The Music Studio Of Virginia Beach
About
Welcome to The Music Studio! Whether you're a beginner, or revisiting Piano Lessons, our formula for student success (and the secret to getting really, really good!) is in a solid music foundation, lesson design, and restructure, that addresses the limitations and issues within the "traditional private 30-minute lesson" -- such as lesson length, nerves, unsupervised practice, lack of mastery, under-developed sight reading skills, under-developed performance skills and anxiety...and most of all, the lack of foundation upon which all other music skills happen. We focus on building confidence and independence, superior reading and practice skills, and making sure our students get results and LOVE what they're accomplishing. But, there's even more to our formula. We also want parents to experience and enjoy some "Lesson Success", so we make sure students conquer any musical and practice issues during their lesson. Playing at home is actually FUN -- never a chore, and never a battle!
One of the best and unique things about our Piano program is our focus on helping students develop great sight reading skills. Sight reading -- which is being able to play through music without any prior preparation -- is one of the most neglected (and feared!) piano skills, and is typically the underlying reason students eventually become discouraged and stop lessons. It's a very difficult skill to master since it requires reading a TON of fresh new music, and most students spend their practice time "re-practicing" thier current songs. However, our longer lessons, coupled with our independent learning style, naturally encourage sight reading from the moment students begin lessons. And, when they can read music easily the first time through, they are confident exploring even more music, playing for others, and don't mind practicing at home. Sight reading is truly one of the keys to making rapid progress and long-term success playing piano.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We recommend all interested families first sign up for a Complimentary Tryout Lesson. It's gives them a chance to visit our studio, meet teachers, experience our lesson format, ask questions, and see if we're a good fit!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Susan Flinn holds a degree in Music from James Madison University, and received the National Association of Music Merchants Scholarship in 1989. She has been teaching Piano and Strings for over 30 years in Virginia, and currently works with students in person at both her Stafford and Virginia Beach studios, and also teaches online working with students across the country. As part of the Committee on Technology, she has spoken at the World Piano Pedagogy Conference and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy concerning the use of technology in the private teaching studio. She is currently Chairperson for the Rappahannock Music Society Jazz Festival, Fredericksburg, Virginia. She offers instruction in Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass, to ages 7 through Adult, beginning through advanced levels, as well as performance/competition/audition preparation. Her students perform regularly in local festivals, studio recitals, and competitive events. Susan was voted 'Best Music Instructor" in Inside NoVa's Best of Stafford 2019 & 2020.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
We base our tuition prices on a 45-week lesson year (with major holidays and training days marked as "off" on our calendar, and charge an averaged fixed amount monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes weekly. There is no term contract; lessons simply continue month-to-month, with 30 days notice required if discontinuing. We offer the flexibility of rescheduling missed lessons for any reason, and make-ups can be scheduled at any time during the year.
How did you get started teaching?
Susan began teaching in college, while majoring in music, and continued private teaching full-time after graduating. She expanded business by opening The Music Studio in 2005, and opened a second studio location in Virginia Beach in March of 2023.
What types of students have you worked with?
Students of all levels and abilities, to include children within the Autism Spectrum, ages 4 - adult. We enjoy working with beginners, as well as more experienced transfer students. We also welcome military families, who may have difficulty finding teachers for the short-term.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
We love seeing our students shine in any situation, but are thrilled to have three of our students compete in an international competition (all different years) that allowed them to perform at Carnegie Hall, in New York! They were amazing experiences!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
We hear "I'd like my child to have more personal attention" a lot from parents seeking lessons for their children. Our advice here is to be open to considering a program that encourages your child's independence and lets them "learn how to learn". Although traditional private lessons have typically been the gold standard for hundreds of years, this style of teaching can create a dependence on the instructor (maybe not intentionally, but it does). And, this means that your child can only musically grow to the level of that instructor or program. Programs that give students the skills and confidence to think for themselves and explore music on their own, no matter the level of difficulty, ensure unlimited advancement! Sure...we're talking about OUR program, but it's absolutely true that we want our students to be even BETTER than us one day!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
All questions are welcome! But, definitely let us know if you have any personal goals -- styles of music, particular songs you love, a performance you aspire to! It's totally fine to start lessons without any particular end-game in mind, though....piano is fun! But, it's a journey, too, so let us know if you are curious about opportunities along the way :).