Piano Lessons

MY METHODOLOGY

“Teaching means to use experience and expertise to help students develop and enrich their very own personalities and artistry”  –Leonid Sintsev – (URSS music competition winner, former piano pedagogue at Saint Petersburg Conservatory, founder of the Rubinstein Piano Foundation and my professor and mentor)

I’m a professional pianist with over 20 years’ experience teaching children and adults. I hold three advanced conservatory degrees — Piano Performance, Chamber Music, and Music Theory — and bring a solid academic background to every lesson. My goal is to provide an enthusiastic, creative and enjoyable environment for all kinds of people:

• Young musicians who want to develop their talent and professionalism.

• Children whose parents simply want to introduce them to music in a fun, structured way.

• Adults who want to sit at the piano, play a relaxing melody and keep their joy of music alive.

Maria Teresa Piano Studio was first developed in Carmel, IN, and in 2018 I established it in San Diego, CA, where I taught more than 200 students over the years, maintaining an active studio of around 50 students annually.

My methodology depends on your individuality. I believe each student is unique, so lessons are always tailored to the student’s interests and abilities. In general, my approach is a carefully balanced combination of joyful music making and solid discipline, drawing on the traditional Russian and UK piano pedagogies. This foundation covers posture, technique, tone, expression, and musical understanding right from the very first lesson.

Unlike methods that focus on learning to play by imitation without learning to read music, my students develop strong reading skills early on. I consider the ability to read music an essential tool that empowers students to learn on their own, maintain their enjoyment, and continue playing even after lessons have stopped.

Another area I emphasize is performance experience. I believe it builds confidence and motivation that extends beyond music into many areas of life. That’s why I give my students the chance to perform at least two recitals a year.

ABRSM Exams

The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Music Exams are a series of internationally recognised assessments designed to evaluate and validate the musical abilities and achievements of musicians. These are, in my experience, the most widely taken music exams taken across the globe -offered in over 90 countries with more than 600.000 candidates annually.

ABRSM offers a progression of levels from Pre-Grade and Grades 1-8 through to post-grade diplomas. Students may begin at any grade that matches their level -there is no requirement to start from Grade 1. However, in order to take Grades 6,7 or 8 in Piano, candidates must first pass Grade 5 in Music Theory.

I am proud to offer expert ABRSM preparation as part of my piano curriculum, helping students earn internationally respected qualifications in music.

🎓 Recent Student Achievements:

• In 2023, five of my students earned Merit in Grades 1 to 4, and two students achieved Distinction in Grade 8 Piano.

• In 2024 and 2025, additional students achieved Merit in the ARSM Diploma in Music Performance—a remarkable accomplishment at the post-grade level.

Whether your goal is structured progress, college preparation, or international certification, I guide each student through a tailored approach to confidently pursue these musical milestones.

STUDIO RATES

Monthly Tuition

Students are required to commit to at least one lesson per week (4-5 lessons per month).

-30min: $180/month

-45 min: $235/month

-1h: $310 / month

Packages and discounts available! Please ask me.

*Packages available for families with 2 or more children taking piano lessons and/or students who want more than one lesson per week.

*Discounts available for Seniors (Age 60+).

*Free initial consultation/lesson for potential students

 

STUDIO CALENDAR (2024-25)

Maria Teresa Studio will remain closed the following dates:

-Thanksgiving break: 11/27/24- 12/01/24

-Winter break: 12/23/24- 01/05/25

-Spring break: 03/31/25 – 04/06/25

-Summer break: 07/01/25 – 08/14/25*

There are no make-up lessons for holidays.

*July payment is only required if you sign up for online lessons.

STUDIO CALENDAR (2025-26)

Maria Teresa Studio will remain closed the following dates:

-Thanksgiving break: 11/25/25- 11/29/25

-Winter break: 12/23/25- 01/02/26

-Spring break: 03/31/26 – 04/05/26

There are no make-up lessons for holidays.

Recital Days 2022-23:

-10/15/2022: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -10:30 am-

-03/11/2023: Advanced Piano Students Recital at Steinway Hall -11 am-

-05/23/2023: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -10:30 am-

2024:

-01/13/2024: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -10:00 am-

-03/30/2024: Advanced Piano Students Recital at Steinway Hall -11am-

-12/14/2024: Students Piano Recital at Steinway Hall -2:30pm-

-12/20/2024: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -5:00Pm-

2025:

-04/19/2025: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -10am-

-12/20/2025: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -12pm-

2026:

-05/16/2026: Students Piano Recital at Greene Music Hall -12pm-

STUDIO POLICY

• Tuition shall be paid one month in advance on the 1st of each month.
• Students are required to commit to at least one lesson per week (4-5 lessons per month)
• One makeup lesson is allowed during each session for excused absence only -illness and emergency- when available in the schedule. (Sessions are January -March, April-June, and August – December). Makeup lessons do not roll over to the next session. All other reasons for canceling are considered unexcused absences, and the lesson will be forfeited with no makeup if you miss for other reasons. Fees will not be adjusted for missed lessons.
• If the teacher is sick or has a conflict with a scheduled lesson, you will be offered appropriate options to make up for the missed lesson or you would get a refund if that’s not possible.
• Please do not bring sick children to the studio. If your child is too sick to attend school, your child is too sick for a piano lesson. Out of respect for your teacher and the other families who take piano lessons.
• Students are requested to have their own method books and other supplements, which can be supplied by the teacher and paid for by the student. (Method books and piano pieces will be assigned on an individual basis.)
• Student’s participation in concerts, recitals, competitions and other events is strongly encouraged but not required. There is a $30 off-premises performance fee for each student.
• For children under 7 years old, parents are required to be present on the premises at all times.
• Lessons are available in English and Spanish.
• Lessons are held at the San Marcos studio (92069) and online.

VERIFIED REVIEWS OF MARIA TERESA STUDIO: