About
I'm excited to start working with you. I love your interest in music and learning the piano. I'm a pianist and music theorist with a master's degree in Music Performance and Music Theory at the University of Minnesota. For the past 18 years, I've been an active performer and had participated in multiple competitions and recitals, obtaining several prizes and distinctions, as well as given recitals in and out of the country in halls such as Carnegie Hall, Moscow House of Music, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, etc. Those experiences have given me the opportunity to know the field and open up my vision of the world. That vision has been translated into my teaching approach, and for the past 6 years, I've been motivating students to become their own musicians. Currently, I'm a member of the piano faculty at NYU Steinhardt where I'm persuing my DMA in Piano Performance.
Every student is different. Each shows a different personality and thus the outcome of their learning is always different. To me, it is fascinating to see how the same subject (music notation, harmony, sight-reading, technique, performance, styles, etc) needs to be taught differently to meet the potential of each student. The progress my students show really motivates me to do what I do because for a teacher, their students' success reflects the quality of his or her job. My objective is to enhance the student's musical strengths and use them to learn new repertoire and skills.
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Heather
Dessa B.
Alyssa I.
Kelly H.
Ana L.
Trang, T.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I appreciate your interest in joining my studio! First, an introductory lesson will be offered for free in-studio ($40 charge if done in-home or online) in order to review aspects such as the level of the student, behavior, skills, personality, and others. It is an opportunity for the student as well to ask questions and learn about my teaching philosophy. Those aspects are taken into consideration and are useful to choose the best approach for the new student, including materials, schedule, and methodology. Afterward, I will notify the student of an acceptance or rejection. If accepted, the student will be given a studio policies form to sign (or parents in the case of minors), a studio schedule for setting up lessons, and related documents. Lessons then will proceed in a weekly basis for the duration of your choosing from the available options.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
- BM degree in Music Performance - Piano from the University of Minnesota.
- MA Music Theory and MM Music Performance at the University of Minnesota.
- Multiple distinctions in and out of the country in important piano competitions.
- Experience in piano academies such as City Strings, CSMA, and Kramer School of Music.
- Experience as a Teaching Assistant for the department of Music Theory at the University of Minnesota from 2020 to 2022.
- Performance experience including feature recitals in USA, Costa Rica, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Russia, and others.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
-IN-STUDIO (Student travels to the studio located in Plymouth, MN)
$180 per month (30 minutes weekly lessons)
$205 per month (45 minutes weekly lessons)
$250 per month (60 minutes weekly lessons)
-IN-HOME AND ONLINE LESSONS (Teacher travels to the student up to 30 miles from Plymouth)
$205 per month (30 minutes weekly lessons)
$225 per month (45 minutes weekly lessons)
$270 per month (60 minutes weekly lessons)
*Plans available per enrollment on a monthly, bi-monthly, or semester basis with discount opportunities: Monthly plan = 3%, Bimonthly plan = 5%, Semester plan = 7%.
*Includes recital opportunities per semester.
*Free in-studio introductory lesson ($40 for in-home and online lessons)
*Accepted payment methods are: cash, checks, Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. Credit or debit card payments accepted through PayPal as well with an added 3%.
How did you get started teaching?
It's actually a quite short and funny story perhaps, but ever since early on in my career I knew I was going to develop my training to become a professional pianist and pedagogue, the first lesson I ever taught was to help a friend who was struggling with rhythms and hand coordination with his primary instrument, drums. His teacher believes that learning the basics of piano technique will be useful for him and so he approached me given that he knew about my career.
It probably helped that I gave my first lesson to a friend to build my experience and confidence from the beginning. Ever since I've changed many things, and I continue to learn and adapt since students always show different levels of skills, strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. A teacher needs to be able to find what works best for each student.
What types of students have you worked with?
I teach students of all levels and ages with goals varying between exposure to the instrument and music in general up to those seeking a more technical and advance knowledge.