My piano studio in Northeast Portland, Oregon is accepting new students by interview only. To read Keys to a Successful Interview Lesson, please click here. To schedule an interview, contact me via email andrew.a.dantonio@gmail.com or call 541-499-2232.
Approximately half of my students are school-aged, and the other half are adults. My students love music and are excited to learn new things, and they play piano at a broad range of levels from beginner to pre-professional.
Beginners and Intermediate Students
Lessons are individually designed according to each student's needs, abilities, and goals. Beginning students benefit from an age-appropriate, pedagogically-sound method book. Method books move progressively and provide a structured approach to learning the fundamentals of music and piano. Once the student has a basic handle on reading music and piano fundamentals, we transition into repertoire. Repertoire consists of bigger pieces that the student works on for longer periods of time. Repertoire is chosen according to the student's personal goals and interests, with consideration of their strength and weakness. I supplement repertoire with technical exercises and applied theory.
Once students begin repertoire, they participate in the OMTA syllabus program. As they advance, they are also invited to participate in festivals and other events. My school-age students perform in two in-person piano recitals each year, and we have periodic virtual group classes.
Adults
Piano lessons are not just for kids! Often adults pursue piano lessons and with great success. There is a common myth that only the young are able to learn music, but many adults begin to learn the piano in their 20s, 30s, even all the way to their 80s. In general, adults tend to be more successful than children at the beginning stages of learning, as their hand muscles and intellect are more fully developed. However, adults tend to not be as patient with themselves during the foundational period of piano study. If you allow yourself the time necessary to develop a new skill, much is possible!
There are several adults students in my studio at all levels, and in addition to regular lessons, we have a monthly group class where we get to know each other and share the music we have been working on. Whether you are interested in learning music for the first time or if you want to rekindle a past love for the piano, piano lessons might be the best avenue.
Advanced Students
My advanced students focus primarily on classical repertoire. Lessons focus on musicianship and technique, taught through large scale projects. These projects are designed according to the student's personal goals. Examples include:
Recitals
Group classes and performance
Competitions & Festivals
Auditions
My advanced students have been accepted into college music departments as majors and minors.
Special Education
As a former special education teacher, my studio has always been open to students with special needs. My particular background includes working with students with autism, developmental delays, physical & emotional disorders, ADHD, and dyslexia. During the interview, we determine if piano lessons are appropriate for the student and then collaboratively design accommodations to help the student succeed. (Students looking to use music/piano primarily as a means of therapy should look into music therapy rather than piano lessons.)
Remote and Virtual Lessons
When possible, in-person lessons are always preferred, as they allow for more nuanced instruction, particularly for rhythm, technique, and pedal study. However, students participate in remote lessons on a case-by-case basis. The most common reasons for remote lessons are illness, travel, a student moving out of state, or group classes. I am not accepting new students who need exclusively remote lessons.