As a kid, I was both bored and nervous in my private piano lessons. It was one of those things I was good at, but that gave me a headache and a sense of impending doom whenever I thought about lessons.
Throughout the week, I would spend my time avoiding practicing at home. I would try coming up with another reasonable-sounding excuse to give my teacher so I could avoid that dreadful feeling of guilt around not practicing.
I had pressure to compete regionally and complete rigorous national exams (which all burned me out before I hit my teens), and I felt like reaching an advanced level of piano would be impossible...
I don't want this for our students...I want students to build meaningful and playful connections with their teacher–as well as with each other–to empower, problem-solve, and explore together. I want them to see and feel their progress each week and always know at any point how well they’re progressing on their piano journey, whether or not they choose to practice at home regularly (AND without guilt either way).
So two years ago, I established a lessons environment–originally designed by some of the nation's top piano adjudicators–to give students a calm, uplifting space to concentrate, work independently, practice materials with a professional teacher, and discover answers to many of the why's and how's they have about music.
It's called...
Throughout the week, I would spend my time avoiding practicing at home. I would try coming up with another reasonable-sounding excuse to give my teacher so I could avoid that dreadful feeling of guilt around not practicing.
I had pressure to compete regionally and complete rigorous national exams (which all burned me out before I hit my teens), and I felt like reaching an advanced level of piano would be impossible...
I don't want this for our students...I want students to build meaningful and playful connections with their teacher–as well as with each other–to empower, problem-solve, and explore together. I want them to see and feel their progress each week and always know at any point how well they’re progressing on their piano journey, whether or not they choose to practice at home regularly (AND without guilt either way).
So two years ago, I established a lessons environment–originally designed by some of the nation's top piano adjudicators–to give students a calm, uplifting space to concentrate, work independently, practice materials with a professional teacher, and discover answers to many of the why's and how's they have about music.
It's called...
The foragers Piano Lesson Program
Foragers teaches piano students more concepts in less time, all while keeping learning fun and nerves-free. In a world where people commonly say, "I could never play an instrument...it's too hard!" our goal is to help piano feel easy for Foragers students!
In Foragers, students are not held back by peers like a traditional group lesson, and they don't have the pressure of playing perfectly in front of their teacher or peers. Instead, our students play their music and exercises on their own digital piano with headphones, accompanied by a fun MIDI backing track. Students get as much individualized attention from the teacher as they need, AND they have time to try, practice, and repeat each new skill independently, boosting their confidence and building a clear understanding of concepts so they can progress more easily and quickly.
While working on their own, the MIDI backing track software assesses right and wrong notes and rhythms with great accuracy, and if the student plays the music with 80% or higher accuracy, they can progress to the next assignment.
Under the guidance of an experienced, professional musician and teacher, your child will receive a FUN, holistic, and fundamentally sound piano education as they learn proper technique, reading skills, memorization, music theory, hands-on discovery of their why's and how's around music, and more.
Students can join Foragers at any time, age, or level, and are able to move through each level at an average time range of 14-20 weeks (2x faster on average than private lesson students of the same level), depending on learning style and their choice of whether or not to practice at home. Our ultimate goal, however, is for students to learn and progress at their pace.
Once Foragers students graduate from Level 6, they progress into Trailblazers intermediate-advanced private lessons, where they dive deeply into technical and repertoire studies that are tailored to their goals and interests.
In Foragers, students are not held back by peers like a traditional group lesson, and they don't have the pressure of playing perfectly in front of their teacher or peers. Instead, our students play their music and exercises on their own digital piano with headphones, accompanied by a fun MIDI backing track. Students get as much individualized attention from the teacher as they need, AND they have time to try, practice, and repeat each new skill independently, boosting their confidence and building a clear understanding of concepts so they can progress more easily and quickly.
While working on their own, the MIDI backing track software assesses right and wrong notes and rhythms with great accuracy, and if the student plays the music with 80% or higher accuracy, they can progress to the next assignment.
Under the guidance of an experienced, professional musician and teacher, your child will receive a FUN, holistic, and fundamentally sound piano education as they learn proper technique, reading skills, memorization, music theory, hands-on discovery of their why's and how's around music, and more.
Students can join Foragers at any time, age, or level, and are able to move through each level at an average time range of 14-20 weeks (2x faster on average than private lesson students of the same level), depending on learning style and their choice of whether or not to practice at home. Our ultimate goal, however, is for students to learn and progress at their pace.
Once Foragers students graduate from Level 6, they progress into Trailblazers intermediate-advanced private lessons, where they dive deeply into technical and repertoire studies that are tailored to their goals and interests.
What will my student learn to play?
Level 1
Evergreen students start making music right away! Our students are able to play a handful of songs within the first few weeks. Our entry level focuses on keeping a steady beat, studying the landscape of the keyboard, learning alphabet letters of the white keys, and mastering finger-numbers.
Level 2
After the students build a foundation of musicality in Level 1, it is time to start learning to read on the Grand Staff in Level 2. This level is an introduction to traditional note-reading. We keep the songs rather simple, so the students can take their first steps in learning a new language – the language of music! Along the way, they will pick up dozens of fun-to-play songs, like this one!
Level 3
After the basics of note-reading are introduced in Level 2, it is time to start getting fancy in Level 3! Students are introduced to hands-together playing with a focus on chords, parallel motion and contrary motion.
Level 4
In this level, students are introduced to slightly more complex rhythm patterns, hand positions, and finger patterns. This book has familiar songs that students will instantly recognize, as well as many authentic classics.
Level 5
Students are ready to expand melodies to a full-octave range, necessitating the mastery of full-octave scales. This is also where students become familiar with traditional primary chords. Our method does not teach scales in an abstract meaningless way. Scales (full-octave melodies) are integrated into the songs so students see their importance (and application) from the very start.
Level 6
Now that students are familiar with primary chords, it is time to start putting the chords into patterns (broken, waltz-pattern, and Alberti-bass pattern). Suddenly, songs have a more detailed and sophisticated sound. This level is also the perfect stepping-stone into intermediate repertoire.
Credit for above level descriptions goes to our piano book series website, thepianoexpress.com.
The fast details
• Open to all students ages 7-18, beginner - late elementary piano levels
• Meets for 55 minutes, with unlimited monthly access to over 50 lesson times per month
• Intimate 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio...enough space for working independently AND receiving 1:1 attention
• Students become highly proficient, well-rounded, and fun-loving musicians as they earn CORE Badges that demonstrate their mastery of piano, music theory, and technical material; as well as QUEST Badges for 4-6 week projects in music history, music technology, arts/sciences integration, composition, and more
• Every student gets the same solid piano, theory, and technical foundation, with plenty of room for customized, interest-driven learning experiences
• Houses the first 6 of 12 levels of the Evergreen Piano Journey
• 2+ studio-wide recitals, with option to perform in regional adjudicated festivals/events for special awards
• Flexible scheduling - pick any open time most convenient for your family's pianists
• Required lesson and theory books to keep are included in tuition
• $137 / month
• Meets for 55 minutes, with unlimited monthly access to over 50 lesson times per month
• Intimate 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio...enough space for working independently AND receiving 1:1 attention
• Students become highly proficient, well-rounded, and fun-loving musicians as they earn CORE Badges that demonstrate their mastery of piano, music theory, and technical material; as well as QUEST Badges for 4-6 week projects in music history, music technology, arts/sciences integration, composition, and more
• Every student gets the same solid piano, theory, and technical foundation, with plenty of room for customized, interest-driven learning experiences
• Houses the first 6 of 12 levels of the Evergreen Piano Journey
• 2+ studio-wide recitals, with option to perform in regional adjudicated festivals/events for special awards
• Flexible scheduling - pick any open time most convenient for your family's pianists
• Required lesson and theory books to keep are included in tuition
• $137 / month
ready to try out foragers?
No obligation to enroll afterward, no payment info needed.