Classical Piano Lessons for K-12 Students (Novice to Intermediate)
Age Group:
K-5 (Novice to Intermediate, up to the level of Sonatine)
Openings:
1 student
Eligibility:
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Students who are able to commit to daily practice (at least 10 minutes a day, with homework taking up to an hour depending on the day).
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Parents who are supportive and engaged in their child's piano progress, providing encouragement for daily practice.
Instrument Requirements:
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Acoustic piano is strongly recommended for the best experience.
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A weighted electric piano is acceptable at the beginning. However, if your child becomes serious about their learning, it may be a good idea to transition to an acoustic piano. If you need advice on good quality pianos, I am happy to provide recommendations.
Goal:
While ensuring that your child enjoys music, the focus is not just on fun, but also on building solid technical skills. My goal is to help your child develop strong piano techniques (hand posture, muscle training, and brain coordination) and a deep musical sense that will serve them for a lifetime.
Through the use of French technique books, I will guide your child in acquiring basic classical piano skills and understanding harmonies, providing a strong foundation for composing or performing in any genre.
Mentorship:
Piano learning often comes with ups and downs, especially during the K-12 years. These challenges, however, are a natural part of the growth process. As a mother, professional jazz pianist, Alto chorister, and piano teacher, I deeply understand the importance of this journey. The songs your child learns as a child can become lifelong assets and companions. With the support of both parents and myself, I aim to help your child overcome obstacles and grow into a better musician. When we are aligned in our approach, your child’s talent will truly flourish.
Let’s begin your child’s piano journey together!
To schedule your first free lesson, please contact me here.
Materials and Composers I Use (For Example):
Le Deliateur
Le Couppey Op.17 / L'Agilite
Czerny
Bach: first lesson, 2 part invention
Burgmueller: 25
Little mozart or Alfred series, Czerny, Sonatine
Beethoven's, Tchaikovsky's, Satie's, Wagner's
Basic Chopin, Joplin to name a few
Daily Practice Guidelines and Recording Submission:
Students are expected to practice daily, with a minimum of 10 minutes a day. For each lesson, students will record their practice sessions and submit them to me, with the help of their parents if needed. Students can send as many recordings as they wish, and I will provide feedback within 24-48 hours.
Optional suggestion platforms for uploading recordings include audio-sharing services like Soundcloud or YouTube. Students may choose to upload their recordings as unlisted or private (with parental permission), though this is optional.
Location:
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In-Person Lessons:
Several times a month at my place in Princeton, NJ.
Online lessons are available upon request after in-person lessons, at a mutually convenient time. -
In-Person Lessons at Your Home:
If your home is within 5 miles of downtown Princeton, I can come to you for lessons.
Lesson Schedule:
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Available after 4:00 PM and before 6:00 PM on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Monthly Piano Fee:
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$212 for a 4-week month ($53 per 1-hour lesson, once a week minimum).
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$265 for a 5-week month.
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Additional costs for lesson books and tools (e.g., metronome, pencils, etc.).
The monthly fee is based on the number of weekdays in that month.
For example, if there are 5 Mondays in a month, the fee will be for 5 lessons. I believe it's essential for children to have consistent, weekly learning opportunities.
Makeup Lessons:
If a lesson needs to be missed (due to school events, health, etc.), a makeup session will be arranged. However, refunds are generally not offered. Instead, makeup lessons are flexible and can be scheduled within 2 months of the original lesson, provided both of our schedules align.
In-Person Lessons at Your Home:
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$53 per hour
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$20 per visit (must be within a 10-minute drive from downtown Princeton, NJ)
About Mineko (Pianist and Composer):
Mineko was born into a family of musicians in Chiba, Japan. Her mother, a professional pianist and singer, ran one of the largest private music studios in the city, preparing students for top music universities. Surrounded by music from a young age, Mineko began lessons at the age of 3, studying classical piano, composition, and classical singing using both Japanese and European methods.
Her professional music career began during her college years when she started as a support keyboardist, later forming her own original band, releasing albums, and performing concerts. After marriage, she moved from Tokyo to Princeton in 2016 for her husband’s work. She currently has a university-aged son and a husband.
Mineko is an Alto chorister with Princeton Pro Musica.
As a jazz pianist, she has released five albums and toured as a support musician and concert artist in Tokyo, Nagoya, Nagano, New York City, and Boston throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Notable Concert Tours and Performances:
2007-2008: Concert pianist for choirs and string ensembles at concert halls, including performing Jazz Mass by Steve Dobrogosz under the direction of Kenji Otani.
Various music festivals in Yokohama, Chiba, NYC, Atlanta, and Tokyo, where she performed as a soloist and support keyboardist.
Band performance in Tokyo and Boston, along with a live radio performance on NHK FM Chiba in 2000.
Diamond Yukai’s NightLife Tours (1999–2002).
Compositions for theater plays and performances during tours in 1999
Latest Performance Videos:
A Child Is Born (a jazz standard song written Thad Jones) arr. and interpreted in a classical piano vibe by Mineko Ogata
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1E7va8Wr2k/
Joy to the world & Santa is coming to town Medley
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