 Nanae Wolf
started studying piano at the age of five.
She also began studying vocal music when she
was 14. She entered Osaka College of Music
where she studied vocal music with Atsuko
Ueki and piano with Sachiko Yanabu, whose
teachers included Leonid Kreutzer. Nanae
Wolf graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
vocal music and a minor in piano. She later
studied organ with Parley Belnap and Richard
Elliott (current Principal Organist for the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir) as a graduate
student at Brigham Young University. While
at BYU, she received performance awards and
scholarships. Nanae Wolf also performed solo
recitals on the Tabernacle Organ in Salt
Lake City. She graduated from the BYU School
of Music with a master’s degree in
Performance/Pedagogy of Organ. She has also
studied organ with Robert Bates and piano
with Richard Cionco. Nanae Wolf served as an
organist in Sacramento for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many
years. She also performs as a vocal soloist
for church services, recitals, and concerts.
Nanae Wolf has been teaching piano, solfege,
music theory, and ear training in Japan and
in the U.S. for total of 25 years.
Piano lessons
I provide private one-on-one lessons
customized for each student. Each individual
comes from a unique background with a
different potential. I observe each student
very carefully and do my best to help
him/her improve their skills in playing
piano, reading, and understanding music.
Private piano lessons are more effective
than group piano lessons because a teacher
can focus on just one student without any
disruptions during each lesson. Also a
student's problems are diagnosed more
quickly compared to group lessons where they
are often overlooked. By taking private
lessons from a good teacher, a student can
develop good posture, longer attention on
music, and eventually a larger repertoire in
piano music than by taking group lessons.
Each student is required to practice their
assigned music at home on a daily basis.
 Piano lesson schedule
Piano lessons are provided on a weekly
basis. The length of individual lessons are
30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 60 minutes
customized to each student's level of piano
playing.
Solfege
Solfege is a singing exercise done by saying
note names. I use both Italian note names
(do, re, mi, etc.) and English alphabet (a,
b, c, etc.) for solfege. Solfege is not well
known in the U.S. but is widely taught for
music learners of various instruments in
European and Asian countries. By practicing
solfege exercises, a student is able to
grasp the concept of pitches which allows
him/her to read music better while playing
the piano. Once a student gets used to
studying piano with me, I introduce the
basic level of solfege and take 5 to 10
minutes during every piano lesson to teach
solfege.
Music Theory Class
I teach music theory and ear training in
music theory class, which consists of 3 or
more students. This class is equivalent to
cross-training for an athlete. By studying
music theory and ear training, students
establish a deeper understanding of music
and skillfully interpret piano music, which
helps them learn piano quicker and expand
their repertoire of music.
Music theory
Music theory is important element of music.
During piano lessons, I often teach music
theory by teaching the meaning of music
terms such as time signature and keys (major
and minor) related to the piano music a
student is working on. In addition to piano
lessons, during the music theory class, I
thoroughly teach music theory from the
beginning basics to preparation for college
music majors.
Ear training
Students learn how to dictate musical notes
while listening to melody, chords, or
harmony. Not only is ear training very good
for establishing more focused listening and
understanding of music theory, but it also
enhances a student's piano performance and
interpretation of music.
Communication
I value communication with students and
their parents. I have experience with
teaching students of all sorts of levels,
ages and ethnic backgrounds. I provide the
best environment possible where students and
parents can feel comfortable communicating
with me.
Free consultation is available regarding
purchase or rent of a piano for each
prospective student. I am familiar with
various types of pianos.
Please contact Nanae Wolf at (916) 689-9212
for more details.
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