We offer lessons starting as young as 5 through adult. Piano is always recommended as the first step of anyone who is interested in music. Here's our top 8 reasons why Piano is a great first step:
1. easy to physically play
You press one of the notes, it makes a sound. Very straight forward and this ease of use promotes exploration, and minimizes fatigue or frustration when learning a new instrument
2. LEARNING TO READ MUSIC
The piano is a great instrument to help students learn to read music. They way the piano keys are laid out mimics the way musical notation is written. Students immediately begin to see the relationships of melodies, harmonies, and pitch as it's written on the staff. And because the piano is simple to play they can focus more on reading the notes, than worrying about technique to get a good sound.
3. Sense of Pitch
A piano that is in tune will always play the right pitch when you play the right note. Wind and string instruments require good breath control or finger placement to get the right pitch which can be challenging for a beginner.
4. tuning and maintenance
Most pianos only need tuning once or twice a year. Digital pianos are never need to be tuned. This makes maintenance almost non existent so you can focus on learning and enjoying the instrument.
5. wide range of pitch
The piano notes cover a range larger than any other instrument in the orchestra or band. This means that students learn to read in both Bass and Treble clef. Many students starting on piano go on to play other instruments later on, and learning to read both clefs prepares them for playing the low instruments like Trombone, or high instruments like Flute.
6. Melody and accompaniment
When beginning piano you start with simple melodies with one hand. You soon progress into more complete works where you introduce chords as well as melody playing at the same time.
7. Dynamic Range
The piano can be very quiet and sensitive, and well as loud and powerful. This dynamic range helps students ability to add dimensions of expression to their playing. Because of this dynamic range, it can accompany vocalists, or gentle instruments, but is also powerful enough to command a strong solo performance.
8. A great foundation
Many of the musical fundamentals learned in piano are applicable to all musical instruments. This foundation always prepares students for a lifetime of different musical experiences, whether on piano or on an array of instruments.
PIANO TEACHERS
Jessica Cowan has a classical background in voice and piano. Amongst many of her academic musical achievements of studying piano and vocal performance at Rhode Island, she has taught all ages for over a decade and currently is also the pianist at a local church in Georgetown, TX. In addition, she enjoys teaching music theory and encourages the creativity of original composition.
Jay Gonzalez is a former middle and high school choir director from Taylor ISD. He has taught private voice lessons and is excited to begin his journey being a private piano lesson teacher as well.
Jay graduated from Texas State University with a B.A. in Music Education. At Texas State, he was a part of the Texas State Opera program and was the bass section leader in the Texas State University Singers; Jay also participated in the Texas State Men’s Choir, and Heart of Texas Barbershop Choir. Jay is very excited to teach others and to bring the joy that comes with creating music. He is very patient and creates a safe learning environment that will push the student to become a better musician.
Victoria Hammill is a professional performing artist, musician, and songwriter, who is gifted with the natural ability to teach students of all ages, including those with special needs.
With a rich experience in the arts, music, and sciences, Victoria reaches students of all ages. She honors all cultures and teaches with joy and enthusiasm. With a genuine desire to foster and inspire the growth of every individual, private instruction is tailored to fit each student’s goals and passion. From August 2011 to present, Victoria has taught 150+ students, ages ranging from 4 yrs. of age to adult.
Learning piano and guitar and taking formal classical violin and orchestral study and voice through the highly regarded public school music program of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and studying voice at the University of Wisconsin in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Music program, she has performed professionally for more than 24 years at Nashville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; and regionally in Texas and Wisconsin.
With mastery of multiple instruments – acoustic violin, viola, piano, and guitar – as a professional performing artist, her niche is voice and electric violin blues / rock / jazz / fusion.
Zac Paz comes to Round Rock Music from the entertainment capitol of the world — Las Vegas, Nevada. He studied jazz trumpet and music education at the University of Nevada, Reno. With 13 years of experience on Trumpet and Piano, Zac has played in ensembles of all sizes including Nevada All State Band, Nevada Wind Ensemble, Reno Jazz Orchestra, and the Wolf Pack Marching Band. He is excited to share his love of music with the Austin/Round Rock area.
Originally from Brazil, Leo Miller moved to the United States when he was 12 years old and started playing the piano when he was 15. Leo graduated from the University of South Florida, majoring in Music and English Literature, where he gained experience performing and teaching the piano.
Having now played for 20 years, Leo is passionate about the vast amount of music that has been written for the piano. Leo aims to apply his passion and experience to helping students become the musicians they want to be.
Matt Slack has over 27 years of experience playing, practicing, and performing. Matt started piano lessons as a child and continued for 17 years. Around middle school he joined the concert band as a percussionist as well as local community orchestras. Matt studied Percussion Performance at BYU, and as an adult has recorded numerous albums, toured both nationally and internationally, written and recorded music for artists as well as commercial music for Native Instruments, Ableton, BYU, Bad Panda Games, EA Sports: NBA 2K16, and a Super Bowl ad that aired in 2017.
Matt currently is a percussionist for the Cinematic Symphony, as well as educator and adjudicator throughout RRISD. As a former teacher at Round Rock Music from 2015-2016, Matt got to know many of the students and culture of RRM and took ownership of the school in April of 2017.
Jay Gonzalez:
Bio coming soon!
Jewlina Matthews:
Bio coming soon!