I’m Sara, the Piano Teacher Who Makes Playing Piano Simple
“Piano lessons have become more factory-like & impersonal. I’m changing that, one student at a time.”
I get it. I was a beginner at one point too. I know firsthand how it feels to struggle with what note goes to what key on the piano.
I felt hopeless and frustrated that I couldn’t get my hands to do what I wanted them to do. I was overwhelmed by all the things I still had to learn, I wanted to quit so many times.
Since I began piano lessons at age 5, I’ve been learning how to master the piano and pulling apart my own playing so that I can explain things to you in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Helping you realize that you too can play the piano, as too as well helping you avoid the mistakes I made along the way is the reason I own a piano studio.
Takes only 30 seconds
Rated 4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by 279 happy members
I Saw 3 Big Flaws With How Traditional Piano Lessons Were Being Taught
Students Advanced Slower Through Their Books
With 1-on-1 lessons, students got my whole, undivided attention. Sounds great, right?
Wrong! Students learned to depend on me to spoon-feed them answers instead of having time to solve the problem themselves or practice independently.
Because of this, students would go home, try to practice, and feel lost without a teacher there telling them what to do every second. Then, they’d come to their next lesson having made little to no improvement and the cycle would repeat. This was exhausting for them.
Students Had The Same Questions Every Week
“Where do I put my hands?” and “I don’t know what notes to play” became routine statements.
Students were forming habits of depending ENTIRELY on me for information and answers instead of using their own problem-solving skills to navigate a piece of music.
They weren’t fully listening to their own playing because I was constantly over their shoulder listening for them. It was easier to just ask me than to figure it out themselves. My constant attention was a crutch.
Students Felt Anxious and Gave up or Quit
Many of my students would try out a song during a lesson, make a mistake, and then feel like giving up.
Giving up felt easier than attempting a new song because they were forced to play for an audience (ME) during the whole lesson. They had no privacy to take risks, build confidence or make mistakes!
I spent so much time during lessons cheering students on and giving pep talks that I knew something needed to change.
Takes only 30 seconds
Rated 4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by 279 happy members
Here’s How I Fixed It
I completely switched the way I taught piano lessons and my students have been excited ever since.
The way I teach now allows you to feel comfortable behind the piano from day one.
Instead of demanding you go home and learn most of your music on your own…
You’ll learn how to play all of your songs during your lesson. This means you’ll feel more confident when you go home.
The way I teach focuses on supporting you while giving you the freedom to grow, which allows you to work through challenges and advance much faster.
Takes only 30 seconds
Rated 4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by 279 happy members
Who’s Sara Chatalbash?
Here’s the cliff notes version of who I am.
As you can see from my adorable photograph, I’ve been drawn to the piano since I could reach it.
My Grams, who was also a pianist, would sit me on the bench beside her and I’d listen to her play for hours (I miss her playing).
She gifted me her beloved piano (the same one in the picture), and that’s one of the reasons I decided to take piano lessons.
I wanted to be as good as Grams and make her proud. I’m sure many of you can relate.
If you want to know things like…
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how many years I’ve been teaching
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where I went to school
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or where I’ve performed
Scroll down to see a full list of my credentials.
Takes only 30 seconds
Rated 4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by 279 happy members
Just The Facts
Get to know a little more about me.
Professional Facts
• Bachelor's from Crane School of Music
• Playing piano since I was 5
• 4-time Reflections music composition champion
• Teaching piano lessons since 2006
• Performed at Queens College, Carnegie Hall, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Professionally accompanied singers and instrumentalists on studio albums
• Received my MBA degree
Fun Facts
• Favorite ice cream: mint chocolate chip
• Left-handed like Paul McCartney
• Michael Jackson is my favorite artist
• Favorite cereal: Mini Wheats (don't judge)
• Avid baker. Did you say cookies?
• Super good at escape rooms
• Best smell in the world is my mom's sauce
• Favorite piano piece: Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor
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