The Peterson Studio





Bianca Checa is a Summa Cum Laude  graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a B.A. in Classical Piano Performance and Recording and Electronic Music.  At SUNY New Paltz she studied with Dr. Alex Peh and performed in a number of Jazz Ensembles as well as  Collegium Musicum.  More recently she has performed as a member of the Naing Burmese Music Ensemble under instruction from Burmese Master Drummer Kyaw Kyaw Naing.   She is from Miller Place, NY where she studied with Hsuan-Wen Chen.  She has performed in All-County Ensembles and received a Music & Arts Scholarship to study music in college.  Her greatest musical achievement to date was the opportunity to travel around Europe with a symphonic band in a program called American Music Abroad.  

Bianca has been taking piano lessons since she was 6 years old and has always loved sharing what she has learned with others.  She loves working with children and being a part of the transformative process that is learning and playing music.  She began teaching at the Peterson Studio in the Spring of 2018 and is thrilled to be back for another year!




Joel Carpenter is from Adams, NY and graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a BA in Applied Piano and a BS in Business Management.  At Fredonia, he studied with Dr. Anne Kissel and Mary Cobb.  He has been playing piano for 20 years and teaching for 8 years.  Besides teaching and performing at summer camps, he also freelances as a church pianist, accompanying for Stringendo, and sitting in on the Poughkeepsie Jazz Projects Jazz nights.  He loves seeing his students learn and grow and is excited to be returning for another year at The Peterson Studio!



Nathan Bartolotti is from Highland, NY and is a graduate of the Peterson Studio after 6 years of study.  He is presently studying to pursue a degree in Music and Business.  He loves working with children and currently has private piano students at Madeline's Dance Studio, where he also has taught dance for 4 years.  He has been a life long performer of dance and is also an advanced power lifter.  He is very happy to be assisting in group lessons at the Peterson Studio and is honored to join the team of teachers at The Peterson Studio.





Melora Romano serves as the Office Manager of the studio. She has recently relocated to the Highland area, and brings over 10 years of both administrative assistant experience and organizational skills as she owns and operates Your Serene Spaces, a full service home/office organizational business.  She is also an Administrative Assistant at Marshall & Sterling Insurance Company.   She has studied acting and the arts at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and is also a published children’s book author. She has 16 years experience as a Pre-School teacher as well.  She has a love for children and the arts and is excited to be on our team!  If she looks a little like Maria that is because they are sisters!  

ANNUAL PIANO RECITAL

The Recital will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023 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!!!