NOTE: Due to the amount of scammers, I no longer reply to text messages from people I don't know. Please CALL me at 813-777-4908. My pricing is fair (it's been the same for years!) and I love what I do :)
I am a traveling teacher. I am available to teach in Carrollwood, Northdale and Citrus Park. At this time I do not teach outside these areas. Initial meeting is FREE. Rates are based on your loc
ation and length of lesson. Minimum lesson is 60 minutes and maximum lesson is 2 hours. For lessons of 1 hour or more, 2 students in the same household may split a lesson. My pricing includes travel time and vehicle expenses. I teach students who want a great teacher AND the convenience of having a professional come to their home. I do not teach out of my home. Call me with your first name, street and Zip code and best number to call if your call goes to voicemail. As a professional, I do not email or text quotes. "Unteaching" bad habits from previous teachers tends to be difficult, but I am a pro at this. As with any service, you get what you pay for! Once we've spoken on the phone, I will set up a mutually agreeable day and time to meet with you for a free initial appointment. Let's see how we click and go over your goals. For younger beginner students we will do a mini-lesson. You will need either a touch-sensitive keyboard with full-size keys, or a tuned piano. I can make recommendations. Books will be recommended and you may purchase them through Amazon.
40 years experience. Ages 4 through senior citizen. I have also written my own music theory book, available for purchase in pdf format. I will wear a mask at your request.
__________________________________________________________________
ABOUT ME:
I attended college for music education. ( I also used to play clarinet and sax--my grandfather used to play in the Big Bands.) I have many years of teaching experience. I've been able to streamline the teaching process to each individual student. Within a couple of lessons I will have figured out your learning style. There is psychology to teaching students and motivation is very important. Fun Fact: I am currently working on obtaining a celebrity licensing deal for a Sinatra-style song I wrote, recorded by a famous pianist (and one of the top arrangers in the world) and vocally recorded as a duet by 2 of my former awesome students.
__________________________________________________________________
WHEN LOOKING TO HIRE A PIANO TEACHER:
1) All teachers are NOT the same! Hire the best teacher you can afford. Hobby or cheap teachers without experience may teach you how to do things the wrong way and develop habits that become difficult to fix. Some teachers can't read music. Some only read music. "Unteaching" students who have learned improperly is difficult. (It's like learning to type with 4 fingers for 20 years and then trying to relearn using all ten fingers...)
2) Unless you are planning to study "only classical" or "only jazz" look for a teacher that is well-rounded and can teach multiple styles. Does the teacher "only" read or does the teacher "only" play by ear? How does this correlate to your goals? Always ask for references.
3) Always meet a prospective teacher first to make sure you are comfortable with them and that they understand your goals. Ask them to do a mini-lesson with you before hiring them.
4) Ask if they teach music theory. I've developed my own system to make complicated things much simpler than I learned in school. I've also written my own music theory book, available in a pdf format.
5) How does the teacher divide up lesson time?
6) A great teacher will assign you both short-term songs (for faster gratification) and long-term songs (to achieve the goal of a more difficult piece.)
7) Ask the prospective teacher what their lesson policy is. A true pro will always have a policy.
__________________________________________________________________
BEFORE YOU HIRE A TEACHER:
1) What is my motivation for learning how to play the piano? (For parents: Has my child expressed a consistent interest in wanting to learn?)
2) Am I committed to learning AND designating appropriate practice time every week?
3) Am I looking to be well-rounded by learning different styles of music, or do I only want to learn one style?
4) Am I willing to purchase a keyboard with full-size keys that is touch-sensitive for lessons? For piano owners: Am I willing to keep my piano tuned and in good condition? For both: due to COVID, please sanitize keys at least once weekly.
5) How long of a lesson should I do each week?
6) Do you come to me or do I come to you?
7) What is your policy regarding lessons?
__________________________________________________________________
TESTIMONIALS:
Reviews
Heather K. My 9 year old loves Ms. Laurie. She has a good way with teaching children and basing a lesson off the child. Finding and allowing Emma to do songs that she likes. We are very happy to have found Ms. Laurie and recommend her. October 04, 2023
Selena R. I used to think I wouldn’t be able to play any instrument, but Laurie’s encouragement and patience allowed me to grow my skills on the piano, from the seed to flower. In a little over two months since my first lesson with her at 8 years old, I was able to play the first movement of Beethoven’s Fur Elise. Not only did she teach me how to read music and play the pieces and songs that I love, she taught me how to teach myself to play them so my ability to learn and play new music was sustained. My last lesson with her was around 5 years ago, and I still utilize the skills she taught me. Highly recommend! November 28, 2022
Stephanie L. Laurie changed the trajectory of my life with her piano lessons. She was my piano teacher in NJ for a few years in childhood, I believe from the age of 4-8 years old, and 20+ years later I still remember and use what she has taught me, and am now a piano teacher and professional musician myself. She knew exactly how to challenge and excite me about playing and practicing piano with her choices of repertoire, and had me engaging with music theory learning and literacy very early on. She was.always kind and warm in lessons, with a striking and loving presence. I absolutely LOVED my lessons with Laurie and was sad when she moved away and couldn’t be my teacher anymore. Years later we have reconnected and remained friends, and she is just as wonderful as ever. It is so amazing to be able to talk about teaching now with your first music teacher. If I could give her more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. She is worth every penny and more! November 11, 2022
Mayumi B. Our family really enjoyed working with her. Two of my children (daughter and son) learned how to play piano from her. She really encouraged their interest in piano, particularly with her patience. You could tell she had a love for teaching piano and she shared that very easily with my children. November 09, 2022
Sarah P. Reliable and patient with all types of kids. November 04, 2022
Amanda M. Laurie was so patient with me when I was taking lessons with her and went out of her way to find music I would enjoy. She knew when to push me and challenge me and when to back off and have a fun day. November 03, 2022
Louis C. Laurie is kind, patient, flexible, willing to meet me where I am (skill-wise), and willing to cater to my interests (song-wise), while providing exercises and pieces that also build skills. She is creative, talented, and a champion for all her students, regardless of skill level. Thank you, Laurie, for shaping me into the pianist I am today! November 01, 2022
Donati
Laurie us a wonderful piano teacher as well as a kind and caring individual. Our daughter started lessons with her when she was 3 years old and stopped years later only because Laurie moved to Florida. Our son also took piano lessons with Laurie. She teaches in a fun and living way that makes it exciting for kids to learn. Our kids loved her and she became part of our family. I would highly
recommend her. October 31, 2022
Julie S. Laurie is awesome, our kids loved her & she even had time for a grown up too! She was flexible, easy to work with, kind, and made learning about music fun! We give her our highest recommendation! October 31, 2022
Josie M. Laurie is caring, understanding, and professional. I have 3 boys with different learning styles and she differentiates her teaching to meet each of their needs. She is fantastic!
