Hello Friends of Parlando,

Learning to play piano and the process of taking piano lessons over the course of several decades played a major role in shaping me as a person and as a musician.  I can honestly say that learning to play the piano changed my life and gave me direction - it is a life-long skill that I cherish every day.

While piano is something that I will be eternally grateful to count among my hobbies and passions, there are some aspects to taking private piano lessons that are challenging.  The private lesson process in general can be isolating and, because there are so few opportunities to perform with other musicians at younger ages, piano in particular can be challenging from a social perspective.

With this in mind, we have created the "Piano Plus" program at Parlando.  The "Piano Plus" program provides students with an engaging and energetic social environment where they get to perform, play games, learn theory skills and play the piano together in duets and larger ensembles.  This is a perfect opportunity for students who like the individual attention provided by weekly private lessons but would also like to expand their musicianship through ensemble opportunities, theory knowledge and performance skills.  Participants get to meet and work with other piano students who are playing at their same level and they get to perform for others as well as hear others perform in a supportive, non-competitive and non-recital environment.

Piano Plus meets just once a month, so there is not a major time-commitment involved.  This semester we have already had our three sections of "Piano Plus" fill up so we are opening new sections that will begin during the month of February.  Times and dates will be determined by the availability of the students enrolled. We will also continue to add sections as necessary throughout the year.  If you are interested in joining a new section or putting your name on a list for a future section, please contact the Director of our Piano and Keyboard Studio, Emily Book McGree: emily.book.mcgree@gmail.com, 740.815.7350.

Best,