I have more than 10 years of teaching experience and currently run a thriving piano studio out of my home in the West Philly/University City area. In the past, I taught piano at the Tatnall School (Wilmington, DE) and ran private studios in both Pittsburgh & Chicago, while attending school. As a teacher, I have a particular strength for teaching children.
I enjoy working with young students and beginners, and strive to make our time together engaging and inspirational while also helping students get started on the path to successful and lifelong musical learning. I am a graduate of Northwestern University (MM Oboe Performance) and Baldwin-Wallace College (BM Oboe Performance).
I enjoy working with young students and beginners, and strive to make our time together engaging and inspirational while also helping students get started on the path to successful and lifelong musical learning. I am a graduate of Northwestern University (MM Oboe Performance) and Baldwin-Wallace College (BM Oboe Performance).
Services
The piano studio of Stacey McDonald offers private piano lessons to children and teenagers in the West Philadelphia/University City neighborhood. All lessons take place in my home studio (I do not travel) on my beautiful 1962 Baldwin grand piano. My studio specializes in teaching one-on-one piano lessons to children between the ages of 5-18.
Learning to play the piano well takes time, perseverance and patience. While some students adapt very quickly to new skills, other students may need more time to master these very same tasks. Regardless, all students will progress and learn to play well--as long as they don't quit.
Because students are at home with their parents every day of the week and in the studio with their teacher only one day of the week, parents are required to provide the optimal musical setting at home.This includes enforcing a regular practice routine, providing the best sounding well-tuned piano you can afford and lots of encouragement.
Because students are at home with their parents every day of the week and in the studio with their teacher only one day of the week, parents are required to provide the optimal musical setting at home.This includes enforcing a regular practice routine, providing the best sounding well-tuned piano you can afford and lots of encouragement.
It is easily accessible from SEPTA Public Transporation and is within walking distance of the Baltimore Avenue Shops. Parents may enjoy taking a walk around the neighborhood and stopping at either the Gold Standard Cafe or Satellite Cafe for some coffee while children are having lessons. We are also close to the Mariposa Food Co-Op if you'd like to grab some groceries during lesson times.
Reviews (9)
Nidhi Krishen
Feb 01, 2017
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I am adult student who has been studying piano with Stacey for a little while. My experience with Stacey has been absolutely superb. Stacey is not only a skilled musician but she also has the gift of teaching. Her depth and breadth of knowledge of the subject is incredible. She is patient and can communicate concepts clearly. Not only does Stacey teach me how to play but she also teaches me how to understand music. She has made my journey into the wonderful realm of music fun, informative and truly a pleasure.
Denise Dicks
Dec 21, 2016
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My granddaughter began private piano classes with Stacy now almost 2 years ago at the age of 6. She rushes me out the house every Thursday to ensure she will make it to her piano lesson on time (laughing). I can say with great ease and confidence that Stacey has developed my grand baby to become a true piano player. She was so excited about playing and doing so well, three months into her lessons I brought her a keyboard. Stacey identified her ear for music and used that skill to teach her how to excel. Stacey's warm personality welcomes my grand baby weekly. Her soft tone allows her to transfer
Anu Thomas
Dec 02, 2016
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My son has been taking Piano lessons with Stacey for about six months and he enjoys attending his lessons. He started lessons with Stacey when he was four and a half and she is wonderful with him. Stacey is very patient with my son; she finds ways to keep his attention throughout the lesson by mixing up time at the piano and doing other activities related to the lesson. Stacey is an outstanding teacher who is kind, dedicated and lots of fun!
Mariko Franz
Nov 18, 2016
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My daughter began taking piano lessons with Stacey in September 2016. For the past four months my daughter has always been eager to attend her weekly lessons - quite a feat for a child that has consistently disliked most extracurricular activities. Stacey provides a space where playing the piano is enjoyable, but challenging enough to push her students to do their best. Moreoever, she is reasonably priced, and flexible. I highly recommend her.
Laura Stroffolino
Nov 16, 2016
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My daughter has been taking piano lessons with Stacey McDonald since 2013. Stacey is patient and sweet, and has been able to bring my shy kid out of her shell during lessons. My daughter participated in Stacey's recital in June, and did so without hesitation because of Stacey's preparation and encouragement. I highly recommend Stacey McDonald Piano Studio.
Carrie Young
Nov 12, 2016
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My son and daughter have been taking piano lessons with Stacey for a number of years now, and we think Stacey is a fantastic piano teacher! She is patient and kind, and she has consistently done a great job at identifying the challenges and strengths that each of my children bring to their piano studies. She is friendly, flexible and easy to work with. I have already recommended Stacey to friends and will continue to do so. I recommend her highly!
W. McQuillar
Oct 11, 2016
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We have enjoyed watching our daughter grow musically with Stacey.
Our daughter has been taking classes with Stacey for close to a year now. Stacey has an encouraging spirit; which made it easy for our daughter to learn so much in such a short time. Our daughter learned how to read music notes, and how to make her own composition. She looks forward to her private lessons with Stacey. During the private lessons, our daughter sings along as she plays the piano. We feel that Stacey has fostered a keen ear for music within our daughter. This has allowed her to not only play the piano, but sing as well
Our daughter has been taking classes with Stacey for close to a year now. Stacey has an encouraging spirit; which made it easy for our daughter to learn so much in such a short time. Our daughter learned how to read music notes, and how to make her own composition. She looks forward to her private lessons with Stacey. During the private lessons, our daughter sings along as she plays the piano. We feel that Stacey has fostered a keen ear for music within our daughter. This has allowed her to not only play the piano, but sing as well
Helen Hong
Sep 24, 2016
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My child loved taking lessons with Ms. Stacey! She is so great with kids and she fosters a fun format in which to learn basic skills and move onto more challenging techniques. We cannot recommend her enough for young learners - she is patient, infuses plenty of humor in her lessons, and finds ways to keep a child's attention for a full 30-45 mins. We liked her approach of helping kids learn by combining proper technique (note counts and proper hand form) with playing by ear. We would've stayed with her longer but due to a move we were not able to continue. We are very sad to not be able to continue
Bruce Byker James
Jun 24, 2016
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Our six-year-old daughter has been taking lessons with Stacey for nine months and she loves it! She comes home from every lesson excited to tell us about what she learned. Stacey has a great low-stress approach that works so well for our daughter, and she's learned a lot. She's encouraged to develop not just her playing ability, but her ear as well, and she ends up singing along to almost all her songs. Great piano teacher!
