APPLAUSE Piano Studio, Inc.

I have 3 degrees in music, including music education and piano pedagogy.  I received certification to teach private piano at the glorious age of 14.  You can only imagine the many years of experience I've had. I'm now a young, child-centered teacher in my early sixties (and many call me then fun grandma teacher)!!  I have blessed to be teaching piano to thousands of children throughout the capital district, and online to out of state students. I love what I do, have never lost my passion for teaching piano.  I am grateful to all the students whom I'd had the pleasure to work with.  I am proud of the many students, who chose their career path to be in the music industry.  I'm also proud of the children who did not go on in music.  Our musical journey was magical and instilled a life long love and enjoyment of music!

I also taught Kindermusik (children from birth to seven years of age) and a caregiver for many years. I recently retired this year for two reasons, the coronavirus and arthritis.  I still keep in contact with many of the families and quite a few study piano with me today!

This year, my new goal is to create a small group (no more than 3-4 children and their caregiver) for the three year old children, called "Mini Musicians!"  Its a labor of love.  Yet, I am so excited that many of my Kindermusik families requested to continue their child's  magical musical journey with me!!   I am truly blessed.  

Yes, I provide a variety of options to pay tuition.  I offer 30, 45 and hour lessons,  Pre-Piano lessons for 2 children in a group for ages 4-6.  Private lessons for ages 6+ to ? it varies, as I do teach adults as well  I try to accommodate all my families but offering a variety of payment options to work within their budget.  I do offer scholarships to students who have been with me for four years, who are dedicated and need financial assistance and to families who have 3 or more children taking lessons.

My grandmother was a concert pianist (self-taught) at the age of 17.  She was also a professor of music at various colleges.  She was awarded the Nadia Boulanger scholarship to study piano in Paris, France. Unfortunately, her mother took ill and she felt her place was at home to care for her.  However, she studied piano with Stojowski in New York City.  He was a pupil of Paderewski, who was a pupil of Beethoven.  
My grandma, Alice would ALWAYS play the piano anytime we were together.  My sisters and I would dance to her music as young children.  She taught us several rote songs and her compositions for children.  
I ALWAYS wanted to learn how to play, but grandma only taugh students who were studying to be concert pianists and students working for their Master's Degrees in Piano Pedagogy.                                                        I wasn't allowed to take lessons with her until I had at least three years of private lessons and three years is separate theory and composition classes.  Every teacher I had, begged my grandmother to become my teacher, but she had made up her mind.  When I was 12, I FINALLY was able to study with her.  At the age of 14, I graduated from the Octovo School of Musical Art and was given certification to teach private lessons.  Everyone in my neighborhood (they are the  families I also babysat for) wanted lessons.  So in 1972, I charged the double per hour that I charged for babysitting!  50 cents for a half hour lesson and $1.00 for an hour.
I am proud to say that those children stayed with me (all but 1), till they graduated from high school. 

I have worked in a school district as the music teacher for several years. You can imagine the diversity in public school personalities. As a piano teacher I have worked in private schools and my own piano school since 1979.  I have worked with children with Asperger's syndrome, hyperactivity, and Down syndrome.   I believe all children are capable, creative and deserving of a music education. 

I enjoy every interaction with my students.  They love the recitals and being able to perform.  

Look for the best match for your personality and learning style.  Don't look at price, you always get what you pay for.  Be sure to gather all the information about that teachers qualifications and teaching philosophy.  Does that teacher follow a strict method for having you learn the piano, or are they flexible for what you are looking for.  

Why do you want to learn how to play the piano?  How long do you think it will take to be able to play something?  How long will it take to be proficient?  What style, genre of music are you interested in?  How dedicated to practice will you be? 20 minutes a day? An hour? How many days will you commit for practice?  What if something comes up that keeps you from practicing?  (Example: school projects, illness, vacations)?  How many extracurricular activities do you participate in and how will you schedule your lesson and practice time?  Do you know a specific composition or person that has inspired you to want to learn the piano?  Have you talked with that person about what it took to be able to play it?  Have you discussed this with your parents ( unless you are an adult student)? 
Do you have a particular learning style? Are you more visual, auditory or haptic?