Piano Lessons FAQ

Yes. Our teachers provide private piano lessons in your home, so you or your child can learn in a familiar setting without adding another drive to your schedule. There is no additional travel fee within our service area.

Soroush Naji teaches at our Edina studio on Gallagher Drive, near Centennial Lakes Park. Studio lessons give students a dedicated time and place for music, and the change of setting can help them arrive ready to focus.

We will help you find a teacher and a lesson setting that fit your needs.

We offer in-home piano lessons in Edina, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield and St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Availability depends on your address and our teachers’ schedules. If you live outside these communities, contact us to ask whether we can arrange lessons at your address.

Students from any community are also welcome at our Edina studio. Each city has its own page with the local detail, starting from our locations page.

Our studio is at 7300 Gallagher Drive in Edina, near Centennial Lakes Park. From many parts of Richfield it is approximately five to ten minutes, and from many parts of St. Louis Park approximately 8 to 12 minutes. Travel time varies by starting address and traffic, so check directions from your location when planning your visit.

Yes. A suitable keyboard or digital piano can work well for lessons and home practice.

For ongoing learning, we recommend a digital piano with 88 full-size, fully weighted keys. A keyboard with at least 61 full-size, touch-sensitive keys can be suitable for the early stages. Touch-sensitive keys let students change the volume by playing more gently or firmly.

Semi-weighted keys can be a useful starting option, although fully weighted keys are our preference for continued study. Depending on the student’s progress and the music they are learning, a smaller keyboard may serve them for approximately six months to a year before an upgrade becomes helpful.

Send us your instrument’s model name or a photo, and we will help you assess it before you buy anything new.

No. We do not expect families to purchase a piano before their child has even tried a lesson, especially with younger beginners. We understand that buying an instrument is a meaningful commitment, and we want you to feel comfortable with that decision.

Our suggestion is to start with a free trial. If your child enjoys it, continue lessons for about three to six weeks to see how their interest develops and how lessons fit into your family’s routine. During this introductory period, your teacher can guide you on activities to do between lessons.

If the student is enjoying learning and ready to continue, we will help you choose an instrument within your budget. Regular access to a suitable instrument then becomes important for practicing and making steady progress.

For ongoing learning, we recommend 88 full-size, fully weighted keys. When comparing prices, include any stand, bench or pedal you will need. You do not need to choose the most expensive option.

If you do not have an instrument, studio lessons are the easiest way to get started. In-home lessons require a suitable instrument at the home.

Students build skills in music reading, rhythm, technique, theory, listening and repertoire. Depending on the student’s age, goals and teacher, lessons can also include improvisation, composition and other creative activities.

We connect these skills with music the student enjoys so they are not only learning individual pieces, but gradually developing the tools to understand music, learn more independently and keep piano as a meaningful part of their life.

We welcome all musical styles, including classical, pop, jazz, film music and more. Tell us what you enjoy so we can match you with a teacher whose strengths suit your interests.

For beginners, skills such as reading, rhythm, coordination, technique and listening develop through the music they play. The pace varies with age, experience, practice and individual needs.

We can introduce simpler versions of favorite songs when they match the student’s skills, while working toward pieces that require more experience.

Our goal is to help students develop the skills to learn and enjoy the music they love with growing confidence and independence.

We believe practice works best when students have a clear, manageable assignment. Especially for younger learners, we focus on specific pages, pieces or sections to work on, rather than simply asking them to sit at the piano for a set number of minutes.

For example, if the weekly assignment includes six pages, a parent might say, “Let’s work on these two pages before your game.” The student knows what they are working toward and can focus on the teacher’s instructions. The goal is thoughtful practice, not rushing through the pages or watching the clock.

Pairing a small practice assignment with an enjoyable daily activity can help establish a predictable routine. Keep the task achievable, offer encouragement and let the teacher know if it regularly becomes a struggle. Some days, playing feels easy and exciting; other days, it takes patience. We see practice as an opportunity to build consistency, independence and the ability to work through challenges while experiencing the satisfaction of progress.

As a rough guide, most students benefit from three to five practice sessions per week, often taking 10 to 30 minutes per session, depending on their level and assignments. These are estimates rather than a timer requirement.

For children ages three or four, five to ten minutes at a time is often more appropriate. At that age, our focus is on introducing music through small, engaging activities and helping children feel comfortable at the piano.

Parent involvement depends on the student’s age and needs. Younger students often benefit when a parent understands the weekly assignment and helps make practice part of a manageable routine. Teachers explain what to practice and share practical ways to help at home. No musical background is needed.

As students become more independent, especially during the teenage years, we encourage them to take more ownership of their goals, music and practice. The aim is support and consistency without turning piano into pressure, punishment or comparison with someone else.

Yes. We welcome neurodivergent students, including autistic students and students with ADHD. Our approach starts with understanding the individual student: their strengths, interests and what helps them feel comfortable learning.

Soroush Naji offers in-studio lessons in Edina and brings years of experience teaching neurodivergent students. Carson Aldrich offers in-home lessons in Edina, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield and St. Louis Park. Carson double-majored in music and psychology at St. Olaf College and has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and teens, including autistic students and students with ADHD.

Lessons can adapt pacing, explanations, activities and practice goals to the student. Families are welcome to share interests, support needs and approaches that have helped before. A free trial gives the student, family and teacher a chance to see whether the match and teaching approach feel right.

Yes. Students preparing for an audition, a competition or an exam usually move to a 45- or 60-minute lesson for the extra time. Tell us the date and the repertoire, and the lessons are planned backward from it.