Jan Sarvis Piano Studio

Welcome. You are here because you, or someone you love, wants to play the piano. For many, this is an intimidating prospect. How do I go about this? How do I choose the right teacher? How long will it take? The answers and the questions are different for each of us. What unites us is the desire to express ourselves through this medium, and enter the world of music. Congratulations! You have taken the first step. I am a lifelong musician, student, and teacher. I have been teaching for forty years, all the while continuing my own study and practice. My varied education and teaching experience in different settings enable me to work with a wide range of students. I have taught in the classroom and privately, both children and adults. As a result, I am uniquely qualified to assess where students are in their development, skill, and understanding. It is a joyous process for me to help them achieve their musical desires. In addition to a broad-based musical education (Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Holy Names University, and many years of apprenticeship), I have explored and learned two wonderful bodies of knowledge that have become integral and essential components of my teaching. The first is called Balance. Used in this way, Balance describes a way of learning or re-learning the sitting and moving from a natural, centered alignment of bones. This allows your muscles to be in maximum relaxation, which is of tremendous importance in playing the piano comfortably and well. The second is the Taubman Approach, which, through careful attention to arm, hand, and finger movements, provides one with all the tools necessary to interpret the musical score and play the piano with great ease. Together, these two techniques help you, the pianist, to achieve beautiful tone, develop speed and expression, and allow for a lifetime of comfort in playing, no matter when you choose to begin. Learning that one can develop this skill is a great gift; only inspiration, devotion, and commitment can serve as a basis for such a journey. Playing music simply for your own pleasure is an extraordinary experience. My goal is to give my students a complete musical education of the highest quality that I can in a warm, encouraging, and challenging environment. "Music expresses that which can not be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." - Victor Hugo