Bairds Piano and Art Studio

A multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning piano...

Everyone learns differently.  As a nurse and as a mom, I am fascinated with how children learn.  I work hard to make sure that as many concepts as possible are taught with a multisensory approach in a low stress, positive environment. This is done at the bench and off the piano bench.

This means I try to understand and focus per student on their particular learning style.  Some children use movement or touch to understand concepts.  Other need to "see" a visual representation of the concepts and others need to "hear" to understand.  With the parent's help, I try to understand how your child learns the best.  Most children use all of their senses to learn but some are more visual, or auditory, etc.  I try as many types of approaches as necessary to help the child feel confident with the concepts being taught.  True understanding increases confidence which then promotes lifelong retention and skills.

I have learned through my many years of teaching that the students who play off the bench games and play in ensembles are the students who progress the best.  Because of this observation, I mostly teach group piano lessons for beginner and early intermediate leveled students.  Each class has the potential for 4 students.  All have access to a full size, weighted keyboard in class.  Lessons are an hour long with thirty minutes of theory games and written theory which is followed by thirty minutes in the group lesson room, applying what we learned at the keyboards.

My studio's structure is mostly geared towards young children and elementary aged students though I do teach all ages and the average student.  I have especially enjoyed working with nontraditional students such as those with dyslexia, autism, PDD NOS, sensory issues, Down's Syndrome, and the more common learning disability of ADHD or ADD.  The students with these challenges are usually invited to have private lessons.

The traditional lesson isn't always the most effective approach or a good fit for every child so I offer a few different program. Call or email me and we can discuss the possibilities. :o)