Our philosophy
No two students arrive the same way, so no two students should be taught the same way.
The studio draws on several established traditions of piano pedagogy — American, European and Yamaha methods among them. Teaching across that range means a student is matched to the approach that suits how they actually learn, rather than being fitted to a single curriculum.
Three traditions
Where the methods come from
These approaches are not rivals, and a student rarely sits wholly inside one of them. Knowing all three means the lesson can borrow whichever serves the student in front of me.
- The American approach
- Student-centered and quick to reward. Reading, rhythm and improvisation are built up together from the first lessons, and the repertoire mixes contemporary and popular pieces in with the classics, so a beginner is playing music they recognize early. It suits younger children, adult beginners, and anyone whose confidence matters more than speed.
- The European approach
- The conservatory tradition, and the more demanding of the three. Technique comes first and is built deliberately: hand position, finger independence, scales and arpeggios, and études such as Burgmüller’s. Attention goes to tone and to what the composer actually asked for, with the classical canon at the centre. It suits students working towards examinations, competition pieces or advanced repertoire, and anyone who wants their playing to hold up under scrutiny.
- The Yamaha approach
- Ear before eye. Children listen, sing and play a phrase before they ever read it, with solfège, keyboard harmony and simple composition treated as part of learning the instrument rather than extras. The emphasis on aural training and ensemble playing is the reason duets feature so heavily in this studio. It suits young children especially, and any student who plays accurately but without much musical instinct.
In the lessons
What we work on
- Beginners
- Faber, Bober and Gillock methods, which build reading and technique alongside pieces a new student actually wants to play.
- Intermediate and advanced
- Beethoven, Burgmüller and the standard classical repertoire, worked towards performance standard.
- Duets
- Paired playing, which teaches listening and timing in a way solo practice cannot. Duet pairings feature in the annual recital.
- Persian and popular repertoire
- Taught alongside the classical canon, not instead of it.
- Examination preparation
- Students who want a formal benchmark are prepared for American Guild of Music examinations.
- The annual recital
- Every student performs. It is the deadline that turns practice into playing.
Practicalities
How lessons run
Lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes. They can take place at my home or at yours, and online lessons are available whenever travel, illness or a clash makes an in-person lesson difficult.
Students range from age five to adult, and beginners are welcome at any age.