Susan Ward-Online and New Jersey

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Introduction

I live in Mahwah New Jersey. I am a professional musician. I perform at the most Beautiful Theater on Saturday evenings before the movies called The Lafayette Theater in Suffern NY. I always loved music and started playing piano at a very young age. I gave my first piano lesson when I was 18 years old. I said to myself this is what I am going to do for the rest of my life. I have been teaching piano lessons for 40 years now. I really love teaching piano. I am not your typical piano teacher. I do not go page by page of one piano method book. I feel that is so boring for the student and also moving at a snails pace! I pick the best pieces from different method books that my students have really liked and help them progress a faster pace. My goal is of course for you to learn but I want you to have fun at the same time. I teach music theory and give you great fingering exercises and teach every genre from classical to jazz to blues, country and today's music. I have been teaching for so many years now that I have a huge music library. I have every piano method book and every genre of music at different levels. You never have to buy your music I will supply you with your music. I currently teach over 60 students a week. If you put the time in and practice what I teach you will be playing your favorite pieces of music in no time. That's a promise!!!! Please watch my videos of some of my students playing below. They practiced so much to be on my profile and I could not be prouder of them!!

Overview

Current Top Pro

Hired 343 times

Background checked

43 years in business

Business hours

SunClosedMon8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, and Venmo.

Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

2024

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Specialties

Musical style

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

102 reviews

5

97%

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Read reviews that mention:

Silvia T.

Dec 25, 2024

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Hired on Thumbtack

Claude Debussy 🎼 once stated, “Music is not in the notes, but in the silence between them.” Because of Susan, I now understand - and can appreciate- what he meant. I have always wanted to play the piano and as an adult, I was naturally hesitate to start. But from the very beginning, Susan’s passion for the instrument, teaching, and overall warmth put my nerves at ease. Her musical genius is evident in the way she is able to break down complex songs into easy steps. And if Debussy was still alive today, he would attest to this statement. I am so grateful for all Susan has done for me ♥️ and look forward to what is possible with each lesson. If you’ve ever wanted to learn— Susan is the ONLY teacher to go to! 👑✨🎹

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Piano Lessons

Avry C.

Jan 11, 2024

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Hired on Thumbtack

I have always wanted to learn the piano. My mother attempted to teach me when I was little and I always regretted stopping. Many years have passed since then and on a whim I decided to look for a piano teacher, I never had the discipline to teach myself. Susan Ward offered an incredibly affordable price in comparison to others and she also advocated for fun learning rather than a goal of professionalism. Something that stood out to me regarding her profile was the fact that she provided photos and videos of her students rather than all her awards and achievements which really wouldn't say anything about her teaching ability. Seeing her students happy and succeeding gave me the confidence to message her and schedule our first meeting. I do not regret this decision for a second. She is fun and engaging and keeps me interested with all types of music. I love her fast-paced learning style and efficiency with each lesson. She is pleasant and truly a lovely person, I look forward to our lessons and practice with the goal of success rather than a feeling of obligation.

Details: 18 - 25 years old • No formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a piano • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons

CHERYL H.

Jan 3, 2024

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Hired on Thumbtack

I have always wanted to play piano. In 2019, I began playing with a piano app and it was hard to stay motivated. I always felt like I needed a piano teacher. In April of 2023, I decided to get a piano teacher online and found Susan. She was exactly what I needed to move forward with my piano playing. Susan worked with me on an individual basis and designs the lessons to my skill set. She gives me music that challenges me and yet is fun to play. She definitely motivates me to work hard and she praises you along the way. It is so rewarding when you accomplish a song that you found difficult when you first received it. Susan is a great piano teacher and if you want to learn piano, Susan is the person for you!

Details: 45 - 64 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training; some self-taught experience • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 30 minutes • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons

Julius C.

Aug 14, 2024

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Hired on Thumbtack

Details: 10 - 13 years old • Yes, the student can read music • No formal training • Jazz • Yes, the student has a piano • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons

Nikita L.

Jun 30, 2024

·

Hired on Thumbtack

Susan is a patient, kind, talented, teacher. I am lucky to have started working with her. I look forward to my lessons!🥰🎹

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a piano • 45 minutes • My home, venue, etc.

Piano Lessons

Credentials

Background Check

Susan Ward

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I have been teaching for over 30 years now. I always make sure I have a fair price. I always check what the going rate is for piano lessons.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
When I first meet a new student I always ask them what they would like to accomplish from taking lessons. In my experience everyone is so different. Some students just want to have fun and learn their favorite songs as soon as they can and other students are more into the theory part of music and want it to be more structured. I teach everyone differently according to what they want.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started to take private lessons when I was ten years old. I had five different teachers over 16 years. I also went to Bergen Community college for music. I have taught group classes and private lessons at Hale Piano and Organ for about 7 years. I also taught at Rockaway Music and Forte piano. I am currently teaching lessons at students home and teaching at Music and Arts. I also perform at the beautiful Lafayette theater in Suffern NY before the movies on Saturday nights.