Tomi’s Piano Studio
About
With my studio, you will find your students learning the most beneficial material and having an immeasurable amount of fun. My years of experience help me lead my students into a beautiful world of music and enthusiasm for learning. Teaching has been a passion of mine and becoming more so as I progress through college and earn my Masters in Piano Performance and Music Composition. I plan to continue through my education and earn my Doctorate in Piano Performance or Music Therapy. I am an advocate for music in disability and love to open the door for everyone to enjoy music.
I am a Graduate Piano Performance Major at Oklahoma City University and study under Dr. Sergio Monteiro. Also, I am a singer and composer, studying under Dr. Edward Knight.
My accomplishments include First Place for the Collegiate Pianist Division in the 2018 Ladies Music Club Scholarship Competition and First Place for the Oklahoma Community Orchestra Competition in 2019. I was the treasurer for two years in Sigma Alpha Iota and a resident assistant at OCU! I love being able to work with people and make connections all around the globe through these priceless organizations.
What I truly enjoy is seeing the light in my students whenever they perform or play a piece they love. I enjoy seeing my students grow to success and reach the goals they’ve been dreaming of as well!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Whenever I work with a new student, it is best to see what they are capable of. I have to analyze the student and be able to see what type of progress they will make and how much they would be able to carry from week to week. It’s very important to me to understand the interests of my students and know what would be helpful for them in the way that I teach and what would best influence positive learning in their life. I want to bring light to the music inside of my students and help develop a deep passion for music.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been playing piano up to 12 years and am on my first year of college for Piano Performance in a Masters Program in OKC.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I give lessons from 30 minutes to an hour, which is dependent on age and caliber of the student. I charge by month and require that payments be at the beginning of each month. 30 minute lessons for one month is $150. 45 minute lessons for one month is $160. 1 hour lessons for one month is $200. This includes 2 recitals for the winter and spring.
How did you get started teaching?
I start teaching through my professors and music teachers in my life who inspired me. I have always been surrounded by music educators and it has immensely changed my life having such influences who make music their life.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students ages 8-12 primarily. But, I have also taught adults from ages 20 up to 50!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
One of my lessons, my student asked if I could show him a piano solo that I have composed. After I played, he was extremely excited and entranced with the music. The following week, he told me that he had composed a piece and wanted to show me! After he played it for me, I notated the piece for him and was seriously impressed! I was so happy knowing my student was influenced so much that he wrote his own composition!!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
While there are an abundance of good piano teachers, you truly want to find someone who makes it about their life AND career. We need piano teachers with a high level of professionalism and dedication, otherwise the student will not get the best musical education. You need to find teachers who have a great sense of pedagogy, technical skill, and knowledge of all aspects of keyboard literature and repertoire. It’s best for this because each student is different and should be crafted specially because of the way they learn.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Am I able to practice every day? Will other activities I am invested in get into the way of my lessons? Will I cancel lessons often? Would I be dedicated like my teacher? Can I respect my teachers time during the lesson and pay attention? Can I be calm and thoughtful for my teacher? Can I follow instruction well and try my best during my lessons? Will I be able to perform in my recitals and perform in competitions and state/district leveling?