Dean

5 (6 reviews)

Rate $38
Response 1h
Students
Number of students Dean has taught since their arrival at Superprof
50+
Number of students Dean has taught since their arrival at Superprof

5 (6 reviews)

$38/h

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Piano

Experienced tutor in Piano in Piedmont, Dean offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Piano

Lesson location

- At Dean's house: Piedmont
- online
- at your home or a public place : will travel up to 20 mi. from Piedmont

About Dean

One important service I provide is my students' eligibility to participate in the annual state music exam administered by the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC). This gives valuable structure and goal-setting and is an enjoyable and confidence-building experience for children.

It is said that my special quality is an ability to relate to and communicate with students as individuals, perceiving and responding to each one's unique gifts and challenges. I teach children and adults, beginners to advanced. I have extensive experience working with gifted children, but also have had good success with students of average musical talent. I believe, and my work has continuously showed, that music study is beneficial for virtually every person.

I have a Master of Music degree from The University of Texas at Austin (excellent music school) and have taught for 35 years. I received an Excellence in Teaching award for my music appreciation course at Tulane's University College. See my Yelp page (Dean Curtis piano Oakland CA) for more student/parent reviews.

I can't imagine a more satisfying occupation than teaching music. One gets to hang out with some of the greatest geniuses of humankind over the centuries, sharing their gifts of heart and mind, and to connect with others on this high plane regularly. I'm so thankful I found my way to this profession.

I worked as a teaching assistant during my Master's work at UT Austin and discovered I was an effective communicator.

I hold a master's degree in music theory and composition from The University of Texas at Austin, where I was fortunate to study piano with Stanley Potter and Gregory Allen. I also completed a practicum in choral conducting post-Master's.

About the lesson

I analyze the student's technical needs and observe what kind of communication works or doesn't. I ask questions to determine as clearly as I can what the student wants from the lessons. I balance assigning what the student wants to play with assigning material I know to be essential for learning. Assignments include technique exercises, reading and writing exercises, ear training, and forays into music literature, as well as pieces.

In universities I have taught music theory and class piano to music majors, and music literature and private piano to non-majors. In arts schools I have taught chamber music, piano and theory to high school and middle school students. In my private studio I have taught a wide variety of adults and children, some of whom have pursued careers in music and virtually all of whom have gone on to enjoy music-making and music appreciation.

Meet with the teacher and see whether you have rapport and whether you feel the teacher is more interested in you as a person than in pursuing his/her own agenda. Look at the teacher's training and reviews to determine whether the person is well qualified in the field.

We have occasional performance parties at my house (I teach at home) for the children. They enjoy playing for each other and observing each other's progress over time. These are always fun and satisfying. (And, of course, there are cookies.)

A few things worth thinking about before reaching out
For adult beginners in music: What kind of music do I want to play? What specific pieces do I want to learn? How much time can I devote to practice? Will my practice be consistent, or frequently interrupted? What music is my favorite? Am I open to the teacher's recommendations for practice activities? Will I be patient with myself?

For parents considering a teacher for a child: What music does the child like? Does the child sing? Does the child noodle on the piano at home? Is there any music activity in the school? (A good teacher will discover for him/herself how the child learns best and what sensitivities the child has, but of course any insights the parent can offer will help.)

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

Khoa

Focused, one-on-one instruction is excellent. I have enjoyed working with Dean for over 5 years now and have grown exponentially as a musician.
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K
Khoa
Focused, one-on-one instruction is excellent. I have enjoyed working with Dean for over 5 years now and have grown exponentially as a musician.
Henry

I have been taking lessons from Dean for about a year and a half now and I could not imagine a better piano teacher. Under Dean's tutelage I went from 0 piano playing experience to passing the Certificate of Merit level 3 exam. The lessons are well structured, goal oriented and personally tailored to my piano learning goals. Dean is an encouraging and patient teacher that makes learning piano approachable and fun.
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H
Henry
I have been taking lessons from Dean for about a year and a half now and I could not imagine a better piano teacher. Under Dean's tutelage I went from 0 piano playing experience to passing the Certificate of Merit level 3 exam. The lessons are well structured, goal oriented and personally tailored to my piano learning goals. Dean is an encouraging and patient teacher that makes learning piano approachable and fun.
Hannah

Dean is a fantastic teacher, wonderful and patient with younger kids (we started just after age 6) and very knowledgable. We were gone a year abroad and, although we had another teacher for part of the time away, my kids definitely missed our lessons with Dean were were eager to return to her teaching and style. She's a wonderful balance between musical playing and performance, fun, and music theory/learning. Couldn't be happier.
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H
Hannah
Dean is a fantastic teacher, wonderful and patient with younger kids (we started just after age 6) and very knowledgable. We were gone a year abroad and, although we had another teacher for part of the time away, my kids definitely missed our lessons with Dean were were eager to return to her teaching and style. She's a wonderful balance between musical playing and performance, fun, and music theory/learning. Couldn't be happier.
Despina

I am an older student, and always wanted to play the piano but was apprehensive about taking lessons- after all most embark on this journey at 7 years old.

Dean not only instilled confidence in me, it is such a joy to take lessons from her! She carefully explains the theory but never over explains, she wants to know what pieces I like to play and adapts the lessons accordingly. I feel like she holds me to high standards while being thoughtful and sensitive at the same time. I have been taking lessons with Dean for a year now and have loved every moment.

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D
Despina
I am an older student, and always wanted to play the piano but was apprehensive about taking lessons- after all most embark on this journey at 7 years old.

Dean not only instilled confidence in me, it is such a joy to take lessons from her! She carefully explains the theory but never over explains, she wants to know what pieces I like to play and adapts the lessons accordingly. I feel like she holds me to high standards while being thoughtful and sensitive at the same time. I have been taking lessons with Dean for a year now and have loved every moment.
Elijah

Mrs. Dean is an experienced and kind teacher, I'm lucky to be her student. She will teach you techniques to use while practicing to help master your pieces. A nice and understanding teacher. Loves Bach. Is experienced in classical music.
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E
Elijah
Mrs. Dean is an experienced and kind teacher, I'm lucky to be her student. She will teach you techniques to use while practicing to help master your pieces. A nice and understanding teacher. Loves Bach. Is experienced in classical music.
Hilda

Dean is the best! As someone taking up piano again later in life, she has been so patient and has taught me so much more than previous teachers. Plus she’s just fun to be around. Consider yourself lucky if you get a spot with Dean!
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H
Hilda
Dean is the best! As someone taking up piano again later in life, she has been so patient and has taught me so much more than previous teachers. Plus she’s just fun to be around. Consider yourself lucky if you get a spot with Dean!
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Pack rates

5h: $190
10h: $380

online

$38/h

Details

My fee is $60 per 60-minute lesson. For 30-minute lessons (for young beginners) the fee is $35 (because almost as much preparation is needed as for an hour lesson). Usually by the third year I will recommend the student's expanding the time to 45 minutes, at $45 per lesson.

Experienced tutor in Piano in Piedmont, Dean offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

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Experienced tutor in Piano in Piedmont, Dean offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Dean

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

Details

Other tutors in Piano

Hadley

Clifford

Marshal

Teddy

AMIKAEYLA

Kem

Melissa

David

Anneke

Abbygayle

Vanness

Margaret

Alicia

Kristal

Anna

Bernice

Mary Jo

Jackson

JACQUELINE

Kabir

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