I took piano lessons at Noteworthy Piano Studio for 14 years (stopping after I graduated high school). Patti (who is the sole instructor at the studio) was always very encouraging of my hard work, gently vindictive of the times I fell short, and knowledgeable on the material I worked on. In my 14 years there, I went from chopsticks to Chopin and everything in between.
Patti uses multiple teaching techniques to advance her students. While the regular instruction at the piano was certainly her main tool, she also had computer programs that would help with rhythm, understanding music theory, and even playing pieces. Once a year, I went out for AIM testing, where I would perform for a different teacher and they would provide me some instruction. They would test me on my sight reading ability and how well I performed a song (or several). There were some real advantages of doing this testing. It set a specific goal for where I would need to be, and I had to work towards that goal so I could pass the test and reach a new "level" of piano (AIM in particular was a pass/fail course and had specific criteria for numerous levels of the program - in the end I got to Level 11 iirc).
One of the main things that sets her studio apart is how many opportunities she makes for students to perform their material. She hosts group piano classes about once a season where students can perform in front of a small group of other students. I really enjoyed these growing up, and they were a great motivator for working on my repertoire. Additionally, she hosted much larger recitals twice a year that allowed me to pick a piece or two and perform it in a piano hall in front of other piano students and their parents. The other students and I were also offered opportunities to perform at various functions throughout the year (such as her recent Glorious Grands concert last year), and were given options to compete in several competitions.
My instruction at Noteworthy Piano Studio allowed me to be able to play piano on my own as an adult. I regularly go to pick up new sheet music for a song I want to learn, and I still play on a nearly daily basis on my own time. I no longer have a teacher that I report to each week, but I strongly feel that Patti's instruction is what enabled me to reach this point. read more