Teaching Philosophy

Soong Piano Studio provides private piano instruction for students of all ages (children to adults) at the beginning and intermediate levels. The goal of Soong Piano Studio is to teach, inspire and encourage students and to enhance their ability to explore their musical creativity and expression in the art form of playing piano.

Background

My full-time career in the biotech industry as a sales and marketing professional in combination with my love for the piano allows me to have a well-rounded and unique approach for teaching students. My distinctive approach for teaching the piano combines both my analytical and creative training to design effective, individualized programs to assist students in achieving their musical goals. I provide one-on-one, private instruction focusing on beginning and intermediate piano lessons for children up to adults. I'm very flexible in accommodating lessons to each student's goals. Therefore, I structure my teaching methodology and lessons entirely with the student's main priorities and needs in mind.

Whether you are a 7 year-old child learning piano for the first time, a sophomore in high school wishing to continue musical studies at an intermediate level or an adult interested in exploring piano as a hobbyist, my main objective is to teach you the fundamentals of music and build upon basic keyboard skills while experiencing how emotionally gratifying it can be to learn to play an instrument. I'm very patient and will encourage you to learn at your own comfort level in order to accomplish lesson goals and succeed with my pedagogical instruction .

Experience

• 2000-2006: Member of PianoTeachers.com
• 1996: University of California at Los Angeles: Musicology Degree, 3.89 GPA
• 1985-1992: Advanced Level Certification, Levels 1-9, Certificate of Merit Program, part of the Music Teacher's Association of California (MTAC)
• 1991: First Place, Division Senior I, Pleasanton Piano Competition
• 20+ years of piano performance experience
• 10+ years piano teaching experience

Location

Soong Piano Studio
1275 Rollins Road, Suite 113
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: 650.339.2176
E-mail: info@soongpianostudio.com
Website: www.soongpianostudio.com

Directions

From San Francisco - Hwy 101
Take 101 South to the Broadway exit. Make an immediate right onto Rollins Road. Soong Piano Studio is located to the immediate left in the orange brick building at 1275.

From San Jose - Hwy 101
Take 101 North to Broadway exit (first right off of the freeway). Veer right and cross over the overpass. Make an immediate right onto Rollins Road. Soong Piano Studio is located to the immediate left in the orange brick building at 1275.

Parking
Parking is available directly in front of the building, but please note there is no parking from 4-6pm, Monday - Saturday on Rollins Road. Additional parking is available 1 block from the studio on N. Carolyn Avenue or Marsten Avenue.

Policy and Fees

Introductory Interview
Please feel free to contact me to arrange for a free, informal, introductory interview. This first meeting will allow for me to assess your needs and expectations as a student as well as for you to evaluate my services as a piano instructor, including comfort level, personalities, lesson expectations, accommodating schedules and specific concerns of teaching various age groups. It allows me to learn about your musical background (if any) and level, and gives us the opportunity to talk in depth about the lesson structure, practice time, fees, policies and any other questions or concerns you may have before starting lessons .

Fees
Lessons are $35/half hour or $65/hour.

Tuition Remittance Schedule
All lessons meet by appointment, usually once a week or once every other week as agreed upon during the introductory interview, payable on the first lesson for the first month. Thereafter, monthly tuition is due at the first lesson of each month and subsequently applied to lessons for the entire month .

Cancellation/Makeup Lesson Policy
Students must notify Soong Piano Studio of a lesson cancellation a minimum of 24 hours prior to lesson time. If at least 24 hours' notice is given, then a makeup lesson will be scheduled at the earliest possible date. If less than 24 hours' notice is given, students will be charged for the scheduled lesson and no makeup lesson will be given. Students are given the opportunity for 4 makeup lessons/year. However, should students exceed the allotted 4 makeup lessons, full charges will be applied for subsequent missed lessons with the additional penalty of not being allowed to schedule makeup lessons. If the instructor cancels a lesson due to unforeseen/special circumstances, students will be reimbursed fully and rescheduled at both parties' earliest convenience .

Holidays
All federal and state holidays will be observed.

Testimonials

It is with tremendous excitement and enthusiasm that I highly recommend Maria Soong as a piano teacher. Maria taught piano to my daughter from age 12 to 14 as well as to my son from age 8 to age 10. Prior to finding Maria, we had other piano teachers who were adequate. However, they were unable to excite the children about music the way Maria did. It was apparent from the start that of all the teachers they had, Maria was by far the favorite. The children practiced more and actually looked forward to their piano lessons. Maria is extraordinarily organized, efficient, punctual and all around buttoned-up. Yet, she is all of those things with an extremely relaxed personal style.
~ Sue Ellen Campos

I so much enjoy my piano lessons with Maria. She is positive and encouraging and does a great job of keeping the material interesting and challenging. I can really see improvement, and I'm having a lot of fun!
~ Kate Carroll

Maria is a wonderful piano teacher. She has been teaching my daughter, Danielle, (12 years old) and son, Dylan (9 years old) for the past two years. Maria paces the lessons to suit the student's personality and progress. She is very patient and pleasant. The kids love learning with her (even if they do not like to practice…) and look forward to their lessons. I highly recommend her to you.
~ Michal Roof

Maria is a great piano teacher, able to play towards a student's strengths and still work on their needs. She is talented, patient, and knowledgeable, everything a piano teacher should be. Maria is dedicated to helping her students become better piano players and have fun in the process because Maria is passionate about the piano and wants to share her passion with others.
~ Edward Pertcheck