Traditional Private Lessons
Traditional one-on-one piano lessons are available for students beginning in 1st grade and extending through high school and into adulthood. Traditional lessons are taught with the following goals: development of a healthy and functional technique, a solid understanding of theory and reading music, the ability to perform for others, and lifetime enjoyment of the instrument.
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Traditional piano students study a variety of repertoire - popular, folk, jazz, blues, rags, rock, and world music - to support the study of Western classical piano repertoire and technique, which is given primacy of place in our studio. Scroll down to read more about my teaching philosophy or click the buttons below to get started!
Why Should I Choose
Stackhouse Piano Studio?
My students LOVE their lessons, and here's why you will too!
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World-Class Instruction
All traditional private lessons are taught by Nicole Stackhouse, a State & Nationally Certified Teacher with over 17 years teaching experience and a Master's in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the top program in the nation. I don't hire student teachers, because I believe that students should have access to professional education from the start. Click here to learn why.
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Performance Opportunities
What sets private lessons apart from group classes is the sheer number of opportunities that students have to perform! Students are not ever required to perform, but I offer a number of opportunities each year ranging from low-pressure informal performances in my home, all the way to national and international competitions.
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Structured Learning
All private students follow a individualized, structured curriculum designed to build a strong foundation of functional keyboard skills and technique. Upon this foundation, students build artistry and performance skills which develop quickly by following my unique approach to teaching musical interpretation. Learn more about my teaching philosophy.
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Welcoming & FUN!
While the Stackhouse Piano Studio offers a professional approach to classical piano lessons, lessons are never boring or stuffy! I love to laugh and have fun during lessons. I firmly believe that piano lessons should be fun! Our studio has a collection of over 150 music theory games, a lending library full of fun and interesting music, and a number of online resources.
What will my child learn in piano lessons?
Technique
Like any skill-based activity, developing healthy, functional technique is essential to long-term success at the instrument. Proper technique is taught from the very first lesson and is reinforced in a spiral curricular plan throughout a student's lessons, with the goal of building functional skills and fluency at the piano.
Reading Music
Learning to read music well is an essential skill in traditional piano study, because students who can read music well are able to learn more effectively on their own and enjoy music for a lifetime. Students are taught to read music through an intervallic approach, augmented with multi-key experiences to create students that are confident reading and playing in any key.
Performance
Traditional lessons are taught with the goal of being able to perform, at some level, in front of audience. While students are not required to participate in studio performances, they are expected to perform at least twice per year at the winter and spring studio recitals. Interested students also have opportunities to perform in competitions, adjudicated contests, studio classes, and outreach.
Artistry
Artistry is the end goal of a well-refined technique. Students will learn to develop artistry through listening exercises, observation, thorough understanding of technical skills, and technical fluency at the keyboard. Artistry is taught systematically and uniformly so students know how to apply the concepts to new pieces.
Music Theory
Music theory is taught in creative ways throughout the student's lessons, using games, online activities, flash cards, composition activities, improvisation, ear training, worksheets, and examinations (if desired). These formats are used throughout a student's learning plan to introduce and reinforce important theoretical concepts.
Classical Music
The ultimate goal of traditional private lessons is to eventually move the student out of method books and into the study of western classical piano repertoire. Once that transition takes place, students will still have unlimited access to learning other styles of music as these are vital avenues to learning concepts also found in classical literature - but primacy of place is given to the study of classical music.
Transform your Child's Playing with Expert Instruction
Watch the videos below to see how just one year with an expert instructor completely transformed these students' playing!
These students all take private lessons in a variety of modes - fully online, hybrid, and in-person - and they have all achieved amazing results!
Free Skill Assessment
Fill out our enrollment form to start the process.
As part of your audition to join the studio, you will receive free professional skill assessment. For new beginners, I assess readiness for private lessons. That information will guide our discussion of how an individualized curriculum plan can help you reach your potential. Schedule your audition by filling out the enrollment form.
Have more questions about private piano lessons?
Check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
Still need help?
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and I'll be happy to assist you!