tongue” also known as "by rote". Eventually they read music but the process is so much easier than beginning with traditional lessons. Using the Suzuki Approach, students learn the basics first without all the information necessary to read and it’s a smooth transition into reading. Imagine teaching a 3 year old to bake cookies. You give them all the ingredients that you've measured out and explain each step, cracking the egg, stirring the dry ingredients into the liquid, adding walnuts, grease the pan etc. The child is able to do it successfully because you've read the directions and in the end the cookies come out tasting delicious. The child is delighted and feels great about him/herself. This is how the Suzuki Approach works. I teach the child without them reading the music. Eventually, as in baking cookies where they will read the directions, the child learns to read the music and it's so much easier because they already have learned the basics necessary to understand what the written notation represents. I’ve taught students who are blind and visually impaired, people with autism, OCD and other learning disabilities. I teach many adults who have always wanted to learn to play piano. I teach using music that each individual student enjoys. I graduated from the university of Lowell in 1978 and taught public school for over 36 years. I’m now retired but continue to teach my passion which is piano. I’ve taken many workshops all over New England and Canada. If you like the music you will practice. I find teaching piano to be so rewarding and inspiring. Everyone can learn with the correct teacher and method. Try it and I believe you will love it as I do.
I love to watch students enjoy what they are learning. I enjoy making it a fun experience that my student's want to embrace for the joy it brings to their lives. Music surrounds us and to make music yourself is the ultimate.
I charge $25.00 for a half hour lesson. I do not teach on Fridays or weekends.
Give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!
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Able to read music
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Depending on the age and goals of the student will determine what we will work on. If the student is age 3-8 I like to begin using the Suzuki Approach to teaching them. If the child is older, then usually the traditional lessons, learning to read music, works well. If the student is an adult traditional lessons as well. Once the basics are learned, we branch off learning genre's that the student enjoys. My goal is to have students learning to play piano using the music that they love most of all.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from the University of Lowell with a BM. (Bachelor of Music in Education)
I have taken many Suzuki Piano Workshops throughout New England and week long Institutes at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, twice at UNH, twice at the University of Maine in Bangor and Wheaton College in Norton, MA.
I taught Public School Music for 36 years. I taught in the Fitchburg Public School and Chelmsford Public School Systems.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25.00 per half hour lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching piano when I was a student in college and found it extremely rewarding. There is nothing like teaching and watching students improve and love to play piano. Children are like little sponges. When they come to their lesson and have mastered a skill, they are so proud to show me. I love it! When adult students tells me that it is so relaxing and they forget the stresses of life, I am so happy.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students from ages 3-adulthood. Many retired people who've always wanted to learn start and it is a wonderful experience for them and myself.
Over the past 41 years I've taught several blind students, many autistic students, students with OCD, students with motor skill problems and others with different learning disabilitles.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Every lessons is wonderful. This past week I had 5 year old Erik who is a Suzuki student. He's just starting to learn a new piece. Erik was doing a good job at his lesson, struggling with one small passage but practicing makes a huge difference. He obviously went home to master his piece and his Mom posted Erik playing the music on Facebook and wanted to make sure I saw him doing it. When things like this happen, it is so rewarding.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to take a lesson or 2 to see if the teacher is a good fit for your needs.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Can they find the time to practice?
What type of music do they want to learn if it's an older student?
Is the teacher available to answer questions that might arise inbetween lessons?