Marin Piano Studio

FAQs

The Top 5 FAQs about lessons at Marin Piano Studio

When are lessons taught?    

Marin Piano Studio students and their parents enjoy a great, convenient schedule.  Lessons for school-aged are taught after school on Tues/Wed/Thurs until 6 pm.  I know families want to get home to have dinner together, do homework and get to bed on time! Morning and early afternoon lessons are available for preschoolers, homeschoolers and adults.

Do we need a piano at home? 

Yes, while pieces will be learned during the lesson, a piano at home is needed to “rehearse” and make the song as beautiful as possible.   And, while many piano teachers in Marin demand families purchase an acoustic piano right away,  I am happy if my student families want to start out on a digital piano to see if piano is a long-term passion.  After a year, if your child still shows interest, then you will want to purchase an acoustic piano  to reap the benefit that an acoustic piano has to offer - true playing satisfaction and motivation.

What kind of performance opportunities do you offer?  

Students at MPS enjoy a wide variety of performing opportunities!  For younger students, we have a costumed Halloween Concert at a nursing facility.  Next, there’s a cozy Holiday Concert at the studio where students get to invite a friend and all children get to decorate gingerbread houses.  In the Spring, students perform at our Formal Spring Recital, where they get to dress up in their fanciest clothes and perform for all the other students and their families.  This is in addition to performing for each other at 3 piano parties during the year.

Adult students may elect to take part in our Sip and Share Events where we enjoy wine and the sharing of our music, together.

Do you offer any extra help outside of lessons?  

Students at MPS always make forward progress with the benefit of amazing support outside of lesson times.  The biggest support opportunity is that students who find they are unsure of how to play a piece at home during the week may request a Free FaceTime lesson, which are offered on Monday and Thursday evenings.  Additionally, for beginners, videos are available to view of the songs they are learning.  And, of course, I am always available by email or text so that my students can get extra help!

What is a lesson like and how much do they cost?  

Students arrive at their lesson 5 minutes before the start time, to enjoy the snack and refreshments that are provided free of charge.  When it’s time for the lesson to begin, the instructor greets the student and the lesson will begin by the student warming up and getting ready to pass the pieces that were practiced at home that week.  The instructor checks in when the student is ready and listens, guides, applauds, and helps the student make their piece sound the best it can.  New techniques and skills are introduced along with fun, accessible pieces that are perfectly appropriate for their level.  Positive support and encouragement are the hallmark of lessons, here.  Along the way, students learn proper technique, how to read music, and how to produce the most emotive music from your instrument.  My students find learning to play the piano to be very fun and rewarding!

Students may take private or group lessons.  Private lessons for beginning students are usually 30 minutes in duration and the small group Accelerated program lasts one hour, with an additional 25 minute music lab before or after the accelerated lesson for students aged 7 and older. 

Accelerated Program costs $269 per month for a weekly lesson, and include complimentary FaceTime lessons, recitals and piano parties.  A yearly non-refundable registration fee of $200 covers the costs of all books and materials that the student will use and enjoy.  

Private Lessons for Adults cost $240 per month for a weekly lesson, and include complimentary FaceTime lessons,

Homeschool and Preschool classes vary in duration and cost.  Please ask the instructor about current openings and costs.

What if we have to miss a lesson? 

No problem!  Students in the After School Accelerated Program at MPS enjoy an unlimited, no questions asked makeup policy.  Just reschedule your lesson by 9am the day of your lesson using our super-easy online scheduler.


If you're ready to get started or having any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 415-272-5318!  I look forward to hearing from you!

Marin Piano Studio               Corte Madera, CA                     415-272-5318