Hello, I'm Claire! When I was young my mom had to force me to practice piano, but my life changed when I was 10 and played Craggy Cliffs Above Dashing Waves. After mastering such an incredible song, I was hooked, and I studied piano through college, 13 years later. I started playing organ when I was 14, and I continue to accompany on piano and organ at church and in the community. Knowing how to play has blessed many lives, mine especially.

I want to share my love for music with others. I want my students to serve, find joy in music, and have an outlet for their feelings, not just for now but in their futures. Too many children drop out of piano lessons because the work required outweighs the love they have for it. It doesn't need to be that way!

My goal isn’t to turn out concert pianists. My goal is to help your child love music and learn the necessary skills to sightread and improvise and compose what is in their hearts, for the rest of their lives!

I have homeschooled my 7 kids for the past 24 years. Several of them have ADHD, and I have become highly adept at working with neuro-divergent kids. I have taught piano for 16 years and played piano for 38 years. I have mentored teens for over a decade. I love the challenge of curating learning for individuals, and can't wait to watch your child bloom!

Students play keyboard geography, theory, and rhythm games, choose music they love, work with me one-on-one, and do personal work at their level. We follow a predictable schedule every class, but the games offer variety from week to week! Groups are multi-age and multi-level, with the older students encouraging the younger, who look up to them. I customize games to all levels, making sure each child is learning and growing. Each class is one hour long.

I use a points system for extra motivation, and have prizes they can buy with their points. Students earn points for practicing, completing pages in their books, and playing games in class.

I have found that when children love their music and have choice in how much to practice, they will do it. I work with each child to set their own practice goals.

$130 per child per month, September - June, for a total of 35 lessons and 2 recitals. I did the math for you, and it comes out to $37.15 per lesson, spaced out in payments over 10 months. The monthly payment is the same, no matter how many lessons are in it. A flat fee makes all of our lives more simple!

There is an annual $35 materials fee per family, due in September. 

In 2025 Washington State passed a law that requires sales tax to be paid on all group lessons. This adds about $12 to the monthly total, which stinks, but there ya go.

Ages 8-17, beginner through late intermediate

I LOVE theory. When theory is taught through games, composition, and improvisation it opens up a new, magical world!

I have a theatre organ in my house. No joke. Once students are comfortable with the piano, I'll teach the basics of organ playing, using pedal risers so even the littlest kids can play with their feet!

I'm a sucker for history, especially music history. We'll frequently listen to fabulous music by incredible composers, and I encourage you to do the same with your family!

Illness

If your child has a productive cough and/or a constant runny nose, please reschedule. If your child has had any flu related symptoms within the last 48 hours, please reschedule. The health of my family and other group members is very important to me!

Makeup lessons

I offer one makeup lesson per month for cancellations made for any reason. If I have to cancel for any reason, I will offer an additional makeup slot. Please let me know as soon as possible if your child(ren) will not be able to attend their scheduled class.

Required books

Students use the Mayron Cole Piano Method books, which are available for free (printing and assembly required) at FreePianoMethod.com, or for purchase (printed and pre-assembled) on Amazon. Each student needs their own book.

Beginning students will use the “Level Pre-One” book. For incoming students with some experience, I will do an assessment on the first day of class and let you know which book to print/purchase.

Students progress at their own pace, and parents will need to buy or assemble the books for them as they move up to the next level.

More advanced students will have other book needs as well, such as repertoire, technique or sight-reading books. I will let parents know when these books need to be purchased.

Payment info

Payment is due on the first of every month, prior to attending class. I prefer Zelle or Venmo, but can also accept cash, check, or PayPal. See contact info for pertinent details.