Arroyo PIano Studio

I offer three different services: private lessons in piano, accompaniment for performances and recitals, and performance coaching for musicians.

To learn more, click on any of the three icons below! 

PIANO LESSONS

ACCOMPANIMENT

COACHING

It is today widely known that learning a musical instrument is a beneficial pursuit for virtually anyone at any stage in their life. Research has shown music to improve memory and learning abilities, cognitive skills, attention and focus, coordination, discipline, and organizational skills.  

This has further proven to facilitate academic excellence in anyone who is in their formative years. In fact, learning music is crucial for healthy brain development and has been proven to improve creativity, divergent thinking and problem solving. Just like swimming is great for our entire body, this could be considered the ultimate brain workout. 

Further more, a frequent space for self-expression is crucial for our emotional balance and well-being and can be an invaluable ally in stressful times. 

And perhaps most of all, working artistically can help us recognize and bring beauty to the world in our own unique way.

As with any path towards excellence, it requires diligence and commitment. Ready to embark? 

PIANO LESSONS

TEACHING CHILDREN

While I am a gentle and patient teacher, I will always push my students to evolve and exceed their supposed limitations.  My philosophy is to build a relationship with my students based on trust, support and joy.  In that way I can help them progress quickly. Throughout the course of my 30-plus years of teaching, I’ve come to understand that learning though pleasure is simply more effective and long-lasting.

I tailor the curriculum to the individual needs of each student so they can have the richest and most efficient learning experience. In addition to instructing in classical music form, I also have experience teaching in many other genres, including pop/songwriter styles as well as reading chord symbols and lead sheets. 

I work closely with parents, especially those with younger students.  It is important that parents and I are unified in order to create a supportive environment at home, so that young students can establish healthy productive practice patterns. 

TEACHING ADULTS

Whether refining and furthering existing skills or just beginning to learn an instrument they’d always dreamed of playing, I have tremendous respect for adults who devote time to studying piano. 

I value their time and understand that adult responsibilities can come before practicing regularly, so I make the lessons very efficient -- learning songs and practicing together.  As a result, when my students are left alone between lessons, they are prepared and able to experience the joy of playing.

Enrollment Options and Policies

• Full Semester Enrollment *

All students are required to commit to one semester (spring or fall) of lessons.

Students attend lessons weekly with a maximum of 3 cancellations per semester without charge.

Rescheduling is possible but limited to 3 per semester.

Payment is due on first of each month prior to lessons.

Lessons occur weekly in 30, 45 or 60 minute durations as determined by student, guardian and Arroyo Piano Studio.

• Eight-lesson package

For adults who would like to refresh their piano skills and a full semester is not necessary

Lessons take place weekly.

Payments to be made in two installments

For New Students:

Prior to the first lesson, an appointment will be scheduled to meet and discuss student’s interest, goals and needs. A weekly time slot will be reserved when the agreement is reached.  Two trial lessons can be reserved upon request.

In order to progress in music, regular attendance and daily practice is necessary. Parents involvement in younger student's lessons and homework is crucial to their success.

* Studio will have breaks during Winter Holidays and Summer Holidays, specific dates TBD each year.

Cancellation

If a lesson is cancelled for any reason, Arroyo Piano Studio must be notified 24-hours in advance to arrange a possible make-up lesson. In the absence of 24-hour notice, student will be charged the full amount of the lesson, and a make-up lesson will not be an option. Emergencies do arise, and some exceptions can be made within reason at the discretion of Arroyo Piano Studio.

CURRICULUM CONTENT

Predominantly, lessons are about working toward fluency in the language of music ~ to be naturally expressive and to convey thought and feeling through sound. My goal is to provide students with a solid foundation which will allow them to reach their fullest potential at the piano, whether or not they are pursuing a career in music. To that end, all facets of technique are covered in the curriculum, including:
 

Physical Technique: This is what gives a musician physical freedom to manipulate the instrument and includes elements such as flexibility, balance, agility, coordination, stamina and tone production,

Aesthetic Control: These are elements that make music pleasing to the ear, such as phrasing, tonal balance, rhythm, emphasis, and dynamics.. This is very closely tied to and overlapped with physical technique.

Theory: This is the understanding of how music works and how it has evolved over time. This is essential, not only for effective learning and memorization, but most important, like an opera singer understanding what they are singing about, for stylistic interpretation and presentation. It includes the study of chords, scales, intervals, structure and musical form.

Performance: This is the ultimate goal of music ~ to play before an audience with confidence and precision. The studio holds regular recitals in addition to other performance opportunities.

Sight-Reading: Vital to being a fast learner and competent musician, this is the ability to fluently play unfamiliar music from the score.

ACCOMPANIMENT

Great accompaniment is essential for a successful performance. 

In addition to setting and holding tempo, a great accompanist nourishes the performance by interacting musically in a supportive manner and consistently brings the appropriate movement and energy that the piece and its interpretation demands.
The soloist always has primacy, and the accompanists role is to frame and accentuate their character and stylistic qualities.

My goal as an accompanist is first and foremost to offer the soloist a complete sense of comfort, freedom and confidence, as well as a consistent sense of security, so that regardless of what happens throughout the performance, they are always supported and held musically.

          In preparing the piece for performance, we will work toward a mutually agreed-upon interpretation informed by the analysis of melody, harmony, rhythm, form and historical period. The goal of this is to arrive at a unified execution of the piece that offers the highest possible aesthetic experience for the listener, as well as honor and accentuate the unique personality of the soloist.  

As a teacher of music history for many years, I am extensively knowledgeable on the subject and have a number ways to provide helpful context as we strive toward an interpretation that is period-correct and stylistically accurate.

Because practicing within the comfort and privacy of a known rehearsal space differs immensely from performing before an often unknown audience, I have multiple techniques at my disposal to ensure that our transition to any live environment is not only smooth and successful but enjoyable for the soloist.

PERFORMANCE COACHING

After teaching performance and practicing techniques in schools for over 15 years, I have decided to include this knowledge in a separate private course. Here I work with children as well as adults who would like to maximize their performance skills, do their best on stage, and learn how to work efficiently up to a performance. Singers and instrumentalist playing any style of music are welcome.

The 3-5 lesson course is designed to effectively prepare for auditions, concerts and exams, working with the three main aspects of performance: mental, physical and emotional. 

What else is covered:

• How to reduce performance anxiety and stage fright

• Practicing towards and preparing for a performance

• Stage presentation and body language

• Memorization techniques

• In-depth interpretative study of the material, relating to style, form, phrasing and expression

The optimal course timeframe is 3 to 5 lessons, about a month or longer leading up to the performance/concert. Students will be given assignments between sessions.

GOLDEN HINDEMITH

"As with most Hindemith chamber music, the piano parts here are extremely demanding; they lead the way, establishing the character of each piece. Elizabeta Nawrocka’s playing is brilliantly dynamic, just what the music needs."
                       – arkivmusic.com

Recorded 13 June 2004, Jar Church, 1 December 2006, 16 June 2007 RIS Church, 22 October 2005, 4 July 2007, Sofienberg Church, Oslo, Norway
                                                               LAWO CLASSICS LWC 1005

PRELUDE #6 IN D MINOR, BWV 851,
from The Well Tempered Clavier, J.S. Bach

Recorded at Ella Studios, Los Angeles – Nov 2016

FUGUE #6 IN D MINOR, BWV 851,
from The Well Tempered Clavier, J.S. Bach

Recorded at Ella Studios, Los Angeles – Nov 2016

ÉTUDE DE VIRTUOSITÉ, OP. 72, #6 IN F MAJOR
Moritz Moszkowski (c1903)

Recorded at Ella Studios, Los Angeles – Nov 2016

DANZA DO LA MOZA DONOSA
from Danzas Argentinas, Alberto E. Ginastera (1937)

Recorded at Ella Studios, Los Angeles – Nov 2016