Not at all! To help you get started, I offer two different keyboard rental options for up to 3 months:

• The Starter Option ($35/month): A serviceable digital keyboard that is perfect for testing the waters.
• The Premium Option ($55/month): A nicer, upgraded digital keyboard for a more realistic playing experience.

Eventually, you will need to transition to a permanent instrument at home—either an acoustic piano or a quality 88-key digital piano. I am happy to help you find the perfect instrument. No matter your budget, I can guide you toward reliable brands and necessary features, and even help you evaluate used options!

Every age is a great age to start, but here is how I approach readiness:

• For Children: By age 6-7, most have the attention span and basic reading/number skills need to begin.
• For Younger Beginners: I teach children as young as 4, provided there is a very strong interest from the child and a commitment to active support from parents.
• For Teens & Adults: You are never too old! Teens and adults bring focus, motivation, and a deep appreciation for music that makes learning incredibly rewarding–they tend to progress very quickly.

Not sure if your child is ready? I offer a free meet-and-greet session to assess readiness, check their interest level, and make sure we are a great fit for each other before you commit!

Absolutely! You are never too old to learn, and I love working with adult students.

In fact, one of my favorite success stories is a gentleman who started lessons with me as a beginner at 79 years old. He loved his lessons, progressed beautifully, and was still studying with me 3 years later when he relocated and I helped him find a new teacher!

Whether you are a complete beginner who has never touched a key, someone looking to keep piano skills sharp in adulthood, or returning to the piano after decades away, you are welcome here. My teaching style for adults is age-appropriate, using sophisticated methods and materials designed specifically for mature learners. We will focus on the music you love,and tailor the pace to your lifestyle and goals.

Yes! Yes, I am an approved vendor with various charter homeschools, allowing families to use their instructional funds for piano lessons. For a current list of charter schools I partner with, please visit my dedicated Homeschool page!

Yes! I offer a free introductory “meet-and-greet” session. This allows us to get to know each other and ensure we are a great fit before you commit to a full schedule.

My private home studio is located in north-central Escondido, California, making it highly convenient for families across North County San Diego. Near the intersection of Ash St. and El Norte Parkway, it’s just minutes from the I-15 and 78 interchange.

I offer weekly lessons in the following lengths:

• 30 minutes – Best for preschool and early elementary students
• 45 minutes – For older or advancing students, especially those working toward formal evaluation programs
• 60 minutes – For advanced students working on large pieces or higher levels in evaluation programs

I highly prefer in-person lessons (or a hybrid approach), as the physical setup and hands-on guidance are crucial for building proper technique. However, I do offer online-only lessons in a few specific situations:

• Teen or Adult Students: Mature learners who already possess the focus and independent practice skills required for remote learning.
• Relocating Students: Elementary-aged students who have already established a strong foundation with me in person, move away, and wish to continue their studies online—provided there is strong parental support at home to help manage the technology and practice.
• Hybrid: Occasional makeup lessons with in-person students, or alternating in-person and online when there is strong home support.

Because I maintain a full teaching schedule, make-up lessons and reschedules cannot be guaranteed. However, I want to ensure every student still gets the value of their lesson!

When my schedule and notice permit, the following options are available:

• Online Lesson: If you have a mild illness, a transportation conflict, or are traveling, we can easily switch to online during your regularly-scheduled time slot.
• Asynchronous Lesson: Record yourself playing your weekly assignments and send them to me. I will use your slot to review it and send you detailed video/text feedback.
• Reschedule: If you need to move your lesson, please let me know as early as possible. While I will always check my schedule for open slots, please keep in mind that a matching opening is not guaranteed.
• Built-in Makeups: My studio runs on a tuition-based model. Because of this, months that contain a 5th lesson week are included at no extra cost—this extra lesson serves as a built-in bonus/make-up. I also offer dedicated make-up days during holiday weeks, such as the Monday/Tuesday before Thanksgiving or the week after Christmas.

I have been teaching piano for nearly 20 years and hold an AA in Piano Pedagogy and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Music Education. My diverse background includes teaching classroom music, choir, and band, and I have extensive experience successfully adapting lessons for students with special needs. I am also an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC).

My philosophy is to teach the person, not just the instrument. My approach is heavily influenced by the Kodály method, meaning we focus on internalizing music in a natural, joyful way. I blend this deep pedagogical training with a patient, encouraging environment, tailoring lessons to each student’s unique learning style and goals. Whether you are aiming for advanced classical certificates or playing purely for fun, my goal is to make music a source of lifelong joy!

Yes! I believe in offering a balanced mix of fun performance opportunities and respected, structured evaluations for students who want to participate.

Performance Opportunities

• Annual Spring Recital: A wonderful celebration where students share what they’ve learned by performing for family and friends.
• Christmas Concert: A laidback performance opportunity hosted at the school where I teach–students play the prelude to the school’s Christmas Concert.
• Outside Performances & Auditions: I love supporting my students’ musical lives outside the studio! If a student wants to prepare for a school talent show, a theater audition, a church service, or a community event, I will gladly use our lesson time to coach them and make sure they feel confident and ready.

Testing & Certificates (Optional)

• MTAC Certificate of Merit® (CM): As a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, my students are eligible to participate in annual CM evaluations and consistently receive high marks.
• The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM): For families interested in this internationally recognized, gold-standard curriculum, my training allows me to fully prepare and submit students for RCM examinations as well.

Please note: Exams and certificates are completely optional! They are a fantastic motivator for some students, but our primary focus is always on fostering a personal and lifelong love of music-making.

Consistency beats marathon sessions every time! For the best progress, aim for daily practice 5 to 6 days a week, based on age and level:

• Young Beginners: 15–20 minutes per day. For this age group, it is highly recommended to split this into two shorter sessions (e.g., 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes after school).
• Elementary Students: 20–30 minutes per day. As students grow and their pieces get a little longer, their practice time will naturally increase, depending on their specific level and goals.
• Older & Advancing Students: At least 30 minutes per day. For students who are at higher levels or preparing for advanced repertoire, practice will expand to an hour or more to thoroughly cover technique, artistry, and complex pieces.

Think of practice as a daily habit, just like brushing teeth or doing homework. Setting a consistent “piano time” each day works wonders.

My goal is to give students a strong foundation in reading music (notated music) and building excellent technique, which serves as a passport to play any genre they love. In my studio, you will find students playing everything from Bach and Beethoven to pop hits, movie themes, video game soundtracks, folk songs and jazz standards.

A note on improvisation: While I love incorporating creative elements like improvisation, lead sheets, and chord reading into our lessons, I do not teach exclusively by ear or improvisation the way a specialized jazz-only teacher might. We use sheet music as our home base, using it to build the solid reading skills needed to explore all kinds of musical worlds.

Studio tuition is billed as a flat monthly rate, ensuring your student has a dedicated weekly time slot held just for them. Rates are based on lesson length:

• 30-minute weekly lessons: $149 / month (Best for preschool & early elementary)
• 45-minute weekly lessons: $190 / month (Best for older or advancing students)
• 60-minute weekly lessons: $260 / month (Best for advanced students)

Payment is processed monthly via Zelle (which is already built into most major banking apps, or available as a free standalone app). It’s quick, secure, and hassle-free!

Tuition is a comprehensive fee that covers the full experience of high-quality music education. Beyond our weekly scheduled lesson, tuition invests in the behind-the-scenes work that makes lessons successful. This includes personalized curriculum planning, educational apps, researching new teaching materials, student progress tracking, and support between lessons via text/email/phone

I will source and provide all the necessary books and sheet music for you, so you don’t have to worry about ordering the wrong editions. Materials are simply billed to your account at the time they are provided.