About
ERICA FEIDNER. Take piano lessons with the piano teacher who:
* Studied at The Juilliard School
* Concert pianist
* Piano soloist with Albany Symphony, Nashua Symphony, VT Symphony
* 2 patents issued on her teaching approach
* SUBJECT of an 8-page feature story in The New Yorker magazine, now optioned for feature film
* Featured on CNN, PBS, NHK, A&E, Hallmark Channel
* Scholarship winner, Miss America
* "10 Greatest Salespeople of All Time"
* On the cover of Inc. magazine
* Earned her MBA in Marketing
* Top salesperson worldwide for Steinway & Sons
Well, hi, there! I'm Erica Feidner.
I began playing piano at age 3, and teaching at 9. I grew up in a family of pianists and piano teachers in a house with 26 pianos in it!
Years ago, I created an easy way to read music and play piano in one session. It's so easy and so effective, I patented it. (Patents are only issued if a layman understands it.)
It's called "EasyPeasyKeys"!! Imagine learning to read music and play piano in one patented session - while having fun!
My approach to reading music is intuitive, logical, and easy, providing immediate results and enduring retention. No more confusing clefs, no more tedious note-naming, no more impossible memorization! HOW?!? Just ask me!
I TEACH THE WAY YOU THINK! If you're struggling to understand something, that's on me. If you're not having fun during your lesson, that's on me. And I will find a way to fix it.
In my group classes with adult beginners, participants learn to read music in under an hour. Thereafter, each person learns an assigned piece unique to them and we have a recital! ALL WITHIN 90 MINUTES! To date, my success rate is 100%.
Many of my younger students don't even realize they're taking a lesson. They think it's a PLAYDATE with me! Often, they arrive at their lesson saying, "I'm ready for Piano Fun!"
I teach students of all ages and all levels in private or group sessions. Classes are usually classically inspired and include theory, composition, improvisation, sight reading, ear training, sight singing, and performance, based on the needs and wishes of each student.
For additional information about my work, simply Google "Erica Feidner" or view www.ericafeidnerpianostudio.com.
To get started, just give me a call, text 203.644.9197, or email me at [email protected].
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Erica
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
During the first lessons, Erica shows the student how to read music and discusses their wishes with regard to interest and progress.
Erica believes it's the teacher's responsibility to understand the student, not the other way around. By discovering the particular musical interests of each student, Erica begins teaching to the student's interest, nurturing confidence and enthusiasm.
Erica teaches students as young as age 2, and beyond!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Juilliard School, Pre-College Division, age 11-14
BFA, Piano Performance SUNY College at Purchase
MBA, Marketing Management, CUNY Baruch at Zicklin
Erica began playing the piano when she was 3 years old and teaching at 9. Soon after, she was awarded a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music, Pre-College Division.
At 11, Erica made her solo orchestral debut with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and subsequent solo engagements with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Nashua Symphony Orchestra, among others.
While continuing her concert career, Erica earned a BFA in Piano Performance from SUNY Purchase, During her sophomore year, Erica became Miss Vermont 1985 and moved on to the Miss America Scholarship Pageant. In Atlantic City, she won a talent award which enabled her to purchase her first Steinway piano. Following graduation, Erica established a successful piano teaching practice in NYC and was later issued two patents on her teaching approach.
Following her graduation with an MBA from CUNY Baruch, Erica joined Steinway & Sons. She became the top sales representative for Steinway worldwide for eight consecutive years.
Erica's wish to match clients to pianos of all makes inspired her to found her own company, "Piano Matchmaker LLC." She continues to be the single driving force behind it, from its inception in 2005.
How did you get started teaching?
Erica began teaching when she was 9 years old! She is from a family of 7 pianists and teachers, and her childhood home has 26 pianos in it to this day!
Erica is a founding member of Summer Sonatina, a piano camp run by her family in Old Bennington, VT. 2019 marked the camp's 50th Anniversary! It is here at Sonatina that Erica began teaching piano.
What types of students have you worked with?
Erica has lots of experience teaching students as young as 2 years old. Erica teaches adults as well.
She has 2 patents relating to reading music very quickly, so she loves teaching beginners. In addition, she teaches very advanced students, some of whom have gone on to become fine pianists in their own right.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
EXCITING NEWS FLASH! Erica was the featured subject in a story in "The New Yorker" magazine in 2001, written by James B. Stewart, a Pulitzer prize winning journalist. The story was optioned by Tessa Ross for a feature film in 2019! Ms. Ross is the Executive Producer for such films as "Slumdog Millionaire", "12 years a Slave", Billy Elliot", among others. We expect filming to begin in sometime in 2020.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Students should be interviewing the teacher, not the other way around. Students themselves know which teacher will serve them best. Choose a teacher whose students are happy during their lessons and progressing to their best ability. This is Erica's forte.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1. Would you like to have fun during your lessons and when you are visiting the piano?
2. Would you like to progress faster than you and others ever imagined?
3. Would you like your teacher to be loads of fun while being professional?
4. Would you like a teacher who is extremely dedicated to her students?
If your answer to these questions is "yes," contact Erica at [email protected].