Glenda's Piano Studio

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Sewell, NJ

About

Music has always been a big part of my life and I very much want to share it with others whether they just want to listen or if they want to learn how to do it themselves. It's also a great way to develop self-assurance and discipline without any threat of physical injury like sports or constant costs like dance, karate, and gymnastics. And it's one-on-one! Students do not "compete" - each student learns according to his/her own ability, style, and speed.

I keep my costs down so I can reach more students. Things are tough for everybody these days and certainly piano lessons are non-essential. I would rather see more students enjoy learning piano and music than brag about how much money I make. Also, I use a really wonderful lesson/method book that's also quite expensive. Since I have a registered (in NJ) music business, I can purchase multiple copies and "loan" them to students instead of asking parents to pay $40-$60 for books that will be useful for only a few months. Once the student has completed each set in the series, those books are returned to me and the next level is provided. For me, it's an office supply deduction on my income taxes. For students, it's a big savings!

Highlights

Hired 6 times

1 employee

50 years in business

Serves Sewell, NJ

Payment methods

Cash, Check

Specialties

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes

Student's age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Student has instrument

Students who have a piano, Students who have a keyboard

Interested musical styles

Classical, Jazz, Pop, I can make recommendations

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Frequently asked questions

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

You must have access to a piano or keyboard (64+ keys) so you can practice during the week. Schedule a lesson by calling the studio (856-582-1984). Most lessons are Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday but those may be expanded as more students are added. Payment is cash or check, most often paid at each lesson. There are discounts if more than one student from the same household is taking weekly lessons.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I have a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University PA . My piano professor there was Mrs. Miriam Gottlieb - a 2nd generation student of Franz Liszt. In my junior and senior year, I was President of the WCMENC (West Chester Music Educators National Conference) and did my student teaching in Kennet Square and Boyertown, PA. As a requirement for classes in Piano Pedagogy (teaching piano), I had several students from the town of West Chester who came to campus for private lessons with me and to participate in the required classroom demonstrations of my teaching techniques. I've been a church musician (piano and organ) since high school and, though retired from doing weekly services, I still take substitute jobs wherever I'm needed.

Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.

I know that music can be a very expensive endeavor. The first piano that my parents bought cost just $50, the book was $.75 (It's now over $5!) and the lessons were $1.50. That teacher had never gone to school to learn music and her two inch fingernails should have been a red flag to my parents! I have made a sincere pledge about keeping my prices low. I would much rather teach more students who really want to learn than a handful of kids "who can afford it". I charge $20 for a lesson that usually runs for more than 30 minutes and I "loan" books instead of making a profit reselling them. I have many file drawers full of books that are used, and some abused, mostly found at yard sales or estate closings. And access to several online resources where I can print out copies of songs you want to learn next.

How did you get started teaching?

I started teaching when I was a high school senior with only one student. And I'm delighted to find that this first student became the Music Minister for his church and loves his work there! After college, I was hired to teach general music in the Runnemede school district. Near the end of that first year, the school board decided that several staff would need to be deleted so that they could hire the teachers and buy equipment needed for the new Home Ec and Shop departments. In the process of applying and interviewing for another public school job, I realized that I was much happier teaching private piano lessons instead of all the politics and frustrations of classroom teaching. For several years, I drove house to house to meet my students each week. After marriage and starting our family, I turned our living room into my piano studio where I not only teach lessons but also get together with other musicians to practice for concerts, weddings, etc.

What types of students have you worked with?

Far easier to recall a request from a young blind singer I have accompanied several times. He wanted very much to learn how to play piano but I seriously had to explain that, in such a situation, I would be the one with the "handicap" because I have absolutely no experience with being blind or personally knowing any pianist who was blind. Yes, there's Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder - but, well, let's just say that there are some who have "The Gift" and the rest of us work to develop our dream. I've taught kids with hearing issues, blurred vision, various forms of autism, missing finger joints, arthritis pain, spoiled brats, and, worst of all, the ones who say they are here only because Mom is making them do it.

Describe a recent event you are fond of.

Over the years, I've helped several students get into college to study music. Many were no focusing on piano as their major instrument but they all were aware that knowing "some" piano was essential to getting a degree to teach and/or perform. This year, I have a very special student who could have selected any number of majors for her college education, but she has decided to play and write jazz music. She graduates in June and will be attending one of the nation's premier music universities on a full scholarship.

What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?

There are a LOT of people out there teaching piano lessons who know very little about reading music, rhythm, and most of the millions of little things that go into taking those little black notes from the page, through your eyes, into your fingers to create MUSIC! And a lot of them are charging enormous fees! Ask questions before you decide to start the lessons. Ask them to play a song or two - and hand them a printed song to sight read (not play by ear). Is there a place where they routinely perform - where you can go to listen and watch?

What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

Use the same questions that you've just read here! In the years I've been teaching, ONLY TWO PARENTS ASKED ME QUESTIONS about my background! What really shocks me is that most parents would ask a LOT of questions before they hire a babysitter - but a casual "word of mouth" referral for a piano teacher is considered "good enough".

Services offered

Piano