Our Teaching Format: Private Piano Lessons
Join Clarkson Piano’s Private Piano Lessons Program
Our private piano lessons are customized to our students’ specific needs. There is no “one size fits all” approach at Clarkson Piano. We start by listening to your needs and learning about your (if an adult student) or child’s preferences, past experiences and future goals. Our lessons are tailored to best fit each student’s unique preferences and needs.
Aside from teaching the World-Class Royal Conservatory of Music Program, we are happy to guide children, teens, and adults interested in more relaxed, leisurely piano lessons.
We use proven, well-known, well-structured methods, such as Bastien, Fletcher, Berlin, Alfred’s, Faber & Faber, and more.
Why PRIVATE Piano Lessons? We have not opted for the profitable group classes in deciding on our teaching format. Instead, we have chosen PRIVATE LESSONS. Only by taking private lessons will a student receive individual attention and a customized lesson plan tailored to the personal rate of progress.
Our Principal Teaching Program: The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Curriculum
For nearly 130 years, The Royal Conservatory of Music has provided an unparalleled music education to millions of individuals from across North America.
Today, the Royal Conservatory of Music is considered the preeminent music education system in many countries worldwide.
The Certificate Program provides a music study system recognized by international music schools, universities, colleges, orchestras and ensembles.
The RCM Program: World-Class System of Structured Music Study and Assessment
RCM Examinations are internationally recognized as a system of evaluation that enables students, teachers and parents to measure a student’s progress within a time-tested framework.
By completing the entire RCM curriculum, students are transformed into mature music professionals, receiving the A.R.C.T. professional designation, ready to master their music education further or pursue music career opportunities. Most importantly, the RCM program develops fantastic skills for the joy of music-making – for a lifetime!
At Clarkson Piano Studio, we encourage our students and parents to get involved with RCM Examinations and experience all the long-term values and benefits of that rewarding process.
Private Piano Lessons Program Options:
Piano Lessons for children beginners: Our Pre-RCM Approach
What is the right age for starting piano lessons?
While RCM Toronto and some other schools offer programs in a group class setting for very young children (age 2 and up), it is widely recognized that age six is an excellent age for starting kids with private piano lessons. Of course, this is only a general guideline, and we are always happy to consider taking even younger students (age 5) into our private piano lessons program.
All beginner students at Clarkson Piano Studio will be paired with carefully selected, custom-appropriate, proven, well-known introductory teaching method book(s). Examples are: ABC of Piano Playing by B. Berlin, Piano Adventures by Faber & Faber, John Thompson’s Teaching Little Fingers and many more.
But most of all, our efforts at this introductory stage are focused on making that first experience with piano study as enjoyable as possible in a considered, fun, and inspiring manner and environment, while nourishing and developing further curiosity and interest in this beautiful world of music created by magical black-and-white keys.
Our preference for beginner piano courses for children is always attached to quality, well-known teaching methods. No “improvising,” no endless photocopies/print-outs. Our young students are paired with a fun, age-appropriate, yet properly structured piano learning beginner method course book that serves as the best possible pre-Conservatory (RCM) teaching guide. Contact us for full details or via pianoteam.ca@gmail.com
We are not just “promoting” the quality RCM Program; we strongly believe in it and have provided our son and daughter, just as we did to numerous students, with the full RCM Piano training. We are proud of our daughter, a child not long ago and a business professional today, who has enviable, quality-of-life-enriching piano skills thanks to the RCM Piano Program at Clarkson Piano. Join us!
Piano Lessons supporting all levels of the RCM Curriculum:
At Clarkson Piano Studio, we teach all levels of The Royal Conservatory of Music Program and prepare students for RCM Exams.
Piano lessons offer numerous musical and non-musical benefits that are applicable to life. At these “digital media” times, piano lessons provide that needed off-screen opportunity, while reminding students to and promoting development of so many skills: coordination, concentration, step-by-step approach and patience to name a few. And what better way to benefit from it than by following the coveted RCM Program!
Our Principal Teaching Program: The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Program
The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto…
is one of the best and most comprehensive music teaching programs that incorporates all that is essential to develop skilled musicianship. Behind the RCM curriculum lies over a century of experience, generations of students, and teams of the finest educators constantly seeking the very best in the musical education field.
As Affiliate Teachers of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, we have specialized in teaching the RCM Program from preparatory to advanced levels since the 1990s.
In simple terms, the Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music program is a true hallmark of the quality of music education, recognized coast to coast and internationally. Most of all, we are convinced that the RCM program is a well-structured, comprehensive teaching program that successfully balances the values of traditional music instruction with the expanded needs of 21st-century students.
Our Studio does not sell music books – however, we highly recommend our long-term colleagues’ and partners’ extraordinary selection of music books available in-store or online at www.remenyi.com
We teach and follow the latest, further modernized Sixth Edition of the iconic RCM Piano Curriculum, supported by fantastic printed materials. Please note that each level, RCM 1- RCM 10, covers the following areas of study: Repertoire, Studies (Etudes), Technical Requirements, Sightreading and Ear Test, and, very notably, corresponding Music Theory.
Behind the current RCM Curriculum are teams of World-Class educators, pedagogy experts, composers, and concert performers, as well as 130+ years of educational expertise and generations of graduates. We are extremely pleased by the integration of the Theory with Celebrate Theory materials, which are now an integral part of the RCM Curriculum. Dr. James Stager and his team are behind this significant effort, which provides support to students from the early stages of music theory study, often referred to as “musical math.”
What is the appropriate private piano lesson length?
Piano teachers are often asked this important question. We find that a 30-minute private piano lesson corresponds well with the attention span and overall comprehensive abilities of children aged six, and can accommodate the needs of beginners of various ages. However, the RCM Program, with its five truly handsomely rewarding areas of study, requires a minimum of 45 minutes to one hour-long private lessons. It is not wise to “skip” any RCM requirements – as each is an integral part of the RCM Examinations: Repertoire, Studies, Technical, Sightreading/ear training and Theory. Please contact us for full details.
For more information on RCM Program and Examinations at Clarkson Piano, please visit: https://pianoteam.ca/about-rcm-program-and-examinations/
Private Piano Lessons for Adults:
Music is forever!
It’s never too late.
Decide on the style of music and your rate of progress: Doing it just for fun and love of it, or should you wish to study the RCM Program and prepare for RCM exams (NO age limit!) – we are here and ready for you!
A piano can be enjoyed throughout life:
Adults and seniors who play the piano or participate in piano study benefit significantly from music’s soothing, stress-relief effect and experience far less loneliness and depression.
The international medical community suggests a strong link between a healthier life and piano participation —from lower blood pressure to better memory skills and an active social life to a better quality of life!
Please visit the link connecting to the PBS article and program: ” When memory misses a beat, music can offer dementia patients new meaning.”
The scientific and medical communities recognize and promote the beneficial effects of piano study and participation in music, which can remarkably help even those with challenging conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
EXPERIENCE CLARKSON PIANO Team:
By joining us, you are starting a journey of discovering the beauty and joy of piano and music-making — a journey like no other! A warm WELCOME from our family to yours!
Playing the piano is a true Gift for a Lifetime!
Your free, complimentary visit* is an opportunity to share our lifelong passion and love for the piano with you. It is also a chance for you to experience our teaching environment, learn about our goals and teaching philosophy, and help us decide together on the best teaching program that fits your needs!
*subject to availability
Contact us: pianoteam.ca@gmail.com
Last but NOT least – Our Family Piano Studio’s Instruments:
We are proud to offer our students instruments that are rare even in most prestigious educational environments: Concert-quality Steinway & Sons. Grand Piano Model B and “the future of piano”, a very new (July 2025) Yamaha TransAcoustic platform integrated into the iconic Yamaha U1 Professional upright piano.
The Newest Arrival: The latest Generation YAMAHA TransAcoustic Upright Piano U1TA3PE
Concert/Recording Quality, Second Largest Steinway & Sons Grand Piano, Model B
