Melody Cook
Piano Teacher, Composer, Artist

Piano Lessons

Piano
        Lessons

Piano Lessons

Piano
     Lessons

Piano 
     Lessons

Piano Lessons

Piano
    Lessons

Piano Lessons

Piano
     Lessons

Piano Lessons

  1. Private Piano Lessons
    Melody Cook teaches private piano lessons to beginners of all ages. She prefers Alfred's Basic Piano Library method, but is open to using other books upon request. Lessons can be in the student's home, or in Melody's home piano studio.
  2. Piano Class
    Melody teaches piano class in South Seminole Middle School's 21'st Century after school program. These classes are organized and provided by the Steinway Society of Central Florida. Melody may add more piano classes to her schedule after she finishes studying at UCF.
  3. Private Piano Lesson Groups
    Melody will be offering piano lesson groups after she completes her Bachelor's degree at UCF. This will be ideal for a group of students living more than ten miles from Melody's studio. Students will be able to book consecutive lessons at the same location and split the travel fee.

Piano Lessons with Melody

This is what a piano lesson usually looks like.
  • The student plays pieces which were assigned for practice at the previous lesson.
  • We discuss how to improve it, and decide whether or not to pass it. 
  • I give children stickers for good practice.
  • I add new material, making sure the student understands any new information.
  • The student attempts to play the new piece(s).
  • We make notes to help with practice during the next week.
  • We go over music theory homework, if the student is using a workbook.
  • I give children stickers for good behavior during the lesson.
Teaching Experience
 
I have been teaching piano since 2014.

I teach piano class to middle schoolers, and I teach private lessons to beginners of all ages.

My youngest student was five years old. I have taught elementary age children, middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, working adults, and retired adults.
 
I have some experience teaching piano to children with ADHD and children who have high functioning autism.
Lesson Policies
 
​  
Policies for Piano Class:
 
To start piano lessons:
  • Contact me about my availability.
  • Organize (a) group(s) of piano students for one hour lessons. (Optimal class size is four to six students per one-hour class. Maximum class size is ten students.)

Before the first lesson:
  • Prepare a lesson room with enough keyboards for each student in the class to use one. (Each keyboard must have headphones for practice during the lesson. If possible, get each student a full sized keyboard with weighted keys and a sustain pedal.)
  • If I teach multiple classes at one location, the cost of keyboards can be shared by the groups. I can teach more than once a week if it fits in my schedule.

What to expect at the first lesson:
  • Fill out registration form.
  • Review policies.
  • Answer any questions.
  • Assess students' levels on piano.
  • Choose lesson books.
  • As time allows, begin lesson one in new book.

First Lesson Price:
  • $20 Registration fee
  • Plus regular lesson price
  • Plus your share of the travel fee
  • Plus cost of lesson book (usually $5- $15)

Lesson Price:
  • Depends on number of students in class.
  • Price per student for 1 hour class:
1 student:        $40
2 students:       $20
3 students:       $18
4 students:       $15
5 students:       $12
6 students:       $10
7 students:       $9
8 students:       $8
9 students:       $8
10 students:    $8
  • Travel Fee will be split between students in the class and added to the lesson price
$10 (plus $1.00 per mile beyond 10 miles, no toll routes unless students agree to pay tolls)
  • There will be a $10 recital fee per student for each recital the class decides to perform.

Payment Policies and Options:
  • Cash, check, or money order accepted. (If a check bounces, the student is responsible to cover any bank penalties, and checks will no longer be accepted from that student.)
  • A lesson cycle is one month. Students must pay in advance by the last lesson of the previous month.
  • I will not accept payment for partial lesson cycles. If a student has not paid for a lesson cycle, they will not receive lessons that month unless they pay for the full lesson cycle.
  • A student may enroll or re-enroll at any time by paying the full amount for the current lesson cycle, or they may request to begin at the next lesson cycle.
  • A student desiring to enroll in the class must be approved by me at least one week in advance of the required payment for the lesson cycle in question, because I will need to communicate the decrease in cost with the rest of the class.
  • I will inform the class, by email, of any fluctuations in cost because of changes in enrollment, at least 36 hours before required payment for the following lesson cycle.

Attendance Policies:
  • No refunds or rescheduling of missed lessons, even with prior notice.
  • If an entire class is canceled which has already been paid for, I will apply the payment to the next payment cycle.
​  
Policies for Private Piano Lessons:

Location:
  • At my home studio
Or
  • At student’s location (See Travel Fee under Lesson Price)

To start piano lessons,

Before your first lesson,
  • You will need a piano or keyboard for daily practice.
  • Piano is preferable.
  • Consult me if you need help finding or choosing a piano.
  • If you must use a keyboard, get a full sized one with weighted keys and a sustain pedal.

What to expect at the first lesson:
  • Fill out registration form.
  • Review lesson policies.
  • Answer any questions.
  • Assess student’s level on piano.
  • Choose lesson book(s).
  • As time allows, we will begin lesson one in the new book.

First Lesson Price:
  • $20 Registration fee
  • Plus regular lesson price
  • Plus lesson book(s), usually $5- $15.

Lesson Price:
  • $40 per hour or $20 per half-hour
  • Add Travel Fee if lesson is at a location other than my studio:
$10 (plus $1.00 per mile beyond 10 miles, no toll routes unless student agrees to pay tolls)

Payment Options:
  • Pay full price at each lesson.
Or
  • Pay each month in advance for $5 discount per month.

Payment Accepted:
  • Cash
  • Check (If a check bounces, the student is responsible to cover any bank penalties, and checks will no longer be accepted from that student.)
  • Money order

Attendance Policies:
  • No refunds for missed lessons.
  • Student must give 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson. Otherwise, they are responsible to pay for the missed lesson.
  • If I cancel a lesson which has already been paid for, I will reschedule or apply the payment to the next lesson.
  •  
​  
Policies for Private Piano Lesson Group:

To start piano lessons:
  • Contact me about my availability.
  • Organize potential students in your area for consecutive lessons in a home, church, or community center with a piano (not a keyboard), which will be available during the lesson hours.

Before the first lesson:
  • Each student will need a piano or keyboard available for daily practice.
  • Piano is preferable.
  • Consult me if you need help finding or choosing a piano.
  • If you must use a keyboard, get a full sized one with weighted keys and a sustain pedal.

What to expect at the first lesson:
  • Fill out registration form.
  • Review lesson policies.
  • Answer any questions.
  • Assess student’s level on piano.
  • Choose lesson book.
  • As time allows, begin lesson one in new book.

First Lesson Price:
  • $20 Registration fee
  • Plus regular lesson price
  • Plus your share of the travel fee
  • Plus lesson books (usually $5- $15)

Lesson Price:
  • $40 per hour or $20 per half-hour
  • Travel Fee will be split between students in the group and added to the lesson price
$10 (plus $1.00 per mile beyond 10 miles, no toll routes unless students agree to pay tolls)
  • There will be a $10 recital fee per student for each recital the group decides to perform.

Payment Policies and Options:
  • Pay each month in advance at the last lesson of the previous month.
  • Cash, check, or money order accepted. (If a check bounces, the student is responsible to cover any bank penalties, and checks will no longer be accepted from that student.)

Attendance Policies:
  • No refunds or rescheduling of missed lessons, even with prior notice, unless the entire group is canceled for the week.
  • If I cancel a lesson which has already been paid for, I will apply the payment to the next payment cycle.
  

Piano Lesson Reviews

Cyrus H., Jul 15, 2016, Takelessons.com

Annette, Apr 25, 2016, Takelessons.com

Mari, Apr 25, 2016, Takelessons.com

First lesson went great! My son really enjoyed the experience and is excited to keep going. At first he thought he wouldn't like going to piano lessons, but now he says he really really likes it!
Great at keeping kids' attention and progressing quickly enough to keep their interest.
My 8 year old son has been taking lessons with Melody for months and he has been progressing very quickly. She has been great and he very much enjoys his lessons.

Lia W., Apr 25, 2016, Takelessons.com

Carter, Apr 25, 2016, Takelesson.com

Ananya, Feb 20, 2016, Takelessons.com

Melody was a great instructor for my beginning 9 year old daughter. She was very patient and soft spoken which allowed my daughter to feel comfortable. She learned a lot and has developed a a love for piano which she hopes to continue. I would highly recommend Melody.
Melody is a very patient & encouraging instructor. She ensures you understand the basics & fundamentals so that practicing becomes an enjoyable event instead of a chore.
Melody is a good piano teacher. She has a way of making Piano learning interesting and fun for kids.