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!

The class consists of self-paced learning with pre-recorded video instruction and synchronous classes on Zoom.

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.
End-of-semester in-person performance class.
Facebook community for support and learning tips.

New Courses available for Fall 2025!

Intermediate Level 4

Graduates of the intermediate level courses have been asking for the next level in their musical growth. Here it is! Intermediate level 4 is appropriate for students who have completed Intermediate Level 3, or are at the late intermediate level through their own piano practice. If you are unsure whether this is the right level for you, please contact me!

Independent Learner Course

For students wishing to work on pieces outside of the course curriculum offered in this series. You select your pieces, work independently, and receive support in the following ways:

Written practice strategy plan
Personalized feedback to your videos
One private mini-lesson
Participation in group classes and performances.

If you are not sure which piece(s) to learn for your levels, you may consult with me. This is ideal for students who are taking a break from the structured course instruction and want to learn more repertoire on their own, or for students who are enrolled in the adult piano course series and want additional support for repertoire they are learning on their own. Open to all levels and students who are not currently enrolled in this series.

Course Bundles

Mezzoforte bundle $240 (early bird $230) + $15 registration fee

Video course
One mini-lesson
Unlimited video feedback
Three synchronous classes open to all levels
Final performance class
Unlimited email responses to questions

Mezzopiano bundle $107 (early bird $102) + $15 registration fee

Repeat video course
One mini-lesson
Unlimited video feedback
Three synchronous classes open to all levels
Final performance class
Unlimited email responses to questions

Independent Learner Course $200 (early bird $192) + $15 registration fee

Written practice plans
One mini-lesson
Unlimited video feedback
Three synchronous classes open to all levels
Final performance class
Unlimited email responses to questions

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 Friday, August 22, 2025.

For those who register after the early bird deadline: Tuition is due 5 days after your registration date or by Friday, September 12, 2025, whichever comes first.

Final date to register and pay tuition: Friday, September 12, 2025.

Fall 2025 Course Calendar

Video access dates
September 15 - December 13, 2025.

Synchronous Classes - Open to All Levels
Friday, October 3, 12:00-12:45pm
Monday, November 3, 12:00-12:45pm
Friday, December 5, 12:00-12:45pm

Final performance (in-person)
Saturday, December 13, 11:45am-12:30pm (tentative)

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.
Intermediate Level 4: Alfred’s Premiere Piano Express, All-In-One Accelerated Course, Book 4; Adult Piano Adventures Popular, Book 2, Nancy & Randall Faber; 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 Faber method book are available locally at the Faber Piano Institute as well as electronically through iBooks, Kindle and Google Play. All books are 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.
Assignments with practice guidance are available as part of the courses.

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