Piano Lessons

Piano lessons offer our families the highest level of music education available with your and/or your child’s best interest at heart.

In addition to teaching music to children, we also instruct adults and seniors. Features of our program include:

• One or more 30, 45, or 60 minute music lesson each week;

• At least two recitals per year;

• Advanced training for the serious student;

• A wide network of experienced instructors which enables us to skillfully match your family with a music teacher of your preference;

• An extensive library comprised of classical, seasonal, popular, and gospel and other music;

• Ear training;

• Theory instruction;

• Private adult instruction
   

In addition, for the more serious student, some of our teachers offer advanced courses with their own curriculum, guided instruction and level exams adjudicated by judges from outside Sarasota. Please inquire about these special programs such as the Royal Conservatory and the Piano Guild.

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The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world. Operating for over 130 years, The Royal Conservatory continues to translate the latest thinking about creativity into inspiring programs, benefiting millions of individuals around the world. Their mission – to develop human potential – is based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and social cohesion. This Program is a comprehensive and effectively sequenced program of music study and assessment, beginning with the Preparatory level(s), followed by levels 1 to 10, and concluding with the Associate Diploma of The Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT). At each level, students receive a Certificate of Achievement upon successfully completing a Royal Conservatory examination.  A Licentiate Diploma of The Royal Conservatory of Music (LRCM) is available for piano.

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The National Guild of Piano Teachers (Piano Guild) similarly uses a system of levels to assess and recognize students' progress in piano playing. These levels, ranging from Elementary A through F, then Intermediate A through F, and Preparatory A through D, ultimately lead to a High School Diploma, and advanced levels for Collegiate and beyond. The levels are not strictly tied to grade levels in school, but rather reflect the student's musical development and the difficulty of the repertoire they are playing.

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Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Intermediate Levels:

  Students at this stage are typically playing pieces like Bach minuets, simple sonatinas, and early Romantic pieces. 

• Preparatory Levels:

  These are considered advanced levels within the Piano Guild. 

• High School Diploma:

  Students can work towards earning a High School Diploma in music through the Piano Guild. 

• Collegiate Levels:

  There are also diplomas for collegiate levels and beyond, including a Young Artist Diploma. 

• Elementary Levels:

  These levels (A through F) generally correspond to students working through method books like Alfred or Faber Primer books, progressing from Pre-reader books to Level 5.
   

Within each level, the Piano Guild also has categories for different styles of music, such as Classics (including Baroque), Sonatina, Romantic, and Modern. Students can also participate in various types of programs, including memorized programs, unmemorized programs, jazz programs, duet/duo programs, and ensemble programs. 

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The Piano Guild Auditions serve as an annual "check-up" where students perform for an outside adjudicator, receiving a certificate, report card, and membership pin. The focus is on individual merit and progress, with students playing against a standard of excellence rather than competing against each other.