FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do you have openings for new students?
My studio tends to stay relatively full, but I do sometimes have openings. Most openings become available in June or July, leading up to the next school year. Even if I don't have any immediate openings, you can request to be added to my studio wait list. Please contact me for more information: anakyoder@gmail.com or 574-304-9419.
3. What days and times do you offer piano lessons?
Fall 2023-Spring 2024 lessons will be offered Tuesdays from 3:00 to 6:00pm, Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:15am and 3:00-5:00pm, and Thursdays from 2:45 to 7:45pm.
4. What is a good age to start piano lessons?
In most cases, my youngest piano students are age 5 or 6, entering Kindergarten or 1st grade, and have a long enough attention span to stay engaged for the duration of a 30-minute lesson. After that, any age is a good age to start piano lessons! If you are looking for a way to encourage musical growth and development in children ages 0-5, or if your K-2nd grader isn't quite ready for private lessons, I highly recommend the Goshen College Music Together program: Music Together Family Classes for ages 0-5 or Rhythm Kids for K-2nd!
5. Do you teach adults?
Yes! I have taught many adult piano students, from absolute beginners to avid music lovers with years of piano, and from college students through retired adults. I always enjoy learning to know each person and their story, and working with them to help them accomplish their musical goals.
6. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of online piano lessons?
Online lessons eliminate the need for transportation to and from the studio, give the teacher an opportunity to see the student’s home practice environment, and provide a chance for fun and creative technology usage during the lesson. Online lessons also build independence in the student, since learning skills like counting measures and marking their own music will be even more necessary. A few disadvantages include reliance on stable internet, lack of in-person interaction for engaging communication and demonstration, and limited ability for teacher and student to tap, sing or play together simultaneously. I teach primarily in-person lessons, but taught exclusively online at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and continue to use online lessons for a variety of reasons (illness, inclement weather, distance lessons, etc).
For another perspective, check out this article by Wendy Stevens written in March 2020, titled “Will online piano lessons really work for my child?”
7. How do I pay for piano lesson tuition?
Choose one of these ways to pay lesson tuition: pay cash or check in-person, mail a check, use your bank’s bill pay service, or request an email invoice to pay online via PayPal. Tuition is always due on the first lesson day of each month. Please contact me directly for more information about lesson tuition: anakyoder@gmail.com or 574-304-9419.
8. Does a student need to own a piano in order to enroll in piano lessons?
Ideally, yes. In some cases, it may work for a student to practice on someone else’s piano, but they must have easy access to it, and be committed to going there regularly (five to six days per week).
9. Can a student practice on a keyboard?
Yes, but only on a temporary basis. In other words, if a student enrolls in piano lessons, it should be understood that in order for them to enjoy making music and progress in their learning, they will need to upgrade to an acoustic piano as soon as possible. There are many suitable keyboard options available; a few that will work include the Yamaha P-45, Roland FP-30, or Roland RP102.
10. Where can I buy a good acoustic piano?
Two good places to look in this area are Chupp’s Pianos in New Paris, or Shirk’s Piano Gallery in Mishawaka. I am always happy to assist any student or family in their search for a reasonably-priced acoustic piano in good condition.
11. How often do I need to tune my acoustic piano?
Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice each year. A good rule of thumb is to schedule a tuning about two to four weeks after turning on the heat for the winter months, and about two to four weeks after turning on the air conditioning for the summer months. However, this may vary depending on the specific environment of your home. Be sure to ask the advice of your piano technician.
12. Besides regular tuning, what else can I do to take good care of my acoustic piano?
Keep your piano clean, try to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity in the room where your piano is placed, play your piano regularly, and keep all drinks and liquids away from the piano. These suggestions are taken from the Piano Technicians Guild website. For more information, please see their page on “Basic Rules of Piano Care.”