Mefford Music Studio
Interested in studying piano with a concert pianist?
I was 14 years old when I first realized I was going to be a professional musician. I gave my first solo piano recital, and it was like a switch flipped. Music was amazing. I loved it. I needed it. Not just for me, but for the audience. They needed the joy of music in their lives, and I was the one who could bring it to them. Before that day, every day was a battle with my parents trying to get me to practice. After that day, they never needed to tell me to practice again—I just did it, because I found the joy.
Every lesson I teach, I remember that 14-year-old joy. My goal is to help every student discover that joy for themselves, to find those moments of “YES! THAT’S IT!” during lessons and practice.
I believe in explanation. “Just do it,” and “it’s not right yet” are not part of my vocabulary. I believe it is my job as a teacher not just to say when something is missing, but to say WHAT is missing and how to find it.
I prioritize teaching the complete musician:
-Practice habits: how to make the most of your time and practice mindful, rather than mindless repetition
-How muscle memory, mental memory, and musical memory all inform each other
-How to play painlessly and effortlessly
-How theory, ear training, and technical exercises can be used to unlock a higher level of playing (and NOT just as something we "have to do")
-Self-evaluation: how to listen to ourselves critically and honestly to see how we can improve
-Self-COMPASSION: rejecting the damage of perfectionism, allowing realism and positivity to coexist
I am a Manhattan conservatory-trained concert pianist and a Utah university-trained teacher and pedagogue. I studied the art of playing with the incredible Simone Dinnerstein and the art of teaching from the legendary Dr. Irene Peery-Fox, bringing the best of both worlds for the serious classical piano student. I practice twice as many hours as I teach in a given week, ensuring that I am bringing my students the most up-to-date technical discoveries. I never teach anything to a student that I have not tried and honed myself.
I am the only classical performing pianist/teacher in northwestern Westchester county. My students have gone on to study piano in music schools around the country.
I take students of any age and skill level provided they are serious about classical music study and are committed to daily practice. I do not expect all of my students to become concert pianists, but I expect serious dedication to music and attention to detail.
If you would like to be considered for the Mefford Music Studio, please read my studio policy here and then fill out the following form. I will reach out to you to confirm once your Trial Lesson Form has been completed.
Contact
Representation: David Srebnik, All Art is Personal™
davidmsrebnik@gmail.com
Contact Kessa directly: kessa@mefford.org
Call Mefford Music Studio: 914-810-3145