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About
PLEASE CHECK MY STUDIO LOCATION IN CAMBRIAN PARK TO SEE IF IT WORKS FOR YOU. I ONLY TEACH AT MY STUDIO IN THE CAMBRIAN PARK/LOS GATOS AREA. NO IN-HOME LESSONS.
STUDIO LOCATION: IN CAMBRIAN PARK CLOSE TO LOS GATOS/CAMPBELL/SARATOGA AREAS.
I DO NOT TEACH IN MILPITAS or ANY AREA EXCEPT THE ABOVE AREAS.
PLEASE CHECK MY LOCATION IF YOU ARE IN SAN JOSE BEFORE CONTACTING ME AS WE (BUSINESSES) PAY FOR ANY LEADS CUSTOMERS SEND TO US WHETHER YOU WRITE BACK TO US OR NOT. (My studio is in Cambrian Park and a block from Hogue Park in the Bascom and Camden area). I DO NOT DO IN-HOME LESSONS.
I am close to many areas as I'm right off freeways. Currently accepting AUDITIONS for new students as my studio is almost full. No Trials (Looking for Seriously Interested Students Only).
RCM/ABRSM SPECIALIZED PERFORMANCE EXAM TRAINING:
I provide training and coach students to score high on both RCM and ABRSM exams. Experienced with students of all levels. I have never had a student fail a test and can guarantee your child will not fail and as long as they practice, will score high. Happy to provide referrals to parents of students who have done testing for years as well as scores.
CUSTOMIZED LEARNING TAILORED TO INDIVIDUALS: (Learn the Songs You Love)
The most important thing about my teaching is that I customize to make the learning experience meaningful to each unique student. I make learning enjoyable for everyone with individualized curriculum and music and guarantee that you will progress FASTER with me than with other teachers because of this attention to detail and my expertise in technique, theory, and piano repertoire.
ALL LEVELS/ALL GENRES:
I teach all levels from beginning through college entry and coach students with performance exams and competitions.
I am equally comfortable teaching advanced level classical piano and rock piano. You can play anything from pop music, to classical, to film or video game music, to neoclassical, to New Age with me. I will help you find music you really love playing.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/BACKGROUND:
My training is classical (BA classical piano performance, 10 years of private lessons with a Rachmaninoff expert, advanced studies in piano pedagogy, also studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music); yet I've played with local bands and compose crossover music.
I am currently working on an album of original music which will be available on all streaming platforms.
I've taught at both the college level and studied pedagogy extensively as well as ran for my own private piano studio/taught from a home studio for over 15 years.
I only teach piano and am incredibly passionate about playing and composing. I love teaching piano and want to share my love of piano with you no matter whether you're new to piano or are a Chopin lover like myself and want to learn the Ballade in G minor or the Rachmaninoff Prelude in #C minor.
TEACH THEORY, TECHNIQUE, SIGHT-READING & EXTENSIVE REPERTOIRE:
I provide my students with a comprehensive foundation in theory, technique, and proper posture/hand position and cover some of the most beautiful repertoire in the field.
Each student gets customized lessons that best address their strengths as well as the areas that they need work in. I also provide detailed practice instructions which is important as many students do not know how to practice. We set learning goals and we meet them; I can guarantee that after many years of teaching.
MY STUDIO HAS A PROFESSIONAL 6'1 YAMAHA C3 GRAND MADE FOR MUSIC CONSERVATORIES & COLLEGES:
My light and large piano studio has a 6'1 YAMAHA C3 (An incredible grand piano), Stage 2 Nord Synthesizer (the best synthesizer money can buy), and an upright Baldwin. Most of my students are age 7-14; but I do also teach motivated adults. I typically provide everything you need including all music except for lesson books.
You have access to one of the best grands you can play as well as the best synthesizers.
I have taught piano since I was a teen and have been winning awards and scholarships since then. One of the first was acceptance into the prestigious piano master class at University of the Pacific at age 14.
I started performing as a teen and currently compose my own music and perform with a crossover trio. I teach improv and songwriting and about a third of my younger students work with me on composition or arranging.
RECITALS:
I have 2-3 recitals a year at formal recital hall and multiple informal performing opportunities/small recitals for students at my studio on my grand. It's very important to also practice performing as that is an art in itself.
WHY STUDY WITH ME? RAPID PROGRESS, SONGS YOU LOVE!
If your child or you study with me, you will see clear and rapid progress, yet you or your child will really enjoy the journey. My students progress and learn to play rapidly as I customize lessons to best fit their strengths. Piano and playing/composing/teaching piano is my greatest passion in life. I invite you to let me teach you the beauty of music and joy of playing.
Overview
Hired 123 times
2 similar jobs done near you
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20 years in business
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Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
71 reviews
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Mani J.
Feb 15, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible impact my daughter's music teacher has
had on her journey. Before joining this class, my daughter had little interest in music. She
would attend lessons but never practice on her own. She struggled with basic music notation
for over two years, making slow progress and showing no real enthusiasm.That all changed
when we found her current teacher. After reading great reviews online, I decided to reach out
and explain my daughter's struggles. The teacher listened patiently and reassured me that
she would try to find an approach that worked for her. And she did exactly that!Instead of
following a one-size-fits-all method, she took the time to understand what would spark my
daughter's interest. She adjusted her teaching style to match her pace, making lessons
engaging and tailored just for her. The transformation has been nothing short of amazing.
Now, my daughter chooses to sit at the piano and practice every day. She not only plays long
and complex pieces but also experiments with new music on her own. Her confidence,
attention span, and love for music have all grown tremendously.What makes this teacher
even more special is her own deep connection to music. She is not just a skilled pianist but
also a gifted composer. I have had the privilege of hearing several of her original
compositions, and they are truly breathtaking. Her ability to create beautiful, moving pieces is
a testament to her talent and passion. Even more impressively, she passes on this creative
gift to her students, encouraging them to compose their own music. Under her guidance, my
daughter has started experimenting with melodies and creating her own simple
compositions-something I never imagined she would do!This teacher is more than just an
instructor-she is a true mentor, motivator, and inspiration. If you are looking for someone who
genuinely cares about their students, nurtures their creativity, and helps them unlock their full
musical potential, I wholeheartedly recommend this music class. It has been a life-changing
experience for my daughter, and I am so grateful we found her!
Details: 10 - 13 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 2 - 4 yrs of formal training • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 45 minutes • Remotely (phone or internet)
Piano Lessons
Eri N.
Mar 28, 2020
•
Hired on Thumbtack
My 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter have been taking lesson with Toby for 7 months. Both are enjoying her lesson while learning a lot.
Toby is very patient and also very good at inspiring my children. My son, who was not keen at the beginning, is now very keen on practicing because Toby gives him great music for boys, sometimes popular Disney music, sometimes, easy version of famous classical music.
Toby is also good at composing. She played her original music she composed at the recital last year. It was very inspiring for my children to listen to her playing very passionately. Also, it was very nice to listen to students' performance in different levels at the recital I could see the path of improvements of students.
I appreciate her lessons and we are all looking forward her lessons ahead.
Details: 6 - 9 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 0 - 2 yrs of formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location
Piano Lessons
Jessica K.
May 18, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
My 8yr old daughter has been doing lessons with Toby for 2 months. She is making great progress and she really enjoys the lessons, she is always eager to go and especially loves that she is already working on her own composition! Toby is really helping to foster her love of music and we are excited to her progress!
Piano Lessons (for children or teenagers)
Cynthia M.
Jan 2, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
I recently hired Toby for lessons in composition and to help me gain more agility and greater finger dexterity. I played piano for 5 years as a child, but stopped in high school because I became too busy.
I also wanted to start writing my own music. I have lyrics, but I don't know how to put them to music.
Toby has been working with my daughter who started piano lessons 3 years ago. My daughter had some interest in playing, but had a hard time getting motivated to practice. Toby got her back on track and excited about practicing. She is unique in allowing her intermediate students to play with her band which plays originals, including her own which are a mix of classical and rock.
Toby has had an amazing influence on my daughter who went from not knowing how to play to playing intermediate pieces with a wonderful tone, dynamics, and dexterity. She is currently working on a some Chopin (Toby is most skilled in the Romantic era pieces such as Chopin and Rachmaninoff) and the Mozart Turkish March sonata. My daughter has also learned how to write songs and compose music to match them. Toby studied at Berklee which is well-known as the premier school for songwriting and composition, and it shows in her teaching.
I am so excited to have an opportunity to work with her. She is a fantastic teacher and her original music is gorgeous and inspirational.
Piano Lessons (for adults)
Rosa C.
Jan 4, 2017
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I have nothing but positive things to say about Toby. Since last October I have had weekly lessons with her and she is very patient, encouraging, and extremely talented. I had an opportunity to listen to one of her own compositions and what I told her afterwards that it moved me I didn't quite have the words to explain it but it was beautiful. I also I think it's great that she is organized and tailors each lesson to the needs and wants of each of her students to provide a meaningful and healthy lesson.
Piano Lessons (for adults)
Credentials
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Toby Matoush
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
If you sign up for a lesson pack of 6 months of lessons and prepay, there is a discount. My students learn quickly and are generally high achievers.
We have an academy style learning environment with monthly performance opportunities, practice competitions, and multiple opportunities to learn and perform.
$60 for 30 min
$70 for 45 min
$80 for 60 min
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BA in classical piano performance at a young age and multiple performance scholarships, master classes from the University of the Pacific at age 15. Graduate studies at the famous Berklee College of Music as well as Pacific College of Music. Masters degree in pedagogy.
12 years of private classical piano lessons from Ashland Rachmaninoff specialist Cynthia Whittier.
Songwriting/Composition Training from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston
Multiple performances as a soloist
Currently working with my band on a music video for YouTube and a CD; will be performing songs from it next year
Jazz piano studies with local jazz pianists Debbie Poyres (from the Berkeley Jazz College) and Martan Mann.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I began teaching in my late teens as a classical piano performance major many years ago.
