When my family moved to Alpharetta, GA back in 2002, we had no idea that in a few short years, our address would change to Johns Creek, GA. Alpharetta was a well known area and we were happy to have an Alpharetta address.

All that changed a few years back and, suddenly, our house was no longer in Alpharetta. We belonged in a new city district – and a lot of people had no idea what happened. Of course the people in the new city knew what was going on – we voted on city-hood. I am talking about people who live nearby who were not involved in the political process and had no way of knowing that Johns Creek was made up of parts of Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, and Suwanee.

I am writing this blog to make it clear that, even though my address is officially in Johns Creek, I am in what used to be Alpharetta. If you are looking for a piano teacher in Alpharetta, then I am probably convenient for you. Don’t let the Johns Creek address throw you off – this area was Alpharetta for a long, long time before the city of Johns Creek was voted into existence.

Please take a look at the rest of my site – there is a map that shows exactly where I am and how to get to my home from all of the surrounding areas – Norcross, Roswell, Duluth, Alpharetta, Cumming, and Suwanee.

Thanks for visiting!

Help! What Kind of Keyboard Do I Need?

Honestly, having to search through all of the different brands and types of keyboards available on the market today is a big job – even for someone like me who knows what they are looking for! Then, once you have found what you want (or think you want) THEN you have a new trail to blaze on the web to make sure that you are getting the BEST DEAL available. By the time you are done with all of that you are probably ready to go hibernate somewhere for awhile… Whew!

So, I have done all the nasty searching/price comparison work for you so that you can easily decide between just 3 different products. All three happen to be made by Yamaha, and each one listed is sold at the best price I found on the web – AND the shipping is free on any model you choose.

If you are spending your hard-earned money and precious time on piano lessons, then it only makes sense to have something decent to play when you are at home. A plastic floor mat piano or a little kiddie- multi-colored-tiny-keys keyboard it NOT what you want. Period.

The keyboards I recommend all have full size keys (very important) and are touch sensitive (also very important).

Touch sensitive means that you are able to play softly or loudly depending on how light/hard you press on the keys. In other words the volume button is in your fingers. They each also come with a stand – no playing on the floor!

The entry level keyboard has 61 keys, and includes a stand and headphones. It is the Yamaha EZ200.

Most students will do well with this model, and it is easy on the budget.

The mid level keyboard has 76 keys, and includes a stand and headphones. It is the Yamaha DGX 230

Mid-size keyboards are hard to find – this one, however, isn’t just bigger than the entry level product, it is also built to play more like a real piano (called “Graded Soft Touch Action”).

The Yamaha DGX 530 is as close to real piano as you can get (for the price). 88 full size keys, built to play like a “real” piano -Graded Soft Touch Action – and has a very nice furniture-like stand and a pedal.

If you are serious about having something really nice to play that you won’t outgrow – this is it.

And, budget-wise, it is a tremendous value. Old, beat-up real pianos usually cost more than this – and they will never sound as good.

I hope that this post has been helpful in your keyboard purchasing decision. For more detailed information and/or to purchase a keyboard, click here for my online store

So, you would like for your young child to begin taking music lessons, and you feel that group classes would be just perfect. You have found a teacher that you like, the price is right, and you are all ready to go – except for one thing: The class schedule does not fit with your schedule. Bummer!

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to take your child to the class when it is most convenient for you? And do you think that your child might be more excited about having lessons if their friends were in the class, too? I know I would!

I offer one hour beginner classes to groups as small as 3 students, and there are currently many slots open for new classes to start. I am encouraging parents to spread the word about these beginning classes, and to speak to their friends about enrolling their young children. The price is right (less than $19 per hour of instruction and no extra supply fees) and the 8 week commitment is minimal. I am pretty sure that the students will have a great time (and learn all sorts of fun things about music and piano), so if the group wants to sign up for another session, that option will be available.

Please take a look at the Group Piano Lessons page, and if you like what you see, be sure to fill out the Student Application. When I receive your information, I will be sure to contact you.

OK, here is the situation: I am getting many calls from parents who want to know if their child is ready for private piano lessons.

And for every call, I have to honestly say that the only way to find out is to let me do an evaluation, then make a recommendation. Sometimes the answer is a very clear-cut “Absolutely!” or a “Not quite yet …” and for those in the middle I offer a 4 week “let’s see” starter course. If the child is learning and excited about the one-on-one lessons, we move forward. If not, then they belong in the “Not quite yet…” category.

But for the “Not quite yet…” students I always suggest to the parent that group music lessons or music classes would be most beneficial to their child. No pressure (well, let’s hope not!), lots of fun and socialization, AND plenty of learning at the same time.

There are lots of these music classes around. Brick-and-mortar music studios almost always offer group lessons, and many places of worship have these kinds of programs as well. The trick here is, are these classes convenient for you? And are they affordable? Do you have to pay a tuition fee and then a big supply fee on top of that? Or are the classes so economical (and, therefore, popular!) that you have to plan practically a year ahead to even have a shot at a space for your child?

Because I see a need for fantastic and fun group lessons/music classes that fit into YOUR busy weekly schedule – and won’t put a huge dent in your bank account – I have now made them a part of my program.
If you are interested in learning more about group lessons/music classes, click here.