South Texas Piano Academy
About
I am a concert pianist and certified all leves piano teacher.
https://2013roca.wixsite.com/stexaspiano-studio/general-information
Greetings!
Here's some info that I'm confident will convince you that I'm the ideal choice for your needs.
Background: I have 30 years of seasoned experience as an internationally known teacher and concert pianist, with experience teaching the entire spectrum of students from beginning up to professional performer/teacher levels, ages 5 through adult. I have degrees in piano performance and Piano teacher certification. In addition to judging competitions across the US and other Countries.
I've also given master classes for teachers and students in the US, Mexico, LatinoAmerica and Europe.
The competency of the teacher, whether for beginner levels or advanced, is of critical importance. Many parents will assume that simply opting for the cheapest teacher will be sufficient for a beginner. Nothing is further from the truth, as I very often get transfer students who were greatly held back in their progress due to teachers who weren't very deeply trained. Having a concertizing track also enhances my teaching skills; the best teachers are experienced in both teaching and performing. I work with a set of studio policies that specifies all policies in complete detail, in order to ensure students/parents' understanding of all expectations and to avoid any confusion. Both Leisure/Enjoyment & Serious Instruction, Coast to Coast: I provide both in-studio and online piano instruction coast to coast, and have students across the U.S. as well as in Mcallen TX, where I'm the most experienced private teacher in the area. My teaching path is different for each student, depending on your goals and likes. Not everyone wants to be a professional pianist;
I take both leisure students as well as serious students and give both a quantum leap forward in both their skill level and their enjoyment of the piano. My style of teaching is positive, constructive, and nurturing, at all levels. If you're a serious student, I will position you to qualify for major college scholarships at the world's preeminent music schools. If you're seeking online lessons, I can explain how those work, which for me is almost exactly like an in-person lesson; nothing is lost from using the online format. I give a limited number of need-based scholarships to promising students. Join the many thrilled parents and students that I've worked with, and let me take you to the next level very quickly and enjoyably with my positive, constructive teaching style. Most of all, I enjoy making a difference in students' lives, whether giving them a lifelong pastime of pleasure in playing the piano, or preparing students to be accepted into world class universities and graduate schools. I thrive on the human interaction, and inspiring students..
I take great pleasure in my work, and every parent and student will affirm that.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Teacher Responsibilities:
We will provide a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere for learning. We will continue to further our teaching skills and music knowledge by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to professional growth. I will encourage a feeling of success at each student's individual rate of learning and guide each student towards musical independence with a balanced program of theory, technique, ear-training, sight-reading and performance opportunities.We will make piano adn Voice as fun and entertaining as possible!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
An exceptional concert pianist and a brilliant director is difficult to come by”. Nevertheless, Francisco Rocafuerte is one of those unique talents; A virtuous pianist with an extensive repertoire and world class conductor.
Rocafuerte is a phenomenal pianist whose many hundreds of concerts have covered the Americas, Europe and Asia. Since his orchestral debut at age 9, he has performed many piano concertos with important symphonic orchestras aorund the world of North America and Europe.
Through his integrity, recognition of music styles, profound musical vision and artistic instinct, Rocafuerte has gained recognition as of the most recognized and talented Mexican musicians in his generation. In each one of his elaborate, detail oriented, and masterfully articulated interpretations, Rocafuerte solidifies his interest and devoutness to what is behind the notes.
Rocafuerte began his musical career as a highly respected pianist. Within his career, he has been able to perform in various countries, the recipient of a multitude of awards, and recorded various renditions of well-known pieces. Eventually Rocafuerte translated his skills to conducting and directing orchestras, proving that his knowledge in music allows him to be successful as both artist and director.
Within the University of Texas, Rocafuerte held the positions of, Professor of Piano and Professor of Orchestral Conducting. While holding these positions, Rocafuerte’s soloist career remained active and he grew more involved within different prestigious musical organizations most notably: The Austin Music Festival, The Phoenix Museum of Musical Instruments, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Houston, The Frederic Chopin Society, El Palacio de Bellas Artes (The Palace of Fine Arts of Mexico City), and other festivals or forums located in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
As a soloist, he has had the honor to be conducted by the likes of Fernando Lozano, Ramón Shade, Luis herrera de la Fuente, Francisco Savin, José Miramontes, and Carl Seill etc.
Similarly, Rocafuerte has had the honor to have studied with musicians including Edisón Quintana, Guadalupe Hernández, Georgy Sandor, Piotr Paleczny & Michel Block.
Rocafuerte has been a faculty member within Universidad Autónoma de Puebla – School of Music, “Escuela de Perfeccionamiento del centro cultural Ollin Yoliztli” (Mexico City), The University of Texas, The Austin Chamber Music Center etc., and since the year 2004, Rocafuerte has been offering master classes at almost every music conservatory within Mexico and in various institutions located within the United States.
His career has also been connected to vocal performance. Rocafuerte was the pianist for soprano, Irma González, Placido Domingo, National Opera company. Moreover, Rocafuerte was the Co-Directer for the “Bravo Opera Company” and has been the guest conductor of choral societies like “The Choir of the University of Veracruz”, “The University of Texas Chorale”, “The Quebec Chorale”, etc.
Rocafuerte has recorded musical pieces by an assortment of Mexican composers (El Piano Mexicano), Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, J.S. Bach (Piano Recital), The Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach, and has two discs with mezzo-soprano, María Avalos, dedicated to the 19th century “musica de salon” (chamber music) of the Mexican state, Puebla.
Since the year 1988, Rocafuerte has maintained a piano duet with fellow Uruguayan pianist, Edison Quintana, with whom he has presented himself with in numerous music festivals and the world premiere of Arturo Márquez’s, Danzon No. 2, for two pianos.
Francisco Rocafuerte has resided in the United States since 1995, where he keeps his musical activity extremely fluent. He performs over fifty concerts a year.
He has a Professional Piano Studio in McAllen, TX. He counts many multiple award-winners among his former students.
In this present year, Rocafuerte celebrates his 50th anniversary of his successful and extraordinary musical career.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is a monthly fee of $130.00 (for 30 minute weekly lessons) $180.00 (for 45 minute lessons) or 250.00 (for ome Hour lessons) per student due on or before the first lesson of each month. Tuition is non-refundable.
Payment for piano lessons is due in full whether the student attends each scheduled lesson or not.
Each student is scheduled for a specific weekly time slot. Your payment reserves that time slot. As with University tuition, piano lesson tuition is payable whether the student attends or not.
The monthly fee for lessons is prorated for the school year (August - June) in 11 equal payments. You will receive 38 private lessons, one studio recital (Spring), and four studio performance classes (scheduled throughout the year).
Payment Due Date/Late Fee: Payment is due on the first day of each month. There is a late fee of $10.00 for each week payment is past due. Please include the late fee with your late payment.
Registration Fee: An annual registration fee of $120 is due August, 2017 to cover the costs of recital venue, books, Spring Festival, studio lending library and incentive rewards/programs.
What Tuition Covers: Tuition covers not only the contact time spent with the student, but also the time spent in preparation for the student:
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An individualized plan for dent's course of study
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Development of teaching materials
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Recitals: Preparation of programs and refreshments
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Professional organization memberships to enhance teaching skills and provide students with opportunities for competitions, exams, and festivals