From Beginners to College-level preparation.
Our teaching method is a combination of the leading musical pedagogy programs which includes a broad repertoire, sight-reading, ear-training, theory, artistry, composition, history, and solfeggio. We believe in exploring different styles of music. We incorporate the jazz studies, Improvisation and Composition into our lesson plans.
Our recitals themes are supporting this curriculum.
Our Summer recital is filled with pop and show tunes, movie and video games themes, musicals and Broadway hits, jazz and rock songs as well as featuring composition work of our students.
Holiday recital is all about Holiday music from all music genres and styles.
Spring recital often has a theme and the performance of some program music (examples would be “Peter and the Wolf” by S. Prokofiev, "Magic Flute" by W. A. Mozart, or “Carnival of the Animals” by C. Saint-Seans).
Some young pianists are playing in the ensemble with other instruments , accompanying vocalist, or playing two piano pieces.
Spring recital is also featuring students who participated in the Rising Stars festivals and other Piano Competitions.
Recitals provide an opportunity to feel successful. Performing gives your child the recognition they deserve for their hard work during piano lessons.
We offer Elite Piano Pedagogy for Emerging Artists. Please visit https://elenakeil.com/
Learn more about more opportunities at https://elenakeil.com/competitions
Core Components of a Beginner Curriculum:
- Physical & Posture Basics: Correct seating, hand shape (natural curve), relaxed posture, finger numbers, and basic relaxation techniques.
- Keyboard Geography: Understanding black key groups (2s & 3s), identifying white key names (musical alphabet), and locating notes.
- Music Reading Fundamentals: Learning notes on the staff, simple rhythms (quarter, half notes), and basic time signatures.
- Finger Exercise: Five-finger patterns (C-G), developing finger independence, and simple coordination between hands (parallel motion).
- Early Repertoire: Simple songs using learned notes, focusing on enjoyment and applying new skills, often with rhythmic patterns.
- Music Theory Concepts: Introducing intervals, basic chords (triads), and musical terms (dynamics, tempo).
- Practice Skills: Using repetition effectively, developing listening skills, and incorporating metronome use.
What to Expect in Lessons/Courses:
- Structured Progression: Lessons build on each other, introducing one or two new concepts at a time.
- Fun & Engagement: Using songs, games, and varied media to keep learning enjoyable.
- Creative Opportunities: Encouraging improvisation, simple harmonization, and "fills".
- Measurable Progress: Tracking achievements through portfolios or assessments, building confidence for future learning
The core of our music curriculum is Piano Adventures® from Faber and Faber which set a new standard for quality educational publications. This innovative and exciting method series continues to enjoy an unprecedented response from teachers and students around the world. In addition, we use “A Dozen a Day “ for the beginner level and several opuses of C.Czerny’s work on different levels for technique. We introduce students from the primer level to the concept of Circle of 5th and learning scales and arpeggios.
Core Intermediate Curriculum Components
- Technique & Dexterity: Students move beyond five-finger patterns to full octave scales (hands together) and arpeggios in various inversions. Curricula focus on speed, precision, and proper body mechanics to handle octave reaches and constant hand-position shifts.
- Applied Music Theory: The curriculum covers complex concepts like the Circle of Fifths, relative major/minor keys, and varied chord structures (diminished, augmented, and seventh chords). Students learn to recognize and perform popular chord progressions, such as the 1-5-6-4 progression.
- Repertoire Expansion: Students explore original classical works (unsimplified) from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods.
- Functional Skills: Emphasis shifts toward independent musicianship, including sight-reading easier level pieces, improvisation (often in blues or jazz styles), and harmonizing melodies by ear.
- Musical Interpretation: The curriculum formalizes the study of dynamics (forte, piano, crescendos), articulation (staccato, legato, tenuto), and sophisticated use of pedals.
A college preparatory (pre-college) piano curriculum is an intensive program designed to prepare high school students for university-level music major auditions. It shifts focus from general learning to advanced artistry, technical mastery, and rigorous music theory.
Core Curricular Components
- Audition Repertoire: Students must prepare a balanced "recital" of 3–5 pieces from contrasting eras. Typical requirements include:
- Baroque: A complete work by Bach (e.g., Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier).
- Classical: A complete multi-movement sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (excluding simplified student sonatinas).
- Romantic: A substantial work by Chopin (e.g., Ballades or Scherzi), Liszt, or Brahms.
- 20th/21st Century: A modern or contemporary work, often highlighting underrepresented composers.
- Advanced Technique:Requirements often mirror collegiate entrance exams:
- Scales & Arpeggios: All major and minor keys (harmonic and melodic) performed in four octaves, hands together, in 16th notes (minimum tempo 100 bpm).
- Technical Studies: Focused work on advanced etudes, such as those by Chopin, Liszt, or Rachmaninoff.
- Musicianship & Theory:
- Sight-Reading: Daily practice of unfamiliar scores at a level 2–3 grades below current repertoire.
- Harmonization & Ear Training: Proficiency in harmonizing melodies, identifying intervals and chords by ear, and playing complex chord progressions (e.g., I–VI–IV–V8-7–I).
- Formal Theory: Preparation for college placement exams in harmony, counterpoint, and music history.