Third Street Music School’s Piano Department welcomes students of all ages and levels. New students age five and under, or students with prior playing experience, will have the opportunity to meet with the Department Chairperson for placement.

Lessons

With a variety of methods and approaches, Third Street’s extensive Piano program offers training in all musical styles for students of every age and level. Children as young as 2.5 years can enjoy weekly class sessions with friends in Piano Party, and at age 3.5, they can become part of our Suzuki Piano program, which pairs individual lessons with a weekly group class. Traditional lessons are available for students from ages 4 through adult, and are designed to fit individual needs and learning styles.

Classes

Piano Ensemble
Groups of 2 – 4 pianists explore playing with other pianists, develop ensemble skills, explore repertoire and participate in a minimum of three performances per year.  Students are assigned to groups with similar skill levels.

Piano Jazz Improvisation
Students are introduced to the basic elements of jazz theory and improvisation, focusing on chord voicings, jazz scales, swing rhythms, and more.

Harpsichord Class
Intermediate and advanced keyboard players learn how to play the harpsichord — the precursor to the piano used during the Baroque and Renaissance eras — and are introduced to works by Baroque masters such as Handel and Bach.

Piano Party
Our youngest musicians ages 2.5 – 4 are introduced to the piano and general music instruction in rhythm and ear training skills in a group setting. Designed as a prelude to individual Suzuki lessons, Piano Party is a great foundation for instrumental study and prepares students for all piano methods. Students must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Ensembles Available
Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Bands, Rock Bands, Piano Ensemble

Looking for our adult piano programs? 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

The Eda McFarlane Clark Piano Certificate Program
The Eda McFarlane Clark Piano Certificate Program, based on The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program, is a rigorous curriculum that charts student progress through two preparatory stages and ten levels of achievement. Students who participate in the program will have performance opportunities, receive external adjudication, and will be awarded a certificate of achievement at the completion of each level at the year-end Honors Concerts. Those who complete the highest levels will have a well-rounded music education.

This program is free and open to all piano students who take individual instruction at Third Street. Click here to read the guidelines. If you are interested in participating, talk to your teacher or the Piano Department Chairperson, Joan Forsyth. Registration for the 2020-21 Piano Certificate Program takes place online between October 1, 2020 and January 10, 2021.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Piano Olympics
The Piano Olympics are a fun way for students to strengthen skills and gain a sense of accomplishment. Students are divided into teams by skill level and age, and compete for their adopted “countries” with prizes given to all participants. The emphasis is on participation, preparation and team spirit. The Piano Olympics takes place in January and is free to all students enrolled in piano instruction.

Piano Monster Concert
A Piano Monster Concert is for large piano ensembles of up to 16 players who play with a conductor. Piano students of all ages and levels are invited to perform in the Monster Concert on the last Saturday Music Hour in June. Students may sign up for a piece at their sight-reading level.

Suzuki Achievement Day
The Suzuki Achievement Day is a celebration of pieces from Suzuki Books 1 and 2 performed by Third Street Piano students. Following the concert is a
parent forum for an exchange of ideas on practice, sight reading and more.

100 Days of Sight Reading Challenge
This program is designed to motivate and encourage students to develop their note reading skills. It is a free program and all Third Street piano students are invited to participate regardless of their age or level. The students are given a list of suggested repertoire based on their level, however, any materials appropriate for their level can be used. The main goal is to motivate students to practice and develop their music reading skills. Students use a form to keep a record of their practice each day. Registration takes place between October and December.