The Joy of Piano

Piano is a wizardly art. You wiggle your fingers and music comes out! Even more than music, when fingers meet pianos, it creates joy. I'm Spencer, and I teach kids how to love playing the piano. More importantly, I use the piano to teach young people how to live a happy life.

I teach young people confidence, self-reliance, communication skills, and how to take ownership of their joy. Through the piano, I help youth access their innate intelligence, and the joy that comes from tapping into it.

  • Learning to strike a key with skill develops confidence.
  • Learning a piece to the point of mastery teaches self-reliance.
  • Developing an understanding of the instrument enhances communication skills.
  • Having ownership of these skills gives you the ability to have fun and impress your friends: to access happiness whenever you like.

    • My first piano teacher was named Jane, and she became my best friend. She taught me that piano is only partly a matter of technique. Once a basic foundation is in place, the piano can quickly and easily become a landscape in which we can dream, learn and explore. Technical skill follows as an extension of your own passion, enthusiasm, and imagination.

    I have two years of intensive training under Julliard-Trained Master Teacher, classical pianist John Boyajy, and two years of Graduate-Level Study at Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre. Using this foundation, I combine the development of technical agility with an exploration of creative freedom on and off the keys to help beginning pianists discover a unique emotional relationship with the piano, and translate this relationship into the rest of their lives.

    Testimonials:

    On our way home we were listening to music, not in conversation, just coasting. About halfway home, out of the blue Jasper says... "I love piano lessons with Spencer." Thank you for bringing the joy of music and art of playing piano into Jasper's world.

    - Sarah Klein

    "I can’t say enough good things about Spencer. He’s so patient and connects with my kids in a way that helps them fall in love with music rather than just memorizing notes. He’s immensely talented and you can tell he loves the magic of music and helping kids discover that magic as well."

    - Emilie Jenkins

    "Spencer is amazing! He does a great job helping my 8 year old feel confident and comfortable with music. Piano is truly a joyful experience for him. He always comes home from lessons wanting to play more."

    - Kelly Schultz

    "My 11 and 7 year old have been getting piano lessons from Spencer for over a year. He is fun, encouraging, and never pressures them. It’s been wonderful watching them learn to love music in such a fun way."

    - Dalia Monterroso

    "We are having a most excellent experience with Spencer Rank. He is so intent on sparking Ben's imagination and interest, and so creative in how he does it. Spencer is a master of connection and observation. He really "gets" Ben. Ben always leaves with a smile on his face and a spring in his step... and his "at home" musings at the piano are increasingly playful and elegant. Thank you, Spencer, for nurturing Ben's creative being and for beginning Ben's Joy of Piano"

    - Jen Havens

    "Spencer is a fantastic teacher. Our 10 year old, Elliott, has taken lessons from him for a few months now. Spencer keeps Elliott engaged while also providing movement breaks. I appreciate his fluid philosophy where the interests of his students are in the forefront of his approach to teaching."

    - Sarah Culbertson

    Contact:

    You can reach me by email at myknowingjoy@gmail.com. Or visit my Facebook Page.