IN-PERSON or ONLINE LESSONS
Natale creates tailored lessons for each student to fit his or her interests, goals, abilities, budget and schedule. The methods used are based on the ABRSM curriculum; however, Natale pulls from many different sources to bring her students a well-rounded piano education. To keep costs down, Natale tries to find free, legal, online music or creates the sheet music herself using music software. She already has a large database of original compositions that she uses in her lessons. There is no need purchase books and sheet music for the first two years of lessons. Natale has high expectations for her musicians and always wants to challenge them with new pieces and concepts.
Natale has taught piano to students of all ages and levels for over 37 years. She has an Undergraduate Degree from the University of Missouri and a Masters Degree in Teaching through the University of Southern California. She enjoys teaching, composing, performing, accompanying, reading and writing.
Technology is used during the piano lessons. Students are encouraged to take audio or video of themselves throughout the week for feedback and encouragement! Weekly lesson plans are kept up to date using shared Google Docs for parents and students. Besides owning a beautiful grand piano, Natale has three Yamaha Clavinova electric pianos in her home studio that keep students engaged with the hundreds of sound samples and recording options. In addition, short music theory assignments with worksheets are introduced into lessons often using a video format.
Recitals are held in Natale's home, which gives students a chance to perform in front of others and to demonstrate what they have learned. Natale also hosts Soirees for adults and Theory classes for kids as a means for students and friends to gather socially and share their enthusiasm and appreciation for the piano. Additional opportunities to perform may include venues such as at Senior Citizen homes and the Steinway Gallery. ABRSM (https://www.abrsm.org/en-us) and Federation (https://www.nfmc-music.org/festival/) offer even more possibilities for performances, competitions, and testing.
Piano recitals for school-aged students are scheduled three to four times a year in Natale's home and/or on Zoom.
Multi-hand pieces require extra practicing are are informal gatherings for my students and the community.
Soireés are held for adults, older teens, and advanced students on occasional weekend evenings for students and music lovers in the nearby community. Natale's older students prefer to play in front of other adults at these fun, social gatherings. It is not just piano being heard , but all kinds of music; singing, guitar, violin, etc., All are welcome simply by sending an RSVP to pianonatale@gmail.com or to the contacts page of this web site.
The next Soiree is tentatively planned for
June 23rd, 2024 @ 5 pm
To request an invitation please contact Natale at:
Accepts
(fees may apply)
Preparing for a piano audition? Natale can help you choose and prepare your audition pieces, and teach you the scales you need to know to get into the music school you want. She can offer you performance opportunities, help with writing your performance notes, guide you in filling out the music college application, and assist in a recommendation to your school of choice.
When should my child begin piano lessons?
Five to six years is the best age to start piano lessons. Of course, there are always exceptions! Children should at least know left from right, letters and numbers, and be able to sit still for 10-20 minutes at a time.
How can I prepare my child for piano lessons?
To prepare your your child for piano lessons, listen to all kinds of PIANO music, dance, clap, and sing with him or her! There are tons of OPPOSITES in piano music that you can teach your child at home: black vs. white keys, groups of two black vs. three black keys, numbers vs. letters, loud vs. quiet, fast vs. slow, up vs. down, high vs. low, right vs. left, sharps vs. flats, treble clef vs. bass clef, lines vs. spaces, melody vs. harmony, major vs minor. You can also teach your child that each finger is a number. For example, Thumb is #1, Pointer is #2 , Middle Finger is #3, Ring Finger is #4 and Pinky is #5.