My teaching style and method when working with kids.

Teaching children how to play the piano is such a joy and I'm lucky to have so many great kids I teach every week. It's common that I'll teach a student from kindergarten all the way through high school. I attribute their longevity to the fact that, above all else, I teach them with KINDNESS, PATIENCE, ENCOURAGEMENT and I LISTEN to what they have to say.

Building a rapport with my students builds mutual trust that leads to better learning.

​I genuinely take the time to get to know each of my students. Building a rapport allows me to understand them. The more I understand a child the better I can teach them in a way that is more meaningful to them.

​You might hear me engage in conversation. This is not idle chit chat but an integral part of how I can be the best teacher possible for them.
  • "How was your day at school?"
  • "Did anything interesting or different happen since I last saw you?"
  • "Did you win your game on Saturday?"
Encouraging open communication allows my students to be active participants in their learning and generates self confidence and autonomy as they develop.

Essential skills are...well... essential!

While my teaching approach is all about flexibility and adaptability, there are essential concepts that a student must learn in order to play the piano in a musical way.
  • TECHNIQUE (this allows students to play with artistry and with each as their music becomes advanced)
  • READING (students must be able to read music to be a well-round musician and in order to communicate with other musicians.)
  • MUSICALITY (in practical terms this is playing with expression including loudly, softly, with articulation. This concept becomes more sophisticated as the student progresses in their learning)
  • ARTISTRY (a concept that is difficult to articulate. Essentially, it's the musician's ability to perform a piece in a way that transforms it from music into an emotional experience for an audience.) Student Recitals

My promise to students:
I will be kind.
I will be patient.
I will be encouraging.
I will listen. 
I will be clear about expectations.
I will provide excellent instruction.​

Students who learn many styles of music connect with music more deeply.

Although I teach in the "classical" method, I do not limit my students to playing only classical music (Bach, Beethoven, etc.).
I believe doing so does a disservice to my students. I introduce many styles of music to my students including folk, jazz, popular, as well as classical. Playing many styles of music allows a child to become a well-rounded musician who has a greater connection and appreciation of the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF MUSIC.

What is Music Theory and why is it important?

Ask 10 piano teachers this question and you might get 10 different answers.

Here's my answer. Music theory is learning the structure and science behind the music we love to play and to listen to. It allows us, as musicians, to learn a piece of music more easily and to perform it more successfully because we understand it more deeply.
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Private Lessons with Melissa
  • I offer 45- or 60- minute, weekly lessons.
  • ​30-minute lessons are available to students under 8 years old or multi-student households
  • In-home or online lessons
  • I teach children as young as 4 years old (requires pre-assessment visit)
  • Experienced in teaching all levels — beginner, intermediate, advanced, college
  • ​I will personally teach your child. I do not "hand off" students to other teachers who may work for me.

Playing the piano benefits a child in profound ways...
Copyright 2024 Melissa McVaugh