The Peterson Studio

WUNDERKEYS PIANO FOR PRESCHOOL 

The Wunderkeys program was developed to provide one-on-one piano lessons for children ages 3 - 4 years old and combines beginning piano skills with a foundation in math, creating connections that facilitate mathematical understanding in the future and a love of music! Through a play based program, children will explore sounds, patterning and rhythm while sharpening spatial awareness. Wunderkeys students have a seamless transition into traditional private lessons! New Wunderkeys preschool students will receive the first lesson free!

TRADITIONAL PRIVATE LESSONS IN VIOLIN AND PIANO

Traditional 30 minute lessons are offered to children in Kindergarten/1st grade, adults, and special needs students. Forty-five and sixty-minute lessons are available at the discretion of the teacher. New students receive the first lesson free!


COMPREHENSIVE GROUP PIANO LESSONS
The Comprehensive Group Lesson is a 60 minute class for grades 2 and up. All skill levels are welcome. This class combines traditional private lessons with supervised practice time essential in building skills necessary for more effective, motivated practice at home. Students younger than 2nd grade are accepted by invitation only. New students receive the first lesson free!

 

ADVANCED PRIVATE LESSONS

This is an invitation-only program open to students who are working on intermediate-advanced level repertoire AND whom have demonstrated that they are practicing consistently at home and will be prepared at each lesson.  A minimum of 45 minutes is required to study privately at this level.  This will allow for adequate time to explore advanced repertoire, technique and other keyboard skills such as scales, arpeggios, broken chords and chord cadences.  Students at this level are encouraged to enter competitions and festivals as well as participating in master classes and attending outside concerts.  Any studio fees that are required to enter these events will be included in the cost of the lesson.  Individual student fees are not included.


MUSIC APPRECIATON CLASS 

This one hour class explores all aspects of music, including rhythm, note reading, ear training, keyboard harmony, sight singing, history, composition and ensemble playing that is piano-oriented and taught in a relaxed, game-based group setting.  


PERFORMANCES

A Recital takes place every Spring. To accommodate our large studio, 5 or more performance times are scheduled.  Learning to perform is an integral part of learning an instrument.  All students are encouraged to participate, however, it is not mandatory.  The Recitals will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Chapel at The Mount Academy in Esopus.    There are ALWAYS other opportunities for students to perform as well!  Please inquire if you are interested!!! 


VALLEY VISTA NURSING HOME

The studio has a special arrangement with Valley Vista Assisted Living Home that allows students to play piano for residents and earn community service credits.  If your student would like to participate, please contact the Home at 691-7400 at least one week in advance to set up a day and time.  In addition, from time to time the studio will perform as a group at the home as well, usually around the holidays.  
 

SUNY NEW PALTZ INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Peterson Studio has partnered with the Music Department at SUNY New Paltz to offer internship opportunities to music students majoring in piano.  The interns assist the teachers and work under their guidance and direction.  This is a wonderful opportunity for both the interns and the students!


FESTIVALS AND AUDITIONS

Each year the studio participates in the National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions as well as the NYSMTA Auditions/Competition (by invitation only).  The studio participates in the NYSSMA festival by request only.   The website is updated each year by May 1 with information on these programs.  Fees for these events are invoiced separately from tuition.


MASTERCLASS

Offered each year prior to the annual Recital, this class provides students with an opportunity to play on a Steinway Grand Piano for their peers.  Positive peer critiquing is utilized to help improve our skills as performers.  When possible, the classes are held during the same day/time as the students' regular lesson.





ANNUAL PIANO RECITAL

The Recital will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Chapel at the Mount Academy in Esopus.  Learning to perform is an integral part of learning an instrument.  All students are encouraged to participate, however, it is not mandatory.  The recital is free and open to the public.


SUMMER PIANO SESSION

The Peterson Studio offers a six week session throughout the summer.  A minimum of two lessons per summer is required for continuity in practice and to hold open your spot for Fall.   Schedules are posted in the Spring.  Group class is 1 hour and Private Class is 1/2  hour. 



TESTIMONIALS:


LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PETERSON STUDIO!


"Maria has an amazing reputation and is highly skilled in instructional piano.  She is one in a million."...Alison G.


"I wasn't sure my children would be interested in lessons, however, it turns out that they love going!  I'm so happy we found The Peterson Studio!"...Assunta N.


"I wondered if my daughter would stick with piano lessons and like it or if she would be deterred from music, however, at The Peterson Studio, everyone is encouraging and loving.  My daughter has grown so much from her two years of lessons.".....Robin S.


"We chose The Peterson Studio first because of proximity to our home, but once we started talking to friends, it came highly recommended by everyone."....Danielle B.


"As a 6 year old , our son needs to work with a teacher who is interested in teaching young students.  The Peterson Studio welcomes students of all ages and has a robust youth program.  The trial lesson was a great, no-pressure way for me to get a feel for how he would do at the Studio.".....Jackie G.


"I wondered if my kids would have a hard time learning and give up, but they love working with Miss Maria and she makes it fun and easy yet pushes them to learn.".....Dan M.


”Liam’s enthusiasm after his lesson with Bianca  today brought me to tears.  I haven’t seen that in him with anything for a while.”.........Karen A.


”Just want to say thank you to Bianca for all she does for Alessia.  She is a wonderful teacher and we are blessed to have her in our lives!”......Jess C.


”I didn’t know how it was going to go....but after seeing one lesson with Joel I think it’s amazing!  Kieran was focused the entire time!”........Crista B.


”Asher’s favorite after school activity lately is piano lessons at The Peterson Studio.  Joel is doing a fantastic job.  He’s so patient and makes piano fun!  I highly recommend him!”........Casey H.



MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP CLASS 

This one hour class explores all aspects of music, including rhythm, note reading, ear training, keyboard harmony, sight singing, history, composition and ensemble playing in a relaxed, game-based group setting.  Perfect for the home-schooled student who has flexibility in their schedule and a desire to enhance special-area content. 



WUNDERKEYS PRESCHOOL PIANO PROGRAM

The Peterson Studio proudly offers the WunderKeys Piano for Preschool program. WunderKeys was developed to provide one-on-one piano lessons to children ages 3-4, and combines beginning piano skills with a foundation in math; creating connections that facilitate mathematical understanding in the future and a love of the arts!  Please call the studio to sign up!  
 


THE NATIONAL GUILD OF PIANO TEACHERS ANNUAL AUDITIONS

The Piano Guild is a division of the American College of Musicians, founded in 1929.  Their goal is to encourage and establish goals for students studying piano.  These goals give students direction and provide a measurement of progress.  Students prepare a pre-determined number of solo pieces with corresponding technical elements and perform them for a Guild-appointed judge who evaluates their performance.  Upon successful completion of the audition, a report card is provided for each student along with a pin designating their level and category.   The 2024 Piano Guild will be held at the Lutheran Redeemer Church in New Paltz  - dates/times TBA.    For more information on the Guild please contact the studio, or visit their website at www.pianoguild.com. 



BEST OF THE HUDSON VALLEY (VOTING IS CLOSED AT THIS TIME)


THE PETERSON STUDIO would love your support in the following categories:


Instrument Classes for Kids

Instrumental Classes


The website link to vote is:    https://bestof.hvmag.com/


You may vote as many times as you want provided you use a different email each time.  You will have to log out and log in again with a new email address each time you vote.  Please feel free to share with friends and families!

For INSTRUMENT CLASSES FOR KIDS:

Click on the "KIDS" Category

Select "Instrument Classes for Kids"

You must enter "The Peterson Studio - Highland" 


For INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES:

Click on "ARTS AND LEISURE" Category

Select "Instrumental Classes"

You must enter "The Peterson Studio - Highland"

THANK YOU!!!