A really spectacular instructor. I wish I could still take lessons with her but I started a new job further away. Otherwise I'd still be under her fine tutelage! I learned so much, and she was a very patient, informative instructor. I recommend her to everybody of any skill level. read more

I'm 30 years old and decided to take piano lessons because of an unfinished childhood dream. My musical knowledge and piano skill is very minimal, basically zero. I attempted to study from some online sources before without much success. So I decided to search for a private tutor. I found Joyce because of the impressive reviews on Yelp. She turns out to be an amazing teacher, even better than I expected! Very patient with me and has a way of pointing out my mistakes without making me feel discouraged. I've been taking classes from her about once a week for half a year now. I can now play a dozen songs without difficulties and sight read music at a reasonable speed. I was worried that I won't be able to keep practicing on a day-to-day basis because of my busy work and life. But the enjoyment and encouragement her lessons provide keep me on track. I never thought this would happen -- but I would look forward to the daily 30mins I set aside to play piano. She is also very accommodating to my ever changing work schedule. For me, she is the perfect piano teacher. read more

I'm 25 years old and on a whim I decided that I wanted to take piano lessons again and I got very lucky finding Joyce. I was a little nervous starting up lessons as an adult but Joyce was just awesome. She's really patient and a fantastic teacher. Playing the piano is difficult, and it certainly takes dedication and daily practice. When I took lessons with Joyce I was also working full-time so some weeks I wasn't able to practice as much as I'd have liked. This was never a problem, every lesson was fun and I learned a lot. Having Joyce as a teacher was so much fun, and every week I was driven not only by my interest in music, but also to show her what I was capable of. She just brings the best out of you. I recommend Joyce to anyone, young, old, or somewhere in between. If you like piano, she'll make you love it. read more

I've been taking lessons with Joyce since the fall of 2010 (in fulfillment of a lifelong and long-delayed dream) and have to say that she's simply an outstanding teacher. She is flexible, patient, communicative, and passionate about what she does. She is good both at suggesting materials to learn from and filling in the gaps where the books fail to illuminate a particular concept or technique. I leave each lesson a little calmer than when I went in. Also, she is literally a two-minute walk from Porter Station, so, highly accessible to anyone using public transit. read more

I had the privilege and honor of working with Joyce for 2 years. I came to Joyce as a student who was still figuring his way around the piano and with her fine tutelage, I was playing pieces that I didn't imagine I could attempt after a short period. She is rigorus, patient, with a refined musical sensitivity, and does inspire you to practice. I was always looking forward to her lessons. The lessons were fun and she was flexible with regards to the repretoire you want to work on. Her guidance wasn't only on technical matters, but also making sure you understand the music and can play it musically. She teaches on a high quality baby-grand Steinway which is always a lot of fun to play. If you're looking for a piano teacher who would teach you how to play well, is patient, and inspiring, I strongly recommend Joyce. read more

Somewhere after New Years, driven by that naive "I'm not going to be a water-treading wastrel this year!" mentality that hits us all when confronted by the terrifying blankness of another year of life, I decided I was going to try to learn the piano. Hungover, but determined not to let that thought pass idly through my brain, I found Joyce via her great Yelp reviews and sent her an email. A few weeks later we began lessons twice a month. She was encouraging, positive, and laid back. I quickly began to look forward to our lessons, not just for their own sake, but because Joyce, her husband, and their cat Tango had become a welcome addition to that little extended circle of people in my life. I always left after a lesson feeling better about life in general. Improving myself, chatting with these warm, intelligent people for a few minutes who I'd never have otherwise met, leaving and immediately bee-lining it for Anna's (across the street!)--it all just combined to form a wonderfully rewarding experience. And somewhere along the line, amidst all of this pleasantness I began to pick it up! Before I knew it I was reading music, playing scales and arpeggios by memory, and ham-handedly banging my way through pieces both familiar and unfamiliar (she mercifully let me skip the cheesy ones from the book). She was great at explaining concepts if I got lost or simply wanted more information, and was careful to foster proper technique along the way--merely 'hitting the notes' wasn't enough, she emphasized style and touch to create the proper sound. I got extremely busy with work and planning a wedding, so I have been on a hiatus with my lessons, but looking back as I write this I am kind of amazed at how much I retained, having barely played at all since I hit pause on this endeavor. Overall I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better, kinder, or more patient teacher. After all, she put up with me. read more

Joyce is a fine teacher. My fingers don't do what she says (or what I want them to do) the first few tries, but her patience wins, every time. I'm very happy I found her, and that she took me on as a student. read more

Joyce has been my piano teacher for the past 18 months. (I took lessons as a child and occasionally as an adult without much success.) She transformed my image of what piano lessons can be, providing incentive to practice but understanding when I've had a busy week and not made much progress. There's always something worthwhile to work on with her at my lessons and I look forward to them. read more

Joyce is a totally fabulous piano teacher. She is patient with both children and with adults, and can teach at all levels of skill. She is rigorous on the fundamentals but is happy to let you shape the lesson into what you want it to be. Furthermore, she's warm and friendly. As an adult student I always looked forward to learning with her and never felt self conscious. Highly recommended! As other reviewers have said, she has a waiting list, so be sure to give her a call to see if she is available! read more

I found Joyce via Yelp when I first moved to Boston less than two years ago. So glad that I did. She is a wonderful teacher, encouraging, patient, calm, always had something positive to say. Without her, I won't be able to pick up Bach's pieces again. It was unfortunate that I have to stop playing after a year, I DO hope one day I will be back on to her piano class again. Her teaching is truly helpful! read more

Joyce is an amazing teacher. I had taken so many years (decades?) off from playing piano when I finally reached out to her. At best, my playing ability was at a mid-intermediate level. In less than three years, and dozens of classical pieces later, she had me playing Brahms Intermezzo Opus 118 No2. I never dreamed my ability to play could grow as much as it has under her supervision. She's very patient and flexible. When work would get in the way, we'd take some time off and work out when to meet again. She has a vast catalog of classical music she teaches from. And she does an excellent job of balancing technical work with the joy of playing. You will have to climb a few stairs to get to her. I moved to Seattle and have been struggling to find a teacher here. It's difficult because Joyce has set such a high bar. read more

I highly recommend Joyce, especially for those adults who had no prior experience and want to explore piano playing. I started taking lessons from Joyce since September, 2011. With absolutely no experience, I was able to play soon after that, thanks to Joyce's patient, communicative and compassionate teaching. Not only she is a great piano player herself, but she is also constantly conveying the love for music to her students. I never got frustrated and was encouraged to try playing songs that I like. She is flexible and understanding and customize her teaching according to my progress. I have been enjoying my 1 hour lesson so much. The location is also convenient, it is only two-min walk from Porter Square. read more

Joyce P. Barringer is OUTSTANDING as a piano instructor and person. I searched for years for the right teacher. I had had an excellent teacher in childhood and in young adulthood and know that the instructor makes or breaks my relationship with the piano and its music. (From my childhood lessons, I still have the technical and musical learning in my head and fingers, even if my fingers didn't cooperate as a team when I restarted lessons at middle age.) First, Joyce loves the piano. Teaching is not a job or task for her--she literally has a relationship with the instrument, the music, the student's attention, efforts and takes them all in as she listens and instructs. She even tells me I make mistakes musically, and I believe her. Every note, every fingering, every phrase and touch of the key -- she stays atuned, even before I get to the next note or measure. She is with the student every step of the way. I had been away from regular lessons and the piano in general for about 30 years. I was very insecure about the piano and what I would or would not be able to do when started three years ago at age 46, and now, I hope to stay with her for decades to come. My son started lessons with her at about 9/10 years of age, and I have been persuading friends to have their children take lessons with her instead of their current instructor. They would get so much more out of 30 or 45 minutes with her than hours and hours with most other instructors. My adult neighbor, fresh and new to piano, wants to take lessons with her too. Her adult students range from folks who want to learn their favorite show tunes and pop songs to classical music connoisseurs, young students tight on time and budget to Ph.D.'d professors. For both adults and children, she teaches beginners to the very experienced, musical and not-so-musical. Most of all, her good heart, patience, kind discipline, and thoughtful encouragement-- I cherish and admire. Joyce has a waiting list, so if you want to take lessons with her, let her know! read more

I took piano lessons my entire childhood, and while I always enjoyed playing, I never particularly enjoyed my lessons. I got a full weighted keyboard as a grad-school graduation gift and although I had fun picking up my old books again, I was hungry to learn some more challenging pieces and refine some of my rusty skills. I hoped, as a bonus, to enjoy my lessons... but did not really expect to enjoy them as much as I did with Joyce!!!! She is incredibly sweet and patient, and she pushed me to learn pieces I never thought I'd be able to play. I always looked forward to my lessons, and left feeling good about myself and what I had accomplished. I have taken a break only because my schedule is too hectic now that I have a child, but hope to return soon and I can't wait until my child is old enough to take lessons with Joyce! read more

I've had now six instructors, and can say Joyce is excellent. She's very encouraging, can focus on both small details and larger opportunities. I have benefited a great deal in working with her. Would recommend her without reservation!! read more

Joyce helped me find and develop a love for playing piano. I studied piano as a child, and for years I wanted to return to it. However, I had bad memories of dreading my piano lessons and feeling guilty when I didn't practice. That completely changed with Joyce. Every week I looked forward to my lesson with her. From the beginning she gave me the encouragement that I needed to keep going and believe that my practice was worthwhile. She praised me when I was on the right track, and gently corrected me when I wasn't. She understands that someone learning the piano needs to love their material in order to be motivated to practice. So, she pointed me in the right direction for finding music that I love, and never faulted me for choosing not to play a piece because it wasn't my style. Her patience is remarkable - she never seems to get frustrated. Even when I was butchering Beethoven, she had something positive to say. When I had finally learned a piece and could play it competently, she helped me hone my performance and find the nuances in the piece. She will tailor her lessons to your individual need. She is also a lovely person, and a delight to work with. I highly recommend her! read more