We make piano fun again
The typical beginning piano student is 8-9 years old. Developmentally, it is not appropriate to have this child sitting on a bench for 30 minutes with an adult pointing at miniscule symbols in a book. Private lessons are typically low energy and fail to provide a stimulating and energetic experience.
In Presto classes, kids learn from and inspire each other all while having a great time. Kids in Presto want to come to lessons.
Group Lessons
Group lessons provide peer interaction and opportunities for games! They also foster a constant feeling of accountability since the pre-adolescent age group generally wants to perform well for their peers. As they progress and develop good practicing habits, it becomes a challenge and a pleasure rather than a chore.
Play - The Pathway to Learning
Research continually indicates that play is the most effective pathway to learning. During play, failure is not a deterrent to trying again, and problem solving takes place through testing and evaluation. Play contains repetition, which is essential to a child’s security. As musical concepts and skills are presented in a playful, joyful setting, children absorb knowledge and ability. All concepts and skills in Presto are carefully couched in play.
We teach much, much more than just piano
In Presto, our students learn music history, classical music, sight singing, ear training and music theory. We are building complete musicians, rather than just pianists, so our students can accompany themselves, sing in harmony, transpose, compose, and excel in any other music endeavor.
We emphasize proper piano technique
Children aged 8 and older have fine motor skills that are ready for playing the piano. Instruction and practice for proper piano playing technique is essential to implement from the very first lesson. Children are taught how to correctly distribute body weight on the bench and how to utilize their weight to play the keys. Proper piano playing is important for the health of finger joints and carpals, and is essential for producing a rich sound with the keys.
We provide high-quality, energetic, content rich lessons.
A typical 30-minute private piano lesson is a low-quality education. 30 minutes is not a sufficient duration for lesson plan writing, teaching and mastering of skills, and evaluating progress. But because Presto lessons are taught in a group setting, teachers can justify the time it takes to learn, study, and present a truly fantastic lesson plan that utilizes an ENTIRE 60 MINUTE lesson! Because all preparation is complete before class and assignments are written and printed, every moment in class is spent teaching. One Presto class contains all the content of four private lessons. Presto teachers don’t waste precious lesson time writing down and going over lessons plans.