Piano Academy

This is a private lesson between teacher and student where the student can begin as young as age six. Through careful instruction, the skills of music reading, technique, musical memory and interpretation will be developed. The goal is to achieve a basic classical background in piano technique and repertoire.

This method is designed for the student as young as three years of age and is called themother tongue approach. The child first learns by imitating the teacher and listening to recordings. Music reading is taught as a separate skill. A parent must be present during the lesson and also practice with the child at home until the student reaches a stage of independence.

Guitar lessons are tailored to meet the needs and desires of every student. The beginner is taught the basics of posture, hand positioning, and fingering along with basic rudiments of music. Progressing from simple, single note melodies to full pieces, each student is guided through all essential aspects of playing, reading, and improvisation.

Gloria Wilson is the founder and director of the Piano Academy. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She studied the Suzuki method at Queens University in Ontario, Canada, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and privately with Lorraine Landefeld in Pittsburgh. She participated in workshops given by Mrs. Kataoka in Wisconsin and Pittsburgh. Her vast experience includes over thirty-five years of private teaching.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, (B.M. Composition) and Carnegie Mellon University, (M.M. Composition) Michael has been composing, performing, and teaching for many years. He currently teaches Theory/Composition, Guitar, Elec. Bass, and Piano, and is a part-time faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University where he teaches Theory. His compositions reflect an individual style and technique, not remaining tied to one particular genre. His works include Classical, Jazz Fusion, and Rock.

Pianist Agnieszka Sornek holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education fromFryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in her native Poland. She taught piano, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and served as accompanist at the Karol Szymanowski School of Music in Warsaw before moving to the United States. Currently, Ms. Sornek graduated from Duquesne University with an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance.

Lynne Hughes is a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School and a former student of The Piano Academy. She holds a BA in Music from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, where she studied piano under Dr. Suzanne Newcomb. Ms. Hughes also holds a teaching certificate in Library Science from The University of Pittsburgh.