Piano lessons

Lessons shaped around steady growth, confidence, and musical joy.

Rene Johnson with school-age piano students

School-Age Lessons

Weekly private lessons for school-age students, with 30-minute lessons for ages 8 and under, plus 45- and 60-minute options. Students also participate in class lessons, recitals, and NVMTA events throughout the year, including 3-5 class lessons and 2-3 recitals.

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School-Age Study

Weekly lessons are supported by group learning, festivals, and recitals.

School-age students meet weekly with Rene for instruction on all aspects of music. They are grouped by age and ability for class lessons 3-5 times each year and perform in two to three recitals annually.

Private Lessons

What students work on each week

Piano lessons cover all aspects of learning to play the piano. Students develop a practical foundation while learning music that helps them grow technically, creatively, and expressively.

Read music from the very start

Build rhythm skills

Review technique and theory through weekly assignments

Practice sight-reading at every lesson

Improvise using sight-reading, technique, and theory skills

Learn music from all eras

Explore collaboration and composition

Prepare for upcoming performances and festivals

Class Lessons

Class lessons give students a chance to make friends, share music, play games, practice performing for a friendly audience, learn music history, prepare for theory exams, listen to professional recordings, and build skills that support their private study.

Classes are formed with age and ability in mind and meet on Saturday afternoons 3-5 times during the school year.

Recitals

Students in Rene’s studio participate in two to three recitals each year. All students are expected to participate.

Fall

Late October or early November for all private lesson students, usually with one contemporary and one historical memorized piece.

Winter

For students participating in Bach/Baroque Festival/Competition or preparing music by Bach or another Baroque composer.

Spring

Late spring recital for all private lesson students with varied repertoire.

Festivals

NVMTA events help students prepare, perform, and grow.

Fall Festival (optional) emphasizes Contemporary music. I usually register the top 10 best prepared students for this event.

Theory Mastery Day has graded tests up to level 12. These are provided from VMTA and required for all of my students except for primer level.

Bach/Baroque Festival/Competition is for music by Bach or other composers who lived from 1600-1750. This is an option usually after at least three years of piano study and by invitation.

Composition Contests One of the NVMTA Composition contest winners is chosen each year to have their piece orchestrated by the McLean Symphony. There are also some $$ prizes. I also encourage students to participate in the PTA Reflections Contest.

Sonata Festival is sponsored by NVMTA and is held in the Spring. I usually register the top 10 best prepared students for this event. (optional)