Jenni started studying classical piano at the age of 5. She won her first major competition at the age of 7, which led to her first orchestral performance as soloist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra at the age of 8. Since then, she has been a prizewinner at the state, regional, and international levels, and has performed in front of audiences as serious as the House of Representatives in Washington DC, to the rocking-out likes of The Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

 

She traded in her days of competing and performing to study film scoring, in which she received her BM from Berklee College of Music in 2001. After graduating, she became a piano teacher, giving private lessons to 40 students weekly for 2 years.

 

 

Jenni was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and spent her childhood years there, and in Japan, Florida, and Texas. She attributes her curiosity, open mind, and patience to having lived in such diverse places. When not wrapped up in music, Jenni enjoys traveling, learning the tango, and playing tennis in Prospect Park - a short jaunt from her home in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

1) You or your child to learn how to play the piano in a warm, friendly, and encouraging environment. Patience, on both our parts, is key to an enjoyable learning experience.

 

2) To cover these topics during lessons:

   - learning to read music    

   - sight-reading                  

   - duet playing                  

   - ear training

   - proper technique

   - how to practice

   - repertoire

 

RATES:

$50 / 45 minute lesson

$60 / 60 minute lesson

 

FIRST LESSON IS FREE!  

 

Costs of music books not included. We will discuss what you will need, but materials could include lesson books (based upon your level), sheet music, and theory workbooks. These can be purchased online or via a local music shop.

 

Payment will be monthly, due at the first lesson of each month.  Students can start taking lessons anytime during the month, as rates will be pro-rated. There will be no refunds.

 

Sweet for piano?  That’s great - I have a sweet tooth too!

 

Learning to play the piano is a truly rewarding, challenging, and enriching experience - one that can be learned by anyone, young or old. I have taught students as young as 5, to those “too cool” high school seniors, and even those how-do-you-find-the-time-to-learn-the-piano moms and dads!  

 

From the ages of 5 through 22, I studied piano performance very intensely. It wasn’t a part of my life. It was my life. It was a demanding, sacrificing, and ultimately rewarding experience. Over those 17 years, I had good teachers...But most memorably, I had a couple of really awesome teachers. The one quality that my favorite teachers had in common - their ability to make me feel good about myself through learning. The confidence they instilled in me is something I am thankful for to this day.

 

My ultimate goal is for my students to have a truly enriching, challenging and rewarding musical experience – one that they can appreciate not only in the present, but also build upon in the future. I will teach you, whether a total beginner or more advanced student, to play the piano in a way that will spark your imagination, inspire your dreams, and push your thinking cap and physical dexterity to new limits. All the while, having a fun and sweet time!

 

 

Jenni has scored music for various projects, including animated films which have won awards in film festivals worldwide. Her past musical experiences are continually paving the way for new ones – she is a former member and arranger in groups like off-beat accordion band The Main Squeeze Orchestra and pop band Baby Pool. Jenni continues to write and record her own original music.

POLICIES:

All lessons will be taught in your own home.. Though I prefer the student to learn on a piano, it is acceptable to learn on a keyboard.  

 

Cancellations:

If the student is unable to attend a lesson, you must notify me 24 hours prior to the lesson in order to have it rescheduled. Only 1 cancellation per 2 month period will be made up. All other missed lessons will not be allowed a make-up. Missed lessons due to my absence will always either be made up or credited towards a future lesson.  

3) To learn classical repertoire and technique...AND other genres if you’re interested - jazz, pop, rock, ragtime, etc. Though the majority of my studies focused on classical repertoire, I have also studied jazz and Latin, and have performed in pop/rock bands. Many of my former students learned to play in different styles, and I think that’s great.. Discovering what styles inspire you most makes for more fun!

 

4) Me to expect you to practice. As with most things in life - the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. Even if your schedule only allows as little as 15 minutes a day, twice a week - that is something. Every lesson, I will help you manage your practice schedule to prepare for the next lesson.