“Elena is very patient at listening to me playing, picking up my weaknesses and showing me how to correct those weak points by practicing in a smart way. ” –Chau, age 62

I am an adult taking piano lessons with Elena. An adult usually gives up early because it takes so much time to practice without getting much results. But I stay on because Elena is very patient at listening to me playing, picking up my weaknesses and showing me how to correct those weak points by practicing in a smart way.  When I see that I can make progress by following her methods, I get encouraged and enjoy playing the songs correctly.  Elena is a very effective piano teacher for adults and kids alike, she also is very, very patient, very organized, and never gets frustrated.
–Chau

“[Elena] is just as talented, caring, kind, and helpful as her reputation suggested.” –Alyssa, age 19

I took an unusual path to learning the piano. I decided to start taking lessons when I was nineteen, during the last six months before I left for college. Both of my parents had grown up hating their piano teachers and their methods, so I was wary of ending up in the same situation. Turns out my fears were completely unnecessary!

I found Elena through the Bay Area Gifted Homeschoolers yahoo group, where she has many glowing reviews. In real life, she is just as talented, caring, kind, and helpful as her reputation suggested. She worked with me from the very beginning of my lessons to make sure that I achieved all I wanted to during the six months we worked together, and checked up with me along the way, so that I ended up advancing much farther than I ever thought I could in such a short period of time.

Starting with piano iPad apps and my choice of beginning theory books, Elena got me playing and sight-reading within the first few weeks of our lessons. After a few months of lessons, we had built an amazing repertoire of songs that I absolutely loved to play. The 100-day practice challenges kept me accountable for practicing every day (and worked!), and I loved recording my repertoire on the Greene Music Center’s huge concert grand piano.

I am sad to have to bid Elena goodbye now that I am moving across the country, but she has inspired me to keep playing as much as I can, and left me with a big stack of pieces to learn in the future. I can’t wait. 🙂

Thanks, Elena!
–Alyssa

“Elena frequently goes beyond simply teaching piano. It’s clear she cares about me, both as a person and as a student.” –Lan-Chi, age 18

Elena has been my piano teacher for nine years. Out of every single extracurricular activity I started when I was 7, I have slowly cut out every single one, except for my weekly piano lessons. Managing to turn a child from one that dreaded attending lessons (with a previous teacher) to one that gravitates toward any piano in any room is an impressive feat, and I very much commend Elena for such.

The journey was not linear at all–there were many years I struggled to motivate myself to do anything, much less practice–but Elena stuck with me the entire time. I never felt as if I was being pressured to play. I played because I wanted to, and because Elena had instilled in me a love of music and piano that I thought would never be possible.

Elena frequently goes beyond simply teaching piano. It’s clear that she cares about me, both as a person and as a student. She gives me meaningful advice on how to practice in a way that would be effective for me, and has supported me even beyond piano lessons, helping me through some of the most difficult periods of my life. Even during the days I struggled to play at all, she was incredibly understanding and patient.

Years ago, for me, music was for late night, exhausting practice sessions, and seemingly endless competitions. I couldn’t comprehend the idea of playing because I wanted to. If you magically teleported to the much younger version of myself and told her “You will adore playing the piano when you’re older,” I would have looked at you in complete bewilderment. And yet, it happened. I can’t thank Elena more, for her patience and understanding, for her kindness and care, and for her genuine love for music and teaching music.

–Lan-Chi, now 18 years old

It’s the best lessons I’ve ever had!  I wish I had piano lessons every day!  I love that I got to pick my favorite song to learn, “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen.

–Piano Student, age 5

I like my piano lessons and my favorite part is writing my own song, “Anna and Carly.”  Ms. Elena is a very nice teacher.  I love the Dozen a Day piano exercises because they’re fun and easy.  My other favorite part is getting stickers and prizes!  My favorite prize is everything! 

–Piano Student, age 7

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Ms. Elena teaches students of all ages and levels, from adults and children who are complete beginners and those who are looking to advance their skills, to students who are looking to pick up playing again.  To inquire about lessons, availability and current tuition rates, please submit an inquiry below.  Thank you for visiting!

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Parent Testimonials