About the Studio
All students attend weekly 50-60 minute sessions, either combination lesson/lab sessions OR Piano Club group classes.
Individualized Piano Instruction
Students work one-on-one with Mrs. Troutner in the weekly 40-minute private lesson to learn piano technique, music reading, practice strategies, and musical interpretation. Engaging music and a variety of games make learning fun!
Lessons are offered to students of all ages and skill levels, from five-year-old beginners to advanced adults.
Beginning students in K5 & 1st grade may participate in 60-minute Piano Pals partner lessons (2 students) instead of private lessons. Learning with a friend motivates young students and makes lessons extra fun!
All lessons are given on a 5'3" professional-quality Yamaha C1 grand piano.
Lab Sessions
The studio multi-media lab provides an enjoyable way to learn music theory and history as well as to drill musicianship skills. Featuring a large variety of music software programs, DVDs, and CDs, the lab curriculum is tailored to each student's age, ability, and interests. Often students complete theory units, but sometimes they use the technology to compose music of their own, learn about composers, watch inspiring performances, play from fake books, improvise to a recorded accompaniment, or record one of their piano pieces.
Required for all students registered in private lessons, the weekly lab session is scheduled immediately before or after each student's weekly lesson time. K5-3rd grade students in private lessons have 10-minute labs; 4th-12th grade students and adults have 20-minute labs. (Piano Pals partner lesson students sometimes have lab activities, but these are always included in the regular 60-minute class time.)
The lab is equipped with a Kawai CA1000 digital piano, a computer, and an iPad (for mouse-free music-learning games!)
Piano Club
Once a month, all students meet in small groups instead of in their private lessons. (Groupings are based on the students' skill levels and ages.) Students learn from each other as they explore music history and composition, play theory games, rehearse ensembles, and perform. Piano Club meets the first week of each month.
Students also enjoy fun EXTRAS!
Recitals
Students share special pieces publicly twice a year, at the Community Christmas Recital and at the annual Spring Piano Recital.
Recording Sessions
Throughout the year, each student records favorite pieces to be compiled into a special keepsake CD in May. Also, the studio Christmas CD, a collection of everyone's special Christmas repertoire, comes out just in time to be enjoyed with family for the holidays.
Piano Festival & Other Performance Opportunities
Students perform a private audition yearly for a qualified, experienced piano judge to gain performance experience, encouragement, and helpful feedback. In addition, students may participate in a variety of concerts and contests sponsored by the Gwinnett County Music Teachers' Association and the Georgia Music Teachers' Association.
Field Trips
Each year we schedule one special trip, often to a professional concert, to broaden the students' musical education.
Yearly Themes
Exploring a musical theme throughout the year in our classes and labs helps each student to grow musically.
Points & Prizes
As they complete musical goals throughout the year, students earn Mu$ic Money that they can spend on a variety of fun prizes available in the studio store.
Piano Explorer Magazine
All students in 2nd-8th grade are part of the studio's group subscription to Piano Explorer, a full-color, 16-page monthly magazine (10 issues each year.)
MusicLearningCommunity.com
All students receive a subscription to MusicLearningCommunity.com, where they can play fun music theory and ear-training games to strengthen their skills. Students can login to MLC.com and play wherever they have a computer equipped with internet access and sound.
Check out Frequently Asked Questions for even more information about Troutner Piano Studio.
To learn more, schedule a free interview.
If you are interested in lessons, contact Mrs. Melody Troutner at (404)561-3511 or by e-mail to set up a free interview.
