Piano Lessons in Pleasanton, CA

Lesson Inquiry

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Our Approach

At New World Music Academy, anyone can learn to play the piano 

We believe every student is unique and different in their own way. Therefore, why should lessons be any different? Each piano lesson is tailored to the individual student’s specific interests and needs.

While focusing on foundational elements such as proper technique, reading music, finger position etc., our teachers also help students learn songs they are familiar with. This includes movie theme music, popular songs on the radio, their favorite classical artist etc. This helps keep students motivated and pushing further to learn each week.

Young student playing the piano

Our Approach to Piano Lessons

Piano Lessons Should Be Fun!

We know that an interest in piano may be what first brings you into our school – but having fun is what keeps you coming back! Our goal is for every student to LOVE their music lessons as they embark on a rewarding journey of progress and discovery. We put the “fun” in fundamentals!

Our knowledgeable staff blends a high standard of music education with a creative, student-focused approach that gives students space to discover and nurture their passion for music and the piano. Whether it’s your first time at the keys or you’re a seasoned pianist, our teachers are ready to help you progress quickly toward your goals – while having fun along the way.

We Emphasize Healthy Technique

Healthy technique is critical to lifelong enjoyment of the piano. Our first priority is teaching strong fundamentals, including hand, wrist and arm technique, bench position, and pedaling. We believe that full-body instruction is essential to musicianship and safeguards students from injury.

Once the fundamentals are in place, you and your teacher can craft the story you want your music to tell. Our qualified teachers will assist you in developing musicianship and exploring nuance through dynamics, pausing, phrasing, and varying tempos. Learn with us as we infuse elements of music theory and music history into our well-rounded approach to fostering musical excellence.

We Care About Your Musical Interests

There is no one-size-fits-all method of piano instruction. Regardless of ability or prior experience, our teachers take an individualized approach to each of our students – underpinned by detailed individual assessments, a personalized learning plan, and one-on-one guidance throughout your musical journey.

While fundamentals and technique are essential, our ultimate goal is to equip students to begin exploring their own personal musical style and interests. Your teacher will work with you to understand where you want to go, and craft a unique plan to get you there. Whether your style is classical or pop (or anything in between), we help students excel in their craft while encouraging the occasional step outside the comfort zone to try something new.

Our PianoTeachers

Our piano teachers in Pleasanton and the East Bay are highly qualified experts dedicated to providing top-notch musical education to our students.

John R Burr

John R Burr

Jazz Piano, Jazz Theory & Songwriting

John R Burr (jazz piano and songwriting) is a musician with uncommonly broad range of musical interests and experiences. He is equally at home with traditional jazz as well as pop, bluegrass, blues or rock and has been recently nominated for a Grammy Award. He has performed and recorded with such artists as Robben Ford […]

Markus Pawlik

Markus Pawlik

Piano & Chamber Music

Pianist and NWMA Artistic Director, MARKUS PAWLIK is best characterized as one of the rare pianists of today who manage to combine sensitivity and expressiveness together with a phenomenal virtuoso technique. Born in Bremen in 1966, his talent was recognized at an early age as he began performing publicly at 7 and was the three-time […]

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson

Piano & Chamber Music

Having begun piano studies at the age of 5, pianist and Executive Director of New World Music Academy Mark Anderson is widely recognized as one of the world’s outstanding classical pianists. In the United States, his formative teachers were Trula Whelan and Aiko Onishi while in the UK they were Ryszard Bakst and Benjamin Kaplan […]

Anna Logiman

Anna Logiman

Piano & Keyboard Theory

Anna Logiman was first introduced to piano at age 5 by her mother, an avid pianist. She continued to learn piano under her mother until she was 10 in which she developed a lifelong passion of music. From age 10 till high school, Anna learned piano exclusively under a Japanese piano master in Jakarta, Indonesia. […]

Lisa Braz

Lisa Braz

Piano & Keyboard Theory

Lisa Braz has taught piano privately, prior to joining New World Music Academy. She has studied music at Las Positas College, Berkeley Jazz School, Hayward State Jazz Program and San Francisco State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts from SFSU. Lisa studied classical piano with Richard Gough and while at SFSU studied with William […]

Chelsea Kim

Chelsea Kim

Piano & Keyboard Theory

Graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chelsea Kim is a trained classical pianist. A long-time student of virtuoso Eugene Masluk in Livermore, CA, Chelsea completed the Certificate of Merit Level 10 with honors. She then went on to the Panel Level, also placing as a NorCal Division Top Tier Nominee. After being admitted […]

Jacob Lane

Jacob Lane

Piano & Keyboard Theory

Jacob Lane is a composer, pianist, and teacher who lives in Oakland, California. He is the pianist for the chamber groups Sleight Ensemble and Portato Portato. A member of The Music Teachers’ Association of California, Jacob teaches piano performance and music theory at The Alameda School of Music and New World Music Academy. Jacob holds […]

Kiki Lieow

Kiki Lieow

Piano & Keyboard Theory

Kiki Lieow, or Ms. Kiki as her students know her, has over 40 years of teaching experience and has participated in numerous piano teaching workshops and piano pedagogy symposiums. She supports the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), a UK-based program for music students that promotes high standards of excellence in music […]

Calhoun O’Loughlin

Calhoun O’Loughlin

Piano, Drums, Flute, & Clarinet

My name is Calhoun O’Loughlin and I am an elementary music teacher that teaches general music at Fairlands Elementary School and I also co-teach the 5th grade band to all nine of the elementary schools in the Pleasanton Unified School District. I have been playing instruments since I was 8 years old and my father, […]

Jeremiah Trujillo

Jeremiah Trujillo

Piano, Voice

Jeremiah Trujillo is an active collaborative pianist, vocal coach, piano teacher, soloist, and historical musicologist. He holds a Ph.D. in Music from the University of California, Davis. He is the staff collaborative pianist for the Music and Theater Arts departments at Las Positas College[…]

Shannon Hoffman

Shannon Hoffman

Voice, Piano

Shannon loves to share her passion and skills in music with her students! She began piano lessons at age 8 and earned a B.A. and M.A. in Voice at Whitman College and Cal State East Bay. Shannon has had the opportunity to perform in musical theater, opera, and churches in the Bay Area and in […]

Kathrine Waters

Kathrine Waters

Voice & Piano (Beginner / Intermediate)

Kathrine Waters is a performing vocal teacher with extensive experience in small and group instruction in voice and piano, as well as private lessons. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from San Francisco State University […]

“New World Music Academy has a professional and kind staff, with a wide range of lesson times that work with kids/parents schedules. ”

— Felicia

“This is a best place for kids to learn music. Jacob is such a great teacher and very patient. Both of my girls took lessons with him for many years until they now moving into college. Thank you so much to Jacob and Lindsey!”

— Michelle

“Great newsletter – love the highlights and the tips of the trade (e.g. on buying your first guitar). Keep them coming!”

— Mark

“We LOVE Mike! He is so patient with Lorne and inspired him to love music – he’s interested now in drums but also piano and guitar! Thank you!”

— Leslie

We Offer Simple Pricing to Fit Your Schedule & Budget

Weekly

30 min

$45

per lesson

Great for building a strong foundation.

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Weekly

45 min

$66

per lesson

Fit for both beginners & intermediate students.

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Weekly

60 min

$85

per lesson

Perfect for intermediate or advanced musicians.

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What you can expect

Tell us about your musical goals.

Match with one of our expert instructors.

Play music! Parents get progress reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What Age Should My Child Start Piano Lessons?

The minimum age we recommend a student start piano lessons is 5 years old. Starting age will largely depend on the student when it comes to piano or keyboard. So, some students may need to wait longer than others to start. Contact us and we can help determine if your child is ready to start!

Why Take Piano Lessons at New World Music Academy?

We provide teachers who instruct on a variety of styles from classical to popular music. Whether you want to learn Bach or Alicia Keys, our teachers are happy to help you become the pianist you want to be. Our piano faculty will show you the fundamentals of sight reading, technique and theory, but they will also incorporate your favorite songs into your lessons. You do not have to have a piano at home to take lessons. A simple electronic keyboard with a minimum of 61 keys will suffice for the first 6 months. Our piano teachers have warm personalities and enjoy sharing their love for the piano.

Our Piano Teachers

All of the teachers are professionally trained and experts in their field. Our piano faculty have received their musical education from such prestigious institutions all over the country.

Do I Have to Know How to Read Music?

No. Beginners are welcome! Our lesson plans aim to educate, engage and inspire students.

Do I Need a Piano to Start Taking Lessons?

No. You do not need a piano to start piano lessons, however, we do recommend having a digital piano keyboard in your home to practice between lessons. Also, keyboards are much more economical and require less commitment upfront when it comes to ongoing maintenance and moving costs.

So, What Are You Waiting for?

If you’re ready to jump into the world of keyboarding, we are excited to match you with a teacher that can get you started on your musical journey. 

Nothing will enable you to progress more effectively than a one-on-one partnership with an inspiring piano professional. 

Let us help you explore and build your abilities in a setting that is comfortable for you. You never know how far you can go until you take that first step, so get started today!

What Will I Learn in Piano Lessons?

Our piano teachers understand that every student is an individual, with personal musical needs and goals. We make it a priority to tailor how we teach and what we teach to your individual needs.

If you enroll here for piano lessons, your teacher will ask you about your favorite type of music, and set goals to help accomplish whatever musical aspirations you have for yourself or your child. Together, you will develop a plan to achieve your goals! We love beginners, so even if you don’t know where to begin, we can help!


Start your musical journey today

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