Holistic piano lessons for students of all ages.
Learning piano is a wonderful way to explore the world of music! Vesper School of Music uses our very own piano curriculum developed by founder Becca Schultz. From their first lesson, students are taught music much as a language - first by ear, then by reading. Younger students are invited to sing along while playing to help facilitate learning. Musical elements are then introduced gradually during lessons - concepts such as melody, rhythm, theory, and musical phrasing are taught through pieces that are also fun to practice.
Our Approach
Music Literacy
One primary focus of our piano lessons is developing music literacy. Every piano student at Vesper is taught to read music in a way that works with their learning style. Our piano teachers use many different, proven techniques to help students understand music reading from the inside out.
Technique
Another foundational part of piano lessons is developing healthy technique at the instrument. We use our very own graduated system for teaching scales and piano technique that draws parallels between musical theory concepts, finger coordination, and the pieces students practice each week. Piano students are taught correct technique from the very beginning, ensuring they develop healthy practice habits that will allow them to play music their whole lives.
Creativity
Along with learning memorable songs in each lesson, students are encouraged to add their own creative elements too. We believe improvisation and composition are essential skills for every musician and guide our students to discover their own unique voice. Being creative with music helps students have a sense of ownership over the skills they are acquiring, and makes learning music even more fun!
Meet the Teachers
Joshua Hegg
BA in Music Production
Brian Jackson
Degree in Music Education
Addison DeSantis
BA in Music
Lindsay Hogan
BM in Music Performance
Owen Kelley
BA in Film Production
Start Learning!
We’re offering in person and virtual lessons for adult and young students. Register now, or contact us to learn more about why Vesper is the right fit for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should students practice each day?
For the youngest beginning students we recommend 15 minutes per day of focused practice time. Practice time gradually increases as skills develop, so we recommend most elementary age students practice between 20-30 minutes each day. We encourage adult students to sit down at the piano 5-6 days per week for at least 20 minutes.
How do piano students know what to practice?
We use Seesaw, a parent-teacher-student interface to communicate about weekly assignments. Students can see exactly what to practice each week in a detailed and organized format. Through this platform our teachers also upload personalized video tutorials and notes for students, and students can message teachers with questions regarding their assignments.
What kind of instrument do I need?
If your resources and space permit, we highly recommend piano students purchase or rent an acoustic piano. We realize this is not possible for everyone, so if you are not able to acquire a piano an 88-key, fully weighted electronic keyboard will also work. Having fully weighted keys is essential for developing correct piano technique.
How often should I tune my piano?
To keep your piano in its best shape, we recommend getting your piano tuned every six months. We highly recommend Tucker Dresden for piano tuning services: 503-502-3444.
Do I need to purchase music books?
As our curriculum is tailored to each student, we will occasionally recommend students purchase sheet music books or theory workbooks that will benefit them. Much of the piano music we teach is from our very own music library that is included with your enrollment.
