Big Kids Piano
Ages 5 – 12
Our Big Kids Piano programs incorporate more advanced music learning opportunities without sacrificing any fun.
Contact Julia to learn more!
Pre-Piano Lessons
Ages 5 - 7 (25 minutes)
Includes piano exploration using a fun, colorful, and engaging lesson book, First Adventures in Piano. A Parent can observe or listen along from another room.
Instrument needed: a keyboard can be used for the first year, after which an acoustic piano is required.
Commitment: for 1 semester of 14 lessons at $27.00 per week or $378/semester paid in two payments.
Materials needed: Lesson book is $9.95, Writing book is 6.95, and Little Yellow Practice Journal is $4.00. A small S&H fee is added.
Piano Partners Lessons
Ages 6 - 8 (40 minutes)
This fast-paced, multifaceted program is joyful and fun, and the children learn quickly through expert teaching methods and interesting hands-on materials. Partners includes songs that are sung and played on the piano, movement, dances, partner games, listening, proficiency in rhythm language (duple and triple rhythms), solfege (many Major and minor keys), chords (I, IV, V), musical form, part-singing, playing of drums and Orff instruments (metallophone, xylophone, glockenspiel), learning to write music, and ensemble work (playing/singing with others). Parent joins for first 5 and last 5 minutes but can also observe lessons. Home practice 5-10 minutes 3X a week plus daily listening/singing to CD.
The student learns chords and chord progressions in Major and minor keys which is referred to in private lessons in the years to come. Children have a broad understanding of music making and the personal responsibility it takes to be committed.
Instrument needed: a keyboard can be used for the first year, after which an acoustic piano is required.
Commitment: for 2 semesters of 28 lessons at $22.00 per week or $616 per year paid in four quarterly payments.
Materials needed: Packet with book includes games cards, song cards, key cards, and 2 CDs/code. (Roughly $65.00 each semester plus a small S&H fee.)
Piano Lessons
Ages 8 - 12
For those who have completed Piano Partners or for new students. Private piano is a continuation of skills such as posture, hand and arm position, mastering of scales and chord progressions, technical studies, sequential lesson book, specialty books, and duets. Learning how to practice and when to practice is important and something we work at.
Instrument needed: a keyboard can be used for the first year, after which an acoustic piano is required.
Commitment: for 2 semesters of 28 lessons paid four quarterly payments. Increments of 25 minutes ($27 per lesson), 30 minutes ($32 per lesson), 40 minutes ($42 per lesson), 45 minutes ($47 per lesson).
Materials needed: It is normal to have a technique book, sequential lesson book, specialty book, collections, and/or duet books simultaneously. As children move through a book, another level of that book will be acquired. Books range from $7 - $9 each.
Contact Julia for questions & scheduling today!
Location: 598 Sunrise Ave, Harrisonburg, VA.
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and occasionally Monday afternoons, with make-ups often done on Sunday afternoons from 3 - 5 pm.
Lesson Times: from 3:15 to 7 pm, Mon. - Thu.
Costs: Tuition and book/materials supplies.
Julia’s Piano Background
Julia holds an undergraduate degree in Piano/harpsichord/organ performance (DePauw University, Greencastle, IN) and a Master’s degree in organ performance (Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ). She enjoys teaching students and their parents the joy and challenge of playing the piano and singing.
She taught piano over online during the pandemic and was delighted to see piano students continue to grow and progress in their study. Although it was a challenge, all students progressed and grew musically.
Over her career she has served as soloist, accompanist, orchestral member, and teacher in the areas of piano, harpsichord, and organ. She is very interested in piano study and growing strong, disciplined, and creative children who are able to problem solve and make artistic decisions about themselves and their lives.