Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a keyboard orchestra?
It's a group of piano students performing together, each using a different voice on their keyboards.  The performance is similar to an orchestra, band or rock group.  You might play the violin part in "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony" or the stadium organ part in "Take Me Out To The Ball Game".  You could be the drumline in the "Star Spangled Banner" or the bass guitar in a rock song.

Do I have to be an intermediate piano student to do this?
No, there are ensembles for all ages and abilities.  We perform music the very beginning student can play, as well as demanding repertoire for the advanced performer.

How is a keyboard group different from traditional private lessons?
The typical private student has a weekly lesson alone with their teacher, practices alone at home and performs alone in a recital.  It can be a very isolating experience and 80% of private piano students quit by their second year!  
Contrast that experience with the group keyboard approach....

What the experts are saying:

"My groups are not only more passionate and enthusiastic with their music than their individual counterparts, but they also demonstrate a greater desire to succeed."--Tessa Sawchuk, Director of the Prosser academy in Seattle, WA

Simply put, students work harder and enjoy piano lessons more when studying with groups of their peers.

"Groups have a wonderful built-in motivation because of the peer interaction and the weekly opportunities to perform"--Elvina Pearce, Editor-in-Chief, Keyboard Companion Magazine

Practicing with friends each week is fun!  Performing in front of a group on a weekly basis--instead of once a year in a recital--builds sustained confidence that carries over into their ability to perform in front of peers and classmates.

What former students are saying:  "Giving speeches in class and even interviewing for a job was easier because I was so used to being in front of people and adjusting to whatever was going on around me.  It no longer made me nervous."

What parents are saying:  "We don't have to pressure her to practice anymore.  She doesn't want to be the only one who doesn't know her part that weekend."

Will lessons work with our schedule?
Most group lessons occur on Saturdays so they do not interfere with homework or after school events.

Can we afford this?
Weekly hour-long lessons are $80 a month.  All keyboards, ensemble music and venue rental is provided by the director.

Will my child still get a well rounded musical education?
Yes, students study theory, music composition, note reading, finger exercises and scales.  Solo pieces, as well as ensembles, are studied.  

How often does the orchestra perform?
Depending on the ability of the piano student, there are one to four performance opportunities each school year.

Where do you perform?
We have a wide range of performance venues to give the student experience in many different environments.  Past performances included churches, outdoor concerts, the Texas State Capitol Rotunda, The Austin Children's Museum and the Austin District Music Teacher's Conventions.

About the teacher:
A classically trained music, Lisa Richards is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and a life-long member of the Austin District Music Teacher's Association (ADMTA) and all students of Ms. Richards are eligible to participate in ADMTA sponsored events at the university.  Her students have won gold and silver medals in theory, performed in Music Festivals and Honors Recitals at U.T. and All-Star Recitals at Texas Music Teacher Conventions.