PIANO

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 

A Steinway Teacher and Educational Partner:  

Elite Piano Pedagogy for Emerging Artists, 

From Curious Hands to Confident Performers. 

 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.

Elevating Excellence through the Steinway Experience

We believe that a student's musical journey is profoundly shaped by the instrument they play. As a proud Steinway & Sons Educational Partner, we are committed to the highest standards of piano instruction, providing our students with exclusive access to world-class professional instruments, including Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos—the Steinway-designed line known for its superior tone and touch. This prestigious affiliation offers our students unparalleled opportunities, from performing in Masterclasses with renowned Steinway Artists to participating in Steinway SpirioCast events that connect our studio to global concert halls. Through our partnership, selected students are also invited to perform in exclusive Rising Star Concerts and regional showroom recitals, ensuring they have every resource needed to reach their full artistic potential on the world’s finest pianos.