Welcome! I have taught piano to both children and adults for twenty years.

I believe that every student learns differently and that joy is the most powerful motivator. My role is to tap into each student’s personal connection to music.

Music has always been a joyful part of my life, and I would love to share that joy with you or your child.

¡Bienvenida! He enseñado piano para niños y adultos durante veinte años. Creo que cada estudiante aprende de manera diferente y que la alegría es el motivador más poderoso . Mi papel es el de aprovechar la conexión personal de cada estudiante de música.

Para ponerse en contacto conmigo para una lección introductoria gratuita, por favor llame al 510.610.1012 o haga clic aquí : CONTACTO

I offer a free trial lesson, which includes a meet-and-greet, a brief lesson, a review of my policies and procedures, and ample opportunity for the client to ask questions.

During the trial lesson, I ask the student about his or her musical preferences, learning style, and so forth.

Most important, over time, I collaborate closely with each student to customize my teaching style to that student's unique needs.

Michael simply couldn’t get the hang of reading music. So I taught him by ear instead, and every month or so I casually suggested, “Let’s give the reading another try and see how it feels this time.”

And then it happened: that developmental “aha!” when reading the music fell magically into place. I’ll never forget Michael’s delight when he exclaimed, “It’s like the notes just jumped inside of me!” And from that moment on there was no stopping him!

Michael illustrates my teaching style, because I don't subscribe to any one philosophy except this:

Every student learns differently, and joy is the most powerful motivator. My role is to tap into each student’s personal connection to music.

As a piano teacher, classical music is my primary focus. I also introduce students to jazz, boogie, ragtime, and other styles.

As a child I took private piano lessons for many years and attended Lighthouse Arts and Music Camp and the National Music Camp at Interlochen. As an adult, I studied with concert pianist Marcantonio Barone of the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music and renowned pianist Susan Starr.

I honed my performance ability in the private lessons, but it was at the music camps, particularly Lighthouse, where I came to treasure the power of music to deepen community and to ignite joy.

My goal is to nurture both a high standard of musicianship and a richer experience of music’s possibilities.

As a Vocal Coach, I teach students to improve their pitch, timing, note-reading, musicianship, repertoire, and expressiveness.

Please note that I do not teach vocal technique, and that I work primarily with beginning students.

My passion as a teacher is to help people develop enough confidence in their singing to overcome any self-consciousness they feel and to sing simply for the sheer pleasure of singing.

I have always loved to sing, and have performed with both classical and world music ensembles. I established a Women's Chorus at my college and co-founded a rounds-singing group in the San Francisco Bay Area named "The Loose Canons."

“I took piano lessons as a kid only because my parents made me. Now I wish I had kept it up.”

“I always wanted to take piano lessons, but I’m too old now….”

If either of these sentiments feels familiar, you’re far from alone. But it’s not too late!

• Lee, a 55-year-old beginner, played the Christmas carols for his family’s Christmas party


• 45-year-old beginner Elizabeth played duets with her teenage daughter

Without exception, my adult students have relished the opportunity to rekindle the pleasure that learning and growing can bring regardless of age.

If you live in a Senior Community, I am happy to teach you in your home. No driving, no hassle… I will come to you!

"Lisa Rhode is a rare find. You can see that she truly enjoys watching her students flourish. When she teaches, she shines."

"We looked long and hard to find Lisa. It was a critical point in my teenage daughter's piano-playing experience; she was ready to give up on piano. Lisa absolutely rekindled her interest. Before studying with Lisa, my daughter had to be forced to practice, at times with tears. Now she plays many times a day, simply for the joy of playing.”

"Lisa is an inspired piano teacher. Not only does she have a deep knowledge of classical music, but her sensitive style of teaching inspired a life-long love of music in our child. We couldn't recommend her more highly."

“I am a 52 year old first grade piano student. My piano lesson is one of the high points of my week. Lisa seems to know exactly how to get me to do more than I could ever achieve on my own. Thank you, Lisa!”

“love Love LOVE LISA!! I am a lefty in her 50's that has taken lessons all my life and never quite "got it"- after a season with Lisa and her spatial lessons I am almost fluent in the songs I chose!! If you are looking for fun or to become fluent in your playing- Lisa is for you!!”

“In my late 40s, I bought a piano, determined not to have it be just a pretty piece of furniture. And then I found Lisa, Piano Teacher extraordinaire. She is great! Patient. Talented. Interesting. Would let me play what I wanted to play. I highly highly recommend taking lessons from Lisa.”

"Lisa teaches technique, nuance, and music history, and it's all pure joy.

"I have never looked forward to going to any other type of lesson in my life as I do these."

"Lisa is compassionate, intelligent, talented, and motivating; her style of teaching promotes the student's sense of accomplishment. Lisa is wonderful, and I'm proud to call her my friend."

I host special events on a quarterly basis: Fall, Winter, and Summer Cabarets and a Spring Piano Party.

The Cabarets provide students only (not parents!) the opportunity to gather in a casual setting, perform music for and with each other, play musical games, and snack on a bagel-and-cream cheese lunch

The Spring Piano Party is a concert where students perform for an audience of family and friends followed by a cake-and-ice-cream party!

Since most of the students have already performed in at least one Cabaret prior to the Spring Piano Party, the concert is much less nerve-wracking and much more fun than the traditional "recital."

January - June 2016

Please note: No lessons on school snow days

* Must request at least one week in advance

AGE MINIMUM

• I accept students ages eight and older; younger children typically are not developmentally ready to read music and are better suited to teaching methods that rely on ear training

BOOKS AND MATERIALS

• I stock all necessary books and materials; students reimburse me for each item provided, plus $2 for shipping and handling costs

• I require the necessary reimbursement by the following week’s lesson

CABARETS

• I host seasonal Cabarets three Sunday mornings per year, in the fall, winter, and summer

• The Cabarets provide students only (not parents!) the opportunity to gather in a casual setting, perform music for and with each other, play musical games, and snack on a bagel-and-cream cheese lunch


• Cabarets are an exceptionally unique opportunity: the casual setting helps students gain comfort performing, and the games enhance students’ overall musical knowledge

• I charge $10 per student for each Cabaret in order to defray costs

CANCELLATIONS

• I require 24-hour notice of cancellations

• Please note, however, that in the event of illness, students are encouraged to cancel, even on short notice


• Lessons cancelled due to illness may be rescheduled or credited, per the client’s preference

• I require that cancelled lessons be made up within one month of the cancellation

• I guarantee specific lesson slots only to clients who pay in full within one week of receiving their invoice or by special arrangement

CD LIBRARY

• I maintain a CD library; students may check out a CD for up to a month, unless another students requests the same CD sooner

• I charge a $20 replacement fee for CDs not returned within one month or within two weeks of another student’s request

• Never underestimate the power of "background music!" Exposure to music, even casually, makes a world of difference in how well a student plays

• Please make it a habit to play music whenever possible-- during dinner, in the car, while getting ready for bed; and keep listening to the same music until you find yourself humming along!

COMMUNICATION

• Email
  

  Email is checked frequently and is by far the preferred method of communication; response time is generally within 24 hours

  
  

• Texts
  

  Texts are for urgent or time-sensitive matters only

• Phone
  

  Voicemails are checked after 9pm only

FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

• I remain open on all federal holidays

PAYMENTS

• Payments are due the first of each month via Paypal

• Payments overdue by more than a week incur a late fee of $5 per day

• I cannot continue to guarantee a lesson slot if a payment is two weeks overdue

REFERRALS

• I offer clients a free 30-minute lesson for every referral that results in a free trial lesson

RESOURCE LIST

• I maintain a list of resources for piano tuners, movers, and other private music teachers; please feel free to contribute your recommendations at any time

SNOW DAYS

• I will be closed on all school snow days

SPRING PIANO PARTY

• I host an annual Spring Piano Party: Students perform for their families in a festive recital followed by cake, ice cream, and other delicious party food and favors!

• I charge $15 per student for the Spring Piano Party in order to defray costs