Our Approach to Piano Lessons
We recognize each aspiring pianist as a unique individual. That’s why our piano instructors foster creative expression in their students, encouraging them to pursue their musical goals. Our approach is flexible, fostering musical creativity while simultaneously supporting proper keyboard technique. We strive to ensure that our piano students acquire the fundamentals necessary to become literate musicians, so music reading/writing skills and relevant music theory are always incorporated. Below is a basic outline of our approach.
We Make Piano Instruction Fun
We know that an interest in piano may be what first brings you into our school – but having fun is what keeps you coming back! Here at Schaumburg Music Academy, our goal is for every student to LOVE their music lessons as they embark on a rewarding journey of progress and discovery. We put the “fun” in fundamentals!
Our knowledgeable staff blends a high standard of music education with a creative, student-focused approach that gives students space to discover and nurture their passion for music and the piano. Whether it’s your first time at the keys or you’re a seasoned pianist, our teachers are ready to help you progress quickly toward your goals – while having fun along the way.
We Emphasize Healthy Technique
Healthy technique is critical to lifelong enjoyment of the piano. Our first priority is teaching strong fundamentals, including hand, wrist and arm technique, bench position, and pedaling. We believe that full-body instruction is essential to musicianship and safeguards students from injury.
Once the fundamentals are in place, you and your teacher can craft the story you want your music to tell. Our qualified teachers will assist you in developing musicianship and exploring nuance through dynamics, pausing, phrasing, and varying tempos. Learn with us as we infuse elements of music theory and music history into our well-rounded approach to fostering musical excellence.
We Tailor Instruction to Your Goals
There is no one-size-fits-all method of piano instruction. Regardless of ability or prior experience, our teachers take an individualized approach to each of our students – underpinned by detailed individual assessments, a personalized learning plan, and one-on-one guidance throughout your musical journey.
While fundamentals and technique are essential, our ultimate goal is to equip students to begin exploring their own personal musical style and interests. Your teacher will work with you to understand where you want to go, and craft a unique plan to get you there. Whether your style is classical or pop (or anything in between), Schaumburg Music Academy helps students excel in their craft while encouraging the occasional step outside the comfort zone to try something new.
Ages 4 and up
Learn to play piano from talented, experienced teachers. We have many piano teachers ready to work with you to enrich your talents.
Schaumburg Music Academy is proud to offer piano lessons to students of all ages and skill levels in the Schaumburg area. Our piano instructors pride themselves on customizing piano lessons to each student, providing well-rounded instruction for students of any age and skill level.
At Schaumburg Music Academy, we are passionate about creating a fun and engaging experience for each student, while providing them with a firm foundation to move forward. Our instructors are fantastic people and great musicians, and many of them perform professionally in addition to teaching. Their top-notch credentials and experience allow our teachers to customize lessons for each student, covering areas including technique, fundamentals and expression.
Our Piano Teachers
Our piano teachers hold credentials from illustrious universities, and they perform regularly with various nationwide and community groups outside of the private piano studio. This wide range of experience allows them to pass on a more well-rounded musical perspective to their students.
Andrea Figueroa
Voice & Piano
Andrea Figueroa is a recent graduate from Elmhurst College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Conducting focus, along with a Vocal Performance Certificate. In her 5 years at
Carter Schultz
Guitar/Bass/Piano/Mandolin/Banjo
Carter Schultz is a multi-instrumentalist and song-writer of 17 years. He has been teaching guitar, drums, piano and bass in the Schaumburg area since 2010 and has an Associate’s degree in Fine
David Shore
Piano/Guitar/Bass/Upright Bass/Ukulele
David’s students enjoy learning and feeling like musicians while still getting the academic benefits that learning music provides. He includes many songs and pieces that his students are familiar with while making
Jennifer Thompson
Voice & Piano
Jennifer Thompson is an accomplished vocalist who has performed many times in the Chicago area. She sang Elgar’s Sea Pictures for the Friends of the Windows concert series at St. James Chapel.
Jim Meyer
Piano
Jim has been playing piano for over 20 years and teaching piano for 4 with a certification in piano pedagogy. He graduated last May from Elmhurst College with top honors, majoring in
Jose Guadalupe Flores
Voice/Piano/Woodwind
– Enjoy private music lessons tailored to your skill and level from a passionate and enthusiastic educator. Jose Guadalupe has over 5 years of international, private, and group teaching experience. Jose is
Lenka Nedvedova
Piano
Lenka Nedvedova received her Master of Arts Degree in Music and English Literature from the Masaryk University of Brno in the Czech Republic in 1999. She was also a member of the
Nadiya Mandziy
Piano
Nadiya has been a piano and music theory teacher for over 30 years. She is an honors graduate from Ternopil Music College and went on to get her Master’s degree from Kyiv
JT Butcher
Brass, Piano, Percussion
Hello everyone! My name is JT Butcher and I am a sophomore at Elgin Community College studying music education. I went to Dundee Crown high school and graduated in 2019. I plan
Many of our piano instructors love working with beginners, whether those beginners are children or adults. Others focus more on developing the skills unique to intermediate or advanced students. Once we learn more about your musical experience and goals, we can match you with a teacher who will be a great fit for you. Our piano department is equipped to serve students with collegiate and professional ambitions, and we invite you to see our review page for a selection of Schaumburg Music Academy success stories. Many of our teachers have memberships and openings for a variety of performance and competitive opportunities, but these are always optional. We are equally delighted to work with students of any age or ability who want to enrich their lives through music.
We offer piano lessons for all levels of experience, whether you’re a beginner or intermediate player. If you’re a beginner you will be taught music theory and eventually you’ll be able to sight read! Our instructors are more than capable of teaching classical, jazz, contemporary, and even rock music. It’s all up to you!
New to Piano Lessons? Here’s What to Expect
At Schaumburg Music Academy, we welcome all music learners, from absolute beginners to advanced students preparing for university or conservatory study. We understand that for those who are new to music lessons or piano lessons, getting started can seem a little daunting. Here’s what to expect if you’re new to piano lessons.
What Books Will I Need?
There are several great piano curricula used for beginners today, and our teachers use a variety of these at Schaumburg Music Academy. In or before a student’s first lesson, the teacher will provide a list of piano books to purchase.
What Should I Consider When Selecting an Instrument?
For many beginning students, the first and biggest obstacle is finding an instrument. It’s impossible to progress very far without consistent practice, and consistent practice requires consistent access to a piano or digital keyboard.
Deciding between an acoustic piano and a digital keyboard is a complex decision, and the right choice for your family depends on your living situation, your goals, and even your aesthetic preferences.
Your piano instructor will work with you in determining what’s best for starting out. You can get recommendations on what to get and where to buy it at your first lesson.
What is the Best Age to Start Piano Lessons?
We typically work with piano students aged 4-Adult. We invite you to contact us to learn more about our piano program and to help you find a good match for yourself or your child among our wonderful piano faculty. If you are unsure whether your child is ready for private lessons, give us a call to discuss your particular situation. We would be delighted to help you find a good fit!
While we generally don’t start piano students before age 4, that doesn’t mean that every 4-year-old who shows interest in piano is ready to start taking piano lessons. To know if your child is ready, take a look at your child’s development. To be ready for piano lessons, your child should be on par with peers in physical strength and dexterity. Similarly, as reading music is a big part of learning piano, your child should be at or above the kindergarten level when it comes to reading, phonics, pattern recognition and related skills.
It’s OK if your child is too short to reach the pedals. Beginning level instruction doesn’t require the use of them.
Lastly, your child needs an adequate attention span and ability to stay focused for 20 or 30 minutes at a time.
What Sets Schaumburg Music Academy Apart?
We know that there are multiple avenues you could take when it comes to choosing a music instructor. So, why should Schaumburg Music Academy be your top choice?
First, our staff of music instructors are the most qualified, most experienced, and most passionate. We have multiple piano instructors on staff, and we are confident we can find a teacher that will suit your specific personality and needs.
Second, our atmosphere of musical freedom is unmatched. Each staff member is interested in your personal growth as a performer. Our goal is that your experience at Schaumburg Music Academy will enable you to engage in the musical world with confidence and creativity no matter where your journey takes you.
Ready to Start Piano Lessons in Schaumburg, Illinois?
Are you ready to start piano lessons for you or a family member in the Schaumburg area?
Come learn from one of our experienced teachers and get meaningful piano instruction that’s tailored to your specific needs and goals. Contact Schaumburg Music Academy today to set up your first lesson!