Olga Diaz is a classically trained musician. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, she started her musical studies at the Dalcroze School of Music when she was 5. At the age of 8, began to study piano at J.M. Olivares School of Music from where she graduated in 1985 as a Piano Teacher. After finishing high school, she was admitted to the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Central de Venezuela from where she obtained the degree of Medical Doctor in 1991. From 1985 to 1992, she studied piano with Prof. Bruna Monestiroli (a graduated from Conservatory Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy, as a student of Alfredo Casella). After working for two years as a physician, Olga decided to dedicate the rest of her life to music.

She moved in 1994 to New York City where she lived for six years. During this time, Olga obtained a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music (2000). She graduated as a student of Zenon Fishbein (also a graduate from Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy). Afterwards, from 2001 to 2004 she studied with Arkady Aronov (former professor at Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory of Music in Leningrad, Russia and now piano faculty of Mannes College and Manhattan School of Music).

Olga Diaz has performed as a soloist and as an accompanist in Caracas and New York. She performed in: Sala de Conciertos del Ateneo de Caracas, Sala de Conciertos de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Sala de Conciertos de la Universidad Simon Bolivar, Teatro de la Comandancia General de la Aviacion, and recorded a program for National Television with Nabor Zambrano (Formato Libre) and Radio Nacional with Cristina Assai (Musical Youth of Venezuela). In New York City, she performed at Hubbard Hall, CAMI Hall, and El Museo del Barrio.

Olga lived in Short Hills, NJ from 2000 to 2004 where she made a studio of 40 students. In June, 2004, she moved to Sacramento, California, where she taught privately in her home until September, 2006, when she moved to Walnut Creek.

Olga is affiliated to Music Teacher National Association, Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and Contra Costa Performing Arts Society.

STUDIO INFORMATION

The goals of the studio are to enrich the student's life through the establishment of effective study habits, the acquisition of performance skills and the development of a thorough musical foundation. The studio is committed to provide the programs that can benefit students of all ages and abilities.

The Studio has easy access from Highway 24 and is at a walking distance from Acalanes High School and Springhill Elementary School. It is equipped with two pianos: one Bösendorfer grand and one Schimmel upright; and a library with music literature, recordings and reference materials.

Private lessons are available to students of all ages and levels. Students are provided with 30, 45 or 60 minutes weekly private lessons. Thirty minutes session is recommended to young beginners. Learning an instrument is a complex process that requires individual attention to many details. For this reason, longer sessions are recommended to older children and adults students. Each lesson includes Scales and Arpeggios, Technique and Classical Repertoire. To help building a strong foundation, music theory, aural training and sight reading are incorporated to the lessons.

Students enrolled in the studio have various exams available on a state, national, and international level. Students may participate in:
ABRSM exams, sponsored by the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music
Certificate of Merit, sponsored by MTAC
Bartok & Contemporary Music Festival, Concerto Competition, Honor Auditions and Piano Auditions sponsored by CAPMT.

Students participating in any of these auditions or exams are required to commit to a one hour lesson to allow for adequate coverage of required technique, theory and repertoire.

A free consultation is offered at the studio where the potential student's level can be ascertained and matters of materials, studio policies and scheduling can be addressed.