Malena's Music Studio

Teaching Philosophy: In the 1700s (around the time of Bach) if you couldn’t improvise, you couldn’t work as a musician. Before sheet music was widely available, music was closer to a language that performers were expected to speak fluently. Today, many musicians are dependent on the page. One of my goals for my students is to focus on that lost fluency. I want them to create their own arrangements, transpose with ease, and improvise with confidence, on top of reading what is on the page. Well-rounded musicians play more often and with greater joy. They learn songs faster, explore music on their own, and develop a deeper, more personal relationship with their instrument. When that happens, the piano becomes a source of inspiration rather than an obligation. It calls to them even when no assignments are due. My background: I am a classically trained pianist and have been teaching for seven years. I graduated Cum Laude in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Utah. While not directly related to piano pedagogy, my scientific background profoundly shaped my approach to learning. I integrate spaced repetition, efficiency methodologies (such as Kaizen and waste reduction), and other science-backed learning strategies with all of my students. I believe that every student possesses their own form of genius, and my role as a teacher is to recognize it, nurture it, and provide the tools that allow it to shine. Lesson Options: At my home studio or in your home Flexible lesson lengths and schedules