Welcome!

Donovan Piano Studio strives to offer the best
instruction in piano technique, repertoire,
music history, theory instruction and
competitive performing for each student.

I offer private music instruction in Piano, Keyboard, Music for Little Mozarts, Specialty Classses, and a Summer Session. Please see About the Studio for more information. I would love to hear from you!

News & Events

  • American Guild Piano Auditions: The dates have been set for May 23rd – 26th. I will not know our exact audition times and days until after I send in the entries. Please remember to send in your payments before Feb 25th so we can get the days that we want. I sent home a letter last week with the audition fees listed. Please let me know if you did NOT receive the letter.

    Good luck to all of you who are taking part in the auditions this year. It is a very big commitment of time and perseverance. Be sure that you are practicing ALL your guild songs daily along with the scales and cadences. Remember that all pieces have to be memorized. Be sure to play your guild list for your family often!

  • The Amazing Musical Race!: The students are racing around the globe doing activities at each stop and learning different musical skills along the way. Please think ahead to choose your next city at home and email it to me so I can have what you need ready at your next lesson. All students who finish all 18 cities before the recital in June will be awarded a trophy at the awards ceremony.

  • Special note to parents: We have a very busy recital season coming up. You can help ensure your child’s success by doing the following things:

    1. Be sure that students arrive on time for their lesson with clean nails cut short & with all the materials necessary for their lesson.
    2. Encourage the student to read over the instructions in the notebook daily.
    3. Daily practice is a must! Better progress is made by short daily practice than by one or two longer practices during the week. Make out practice charts & post them where the whole family can encourage the student to practice.
    4. Provide a quiet, comfortable practice space for your student with a working instrument and good lighting.
    5. Ask to hear the music being performed for guild & for the recital. All you need to do is to encourage, encourage, encourage! Set up family & friends performances.

  • Special note to students: Counting out loud is a good tool to use not only when you are fixing incorrect rhythms but also periodically throughout the week just to check and make sure the rhythm is properly in place. Counting aloud is so beneficial because:

    1. Your body is engaged as you speak the counts
    2. Your ears are also engaged as they hear the counts you are saying
    3. Your brain is doubly engaged as it manages both speaking and hearing the counts.

    Never underestimate the power of counting aloud! Try it and reap the benefits!

Weather Cancellation Policy

  • Generally, the studio is open even if school is cancelled. You will be informed by telephone and email if I cancel classes because of weather conditions. Please call or email if you will NOT be attending classes.