To get started, book a free info session. This gives new families an opportunity to tour the studio, meet the teacher, and learn about the program. If you can’t find a session time that works for you, let us know.

Current scheduling options will be provided by the teacher after meeting each student.

After the free info session, families must complete their registration by creating a My Music Staff account. This includes setting up their billing information and enabling Auto-Pay, which is a requirement for all studio families. Once their account is created, families will have full access to the My Music Staff Student Portal.

Students with any prior experience may also be asked to book a private lesson to assess their skills, provide additional scheduling options, and help them acclimate to the curriculum before joining a class.

Students ages 4-18 begin with a 3-week trial with an appropriate class. The trial includes three 50-minute group classes. Trial tuition is $200/student.

The trial is meant to help establish new classes and make sure everything is a good fit before committing to ongoing lessons. Once the trial is complete, you will have the opportunity to continue regular lessons, or perhaps try a different class that may better suit your needs.

Upon completing the trial, families of young students (ages 4-18) pay tuition either monthly or annually. Monthly tuition is $255/student, or you can pay for the semester (5 months) with a 10% discount. The Fall Semester runs August-December. The Spring Semester runs January-May.

New adult students begin with an 8-week session in either a beginner or multi-level class. The 8-week session includes eight 50-minute group classes. Tuition is $495/student.

Materials are billed separately and as needed.

Tuition is based on the studio’s operational expenses and the instructor’s commitment to teach, not whether a student attends class. In addition to class time, tuition covers lesson planning, recording new content, and providing feedback on practice videos. Tuition also includes all performance opportunities and studio resources like Practice Space and Sproutbeat.

There will be a small, annual tuition increase each year in August.

Yes! All families are eligible for a $50 tuition credit when they refer a new family to the studio.

Families with students ages 4-18 also have the option to pay for the semester (5 months) for a 10% discount.

Refer to the studio policies for full details.

Piano lessons have traditionally been in a private setting mainly because of the instrument itself - teachers could rarely afford more than one piano and multiple acoustic instruments made for a loud and chaotic environment. Digital pianos make group piano classes effective and embrace modern music technology.

Students thrive in group learning in school, dance, sports, and band. So why not piano? The social element and exceptional support of a group environment produce a unique and deeply enjoyable experience. Students are inspired to try their best as they learn the importance of working together. Positive peer pressure also motivates students to practice since they regularly play in front of and with each other. Learning music in a group setting also leads to increased confidence and independence.

Group piano students gain the skills required to collaborate with other musicians. In addition to learning how to play solo, students learn how to be part of an ensemble - a necessary skill for anyone interested in joining a band, orchestra, choir, or other group.

Our programs use a blend of Piano Safari and Piano Pyramid curricula.

Young beginners usually start in either Piano Safari Friends (ages 4-6) or Piano Safari Level 1 (ages 6-10). This method provides a unique blend of rote and reading material while promoting strong technique and creativity.

Older beginners hone their basics and then enter a multi-level class that incorporates Piano Pyramid repertoire. Piano Pyramid offers 5 different leveled parts from Prep Pianist through Pianist 4. Students can work at their own pace through these levels while also making music with multi-level classmates. This flexible approach allows students to challenge themselves when they’re ready. It also offers the option for students to relax and enjoy where they are.

In addition to these core methods, all classes regularly drill sight reading, rhythm, and scales to provide a well-balanced music education.

Yes, our studio offers year-round instruction to support each student's musical journey. Therefore, our regular class schedule continues throughout the summer with flexible options for both tuition and attendance. Families are cautioned against "taking a break" during the summer months to avoid losing precious practice habits and coming back with dulled skills later in the year. Families are expected to sustain enrollment throughout the year. Those that choose to leave for June and July will be moved back to the waiting list and may be invited to rejoin the studio if there is space available.

General music classes are a great way to prepare students for formal piano study. Music Together and similar programs will expose students to many styles of music and build their musical vocabulary. It’s also helpful to play music for students at home. Encourage them to listen to many different styles, describe what they hear, sing, dance, or even just tap with the beat.

We are working to add a program for ages 0-4 by Fall 2024! Check back in August for more information.

Absolutely! Student success hinges on the ability to practice between lessons. Your home instrument is an incredibly important part of your student's musical journey, and having a quality instrument to practice on will greatly enhance their multi-sensory experience and skill.

We generally recommend a high-quality digital piano over an acoustic, mostly for practical reasons. Digital instruments are usually less expensive, do not require tuning, and are easier to move around. That said, a well-maintained acoustic piano is one of the most inspiring home instruments you can have.

Your instrument must have:

-88 weighted keys

-At least 1 pedal

-A music stand

-A bench to promote proper posture

Please invest in the best instrument you can afford, or plan to upgrade within a year of beginning instruction. When shopping for digital pianos, you should expect to spend anywhere from $900-$2000 for a high-quality instrument. Most models in this price range will come with the basic features above, but the price will be higher for models that have more voices and/or better speakers. While having more voices is a personal choice, it’s very worthwhile to have the highest quality speakers. The Yamaha Clavinova series is excellent. Roland and Casio also make fabulous digital instruments. We recommend any of these brands.

You may find good deals around the holidays! Used digital pianos can also be a good way to start, so check NextDoor, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

There are several performance opportunities during the year. Christmas Coffeehouse is very casual and offers the chance to perform solo in a holiday party atmosphere. Mix & Merge is our spring concert that features ensemble performances. While more structured, this event is also rather relaxed and meant to celebrate studio community and collaboration.

Group piano classes also offer weekly opportunities for students to perform in front of others. This regular exposure gives students the confidence to participate in organized events, though participation is always optional.

This depends on countless factors, but the short answer is that you can spend your whole life learning the piano. Accomplishment is a matter of perspective, so it’s important to consider what your goals are for your student.

Student progress is mainly based on how much they practice, but parent support, teaching approach, age/maturity, and home instrument quality all factor into a student’s accomplishments.

In terms of our core curriculum, Piano Safari, each level takes 1-2 years to complete, and there are 3 levels in the series. Completing Piano Safari Level 3 equates to a late-intermediate level, and students are ready to advance into higher repertoire. Our studio supports students of all levels, beginner to advanced.

As you embark upon your musical journey, remember that progress is not a straight line. Every student will experience periods of accelerated growth or progress plateaus. Persistence is what really counts if your goal is to become a lifelong musician.

We welcome beginners ages 4 to adult - it’s always a good time to start your musical journey!

Our classes start as young as 4, but some students may not be ready until they are 6 or 7. It helps if students already know their alphabet, numbers 1-10, and their right/left hands.

Please note, children will need parental support during home practice until they are at least 10. To get the most out of lessons, parents should also consider whether they are available to help their student with regular practice.

Parent-teacher communication is encouraged and fostered from the beginning. Even non-musical parents can provide crucial support for their student at home.

Yes. We all know how crucial it is that students continue to read through the summer. We wouldn't even think of letting a student go 3 months without reading because we wouldn't want them to lose those skills. Piano is the same way. Without regular exposure, coordination weakens, concepts are forgotten, and momentum is lost.

The studio’s weekly schedule will continue throughout the summer, but the group class format will be geared toward multi-level activities, rather than same-level. Practice is still encouraged, though most activities will not require any follow-up from week to week. As a result, the policy for missed classes will be more flexible during May, June, and July, allowing students to attend an age-appropriate alternative class within the same Monday-Friday teaching week.

Families are expected to remain continuously enrolled throughout the year, including the summer. Those that choose to disenroll will be moved back to the waiting list. These families give up their opportunity for priority scheduling and may only rejoin the studio if there is space available.

Almost every activity has an array of options to help every student participate successfully and grow at their own pace. Students choose to modify the activity to fit their skill and ambition, whether they feel ready to challenge themselves or if they need more time before taking the next step. This approach provides an inclusive classroom environment where we embrace the diversity of our students.

Each lesson plan is carefully crafted to challenge the most hard-working students. Due to the positive peer pressure in a group setting, most students are inspired to keep up with their classmates and explore beyond their comfort zone.

In order to address each student’s learning preferences, the teacher must offer plenty of ways to experience new material. The whole group benefits from this thorough instruction, and all students gain a deeper understanding of each activity before being asked to perform.

The group dynamic also diffuses the spotlight to allow more cautious students the space to observe and work through challenges until they’re ready to participate.

Your student's progress is continually monitored. If the teacher feels like your student could handle a more challenging class, you will be contacted and arrangements made to switch classes. Please feel free to contact the teacher if you feel your student needs to be moved. Private lessons can also be added to help move your student up to a more advanced class.

In these circumstances, the student may also benefit from an occasional private lesson to pursue a personal project in addition to their group work.

Student progress is continually monitored. If your student is falling behind, it’s almost always a practicing issue. The teacher will contact the parent and review ideas to increase the quality of piano practice at home. If practice goals are being met and the student is still frustrated, arrangements can be made for the student to try another class that will better support their learning pace.

Supplemental private lessons are also available to support students in these circumstances.

Student progress is a result of how much they practice and how well they are supported at home. Practice is directly related to progress and student mindset.

When students don’t practice, they don’t progress as quickly, which leads to negative feelings toward piano in general. When students are feeling negatively about piano, they don’t want to practice, which causes a negativity loop.

When students practice, they progress much more quickly, which leads to positive feelings about piano and themselves. When students feel positively about piano, they practice more! Nurturing this positivity loop should be the goal of all piano families and their students.

Building and maintaining good practice habits will fundamentally affect your student’s musical journey. In the beginning, frequency is more important than duration. Even 5 minutes a day will establish a strong musical habit so that when assignments become more demanding, students can easily adapt and achieve.

The best way to start each practice session is by reviewing the recent Lesson Notes. These are emailed after each class and they are archived in the MMS Student Portal. Parents should help their children access these assignments and maintain a practice routine.

Assignments are diverse and can include listening or video activities in addition to repertoire. Theory worksheets and games are also provided to help students hone important concepts.

Practice challenges and events are also offered to help motivate students.