Piano for Adults

"As a formal choral singer, I always wanted to learn how to play an instrument. I started group piano classes with Paola six months ago, and I am impressed with the progress I have made in such a short amount of time! I really enjoy the combination of self-learning and pacing with group review. I chose the English folk song, Greensleeves, because it was a beautiful piece I came to love as a child. The best thing about learning piano is that a piece can initially be challenging but with focus and practice, mastery can be accomplished! The most challenging thing about learning piano is overcoming performance anxiety, but practice and mindfulness techniques help with addressing this." - Jasmine (Level 2)

Have you always wanted to learn piano, but never had the time or motivation? Are you finding yourself in need for some you time?  Are you eager for an opportunity to build a mindful and enriching musical learning practice into your daily life?

Register for an adult piano course for a supportive, online learning experience that will help you develop and hone your piano skills!

You can take the class in one of two formats:

1) Self-paced learning with pre-recorded video instruction, or
2) Pre-recorded video instruction with synchronous group classes.

Special perks:

  • One-on-one instruction included in your tuition.

  • Send me videos of your playing any time for written feedback.

  • Free sight-reading and technique resources.

  • Studio licenses to additional repertoire pieces.

  • In-person performance class.

  • Facebook community for support and learning tips.

Course Bundles

Forte Bundle $300 ($288 early bird) + $15 Registration fee 

  • Participate in real-time instructional classes.

  • Learn at your own pace with pre-recorded instruction.

  • Participate in synchronous classes on Zoom: perform, ask questions, receive feedback.

  • Receive personalized feedback to unlimited video submissions.

  • One-on-one mini-lesson on Zoom (15 minutes).

  • Participate in a celebratory in-person final performance class.

  • Email me as many questions as you can think of: unlimited support.

Mezzoforte bundle $235 (early bird $225) + $15 Registration fee

  • Learn at your own pace with pre-recorded video instruction.

  • Participate in synchronous classes on Zoom: perform, ask questions, receive feedback.

  • One-on-one mini-lesson on Zoom (15 minutes).

  • Receive personalized feedback to unlimited video submissions.

  • Participate in a celebratory in-person final performance class.

  • Email me as many questions as you can think of: unlimited support.

Mezzopiano bundle $105 (early bird $100) + $15 Registration fee

  • Repeat a level you’ve taken before.

  • Participate in synchronous classes on Zoom: perform, ask questions, receive feedback.

  • One-on-one mini-lesson on Zoom (15 minutes).

  • Receive personalized feedback to unlimited video submissions.

  • Participate in a celebratory in-person final performance class.

  • Email me as many questions as you can think of: unlimited support.

Sforzando Add-on: Mini-lessons $20/15 minutes

  • 15-minute one-on-one lessons.

  • Schedule as needed.

  • Work on course content, or any other piece you are learning on your own.

Registration

Early bird tuition: form completed, tuition paid by Monday, April 29, 2024.

For those who register after the early bird deadline: Tuition is due 5 days after your registration date or by Friday, May 10, 2024, whichever comes first.

Final date to register and pay tuition: Friday, May 10, 2024.

Click on the buttons below to register!

Mezzoforte & Mezzopiano bundle courses

All bundles available

Spring/Summer 2024 Course Calendar

Video access dates
May 13 - August 30, 2024

Synchronous Classes - Open to All Levels

Friday, May 31, 12:00-12:45pm
Friday, June 21, 12:00-12:45pm
Friday, August 9, 12:00-12:45pm

Intermediate Level 3 Synchronous Classes

Monday, May 20, 12:00-12:45pm
Monday, June 3, 12:00-12:45pm
Monday, June 17, 12:00-12:45pm
Monday, August 5, 12:00-12:45pm

Leveling

Which level should you take?

Level 1: Newcomers to musical study who have never taken piano before, or individuals who have taken piano a long time ago but don’t remember much.

Levels 2-3: Pianists with some piano background who can play early elementary level pieces with hands together (e.g. knowledge of 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures, staccato, legato, basic dynamics, five-finger patterns, etc.).

Levels 4-6: Pianists with some piano background who can play late elementary level pieces with hands together (e.g. pieces with melody in the right hand and harmony in the left hand, ability to play different articulation in each hand when playing hands together, familiarity with white key pentascales, C and G major scales, primary chords, etc.)

Levels 7-9: Pianists with piano background who can play pieces at the early intermediate level.

Level 10 and Intermediate Levels: Pianists with piano background who can play pieces at the intermediate level.

Materials needed

  • Keyboard or acoustic piano (please contact me if you need suggestions!)

  • Electronic device that allows Zoom calls and can be placed near your keyboard/piano

  • Levels 1-3: Piano Adventures Adults All-In-One, Book 1, by Nancy and Randall Faber

  • Level 4: Piano Adventures Adults All-In-One, Books 1 and 2 and Adult Piano Classics, Book 1 by Nancy and Randall Faber

  • Levels 5-7: Piano Adventures Adults All-In-One, Book 2, by Nancy and Randall Faber

  • Level 8: Piano Adventures Adults All-In-One, Book 2, and Accelerated Piano Adventures Theory Book 2, by Nancy and Randall Faber and Sight-Reading, Book 2 by Diane Hidy and Keith Snell

  • Level 9: Piano Adventures Adults All-In-One, Book 2; Piano Safari for the Older Beginner: Repertoire and Technique, Book 3, and Sight-Reading & Theory, Book 3, by Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr; Alfred’s Basic Piano Course - Popular Hits, Book 1.

  • Level 10 & Intermediate Levels 1 and 2: Piano Safari for the Older Beginner: Repertoire and Technique, Book 3, and Sight-Reading & Theory, Book 3, by Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr; Alfred’s Basic Piano Course - Popular Hits, Book 1.

  • Intermediate Level 3: Alfred’s Premiere Piano Express, All-In-One Accelerated Course, Book 4; Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 2 by keith Snell and Martha Ashleigh; Sight-Reading and Rhythm Every Day, Book 3B, by Helen Marlais.

Policies

Tuition

  • Upon completing the online form, you will receive an invoice for the entire tuition. You may pay online directly through the invoice (additional credit card charges apply), or by check. The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable to a different person or semester.  

  • Tuition is non-transferrable to a different person or semester. No tuition refunds are given after classes begin.

Materials and Online Access

  • Students are responsible for acquiring an instrument for practice. A tuned acoustic piano is ideal for practice outside of class, however an 88-key weighted keyboard may be used as a substitute. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like suggestions. 

  • Students must purchase their own books. The method book is available locally at King’s House of Keyboards and the Faber Piano Institute as well as electronically through iBooks, Kindle and Google Play. A hard copy of the book is also available online through vendors such as sheetmusicplus.com and amazon.com.

  • Students are responsible for ensuring that their WiFi connection and electronic devices can accommodate Zoom calls. The instructor is not responsible for connectivity issues on the student’s end. If the instructor is experiencing unexpected connectivity issues, any missed class time will be made up.

Practice

  • Students are expected to practice regularly throughout the week. Practice length is generally between 15-30 minutes per practice session.

  • Weekly assignments will be emailed to the class following each class.

Absences

  • There are no refunds or credits issued for missed classes due to absences or early terminations. Review sessions will be video recorded so you may view them later if you are not able to attend.

  • The instructor will not make up the time missed in a situation where a student is absent or late to the review session for any reason.

Instructor: Paola Savvidou, DMA, NCTM

Student performances and Testimonials

"In this class I not only learn about piano technique, but also transferable skills such as (1) a mindfulness approach to everything, (2) breaking down a difficult problem into several small issues and solving them one by one, (3) paying attention to details, (4) “practice makes perfect”, and (5) dealing with performance anxiety. I am thankful to Paola and to the piano class." - Tung (Level 3 Group Piano for Adults)

Paola is an exceptional piano teacher and a talented pianist. I feel really lucky to be a part of her virtual classes; from the self-study videos with tricks, techniques and theory to pushing her students to be not only great piano players but also listeners, she strives to make the classes quite fun, productive, inspiring and challenging. She is very supportive with her feedback, and puts extra effort to improve her students' well-being and self compassion. My technique, listening and confidence in performance have improved beyond measure because of her teaching style. I always leave her classes motivated to practice and learn more. I can't recommend her highly enough!
- Bilge, Level 3 student

This class is fun while still stimulating and challenging my brain. Paola does an amazing job of relating to the students while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. The class time goes by fast and she seamlessly allows for all of us to have time to play. I wanted to take this class to learn a new skill and get out of my comfort zone. Paola is encouraging in her feedback and motivating when students are experiencing challenges. Her asynchronous videos are well done and support students throughout the week, and I have learned patience with myself while learning new material. No matter how well I play in class, I leave the session with a feeling of accomplishment for challenging myself to perform in front of others. Thanks Paola!
- Elizabeth, Level 1 student

As a retiree who took traditional piano lessons in the past, I have really enjoyed taking online group piano lessons from Paola and have learned so much from this approach. Paola creates videos for each piece that we work on, which enables us to learn and practice at our own speed during the week. Class time on Zoom is then used as a safe space for performing if we choose to and for asking questions. Paola is great at giving feedback in a constructive and positive way and is focused on bringing out the potential of each student. She devotes a few minutes of each class to relaxation exercises and de-stressing, which I appreciate. I enthusiastically recommend Paola and her innovative teaching methods.
- Mary, Level 2 student

I’ve been learning piano with Paola in her Adult Group Piano for about a year, and I would strongly recommend her class. She creates a friendly and supportive learning environment, and the pace of the class is just right. I learn and practice new techniques as well as familiar ones every week, and I became familiar with sight reading gradually in a wider and wider scale. Most importantly, she provides students with a lot of very helpful tips and tricks to practice difficult sections, which has helped me to become fluent in challenging pieces. She has help me and my classmates become good at playing the piano as a hobby. I’d very strongly recommend her class!
- Wei, Level 2 student