Currently we meet for piano lessons in my multi-room studio spaces in Renton and use my new 2023 Estonia Parlor Grand piano. We also use a Casio digital piano with weighted keys as well as an older Kimball baby grand piano. We often play together using two pianos. Beginners start on the digital piano until they are ready to play on the Grand, usually within a month of beginning. Students are encouraged to acquire the best piano they can for practicing at home, either an acoustic or digital with weighted keys.

For percussion studies, we have an array of instruments available including a 5-octave Marimba One, a 4.0 Leedy vintage marimba, a 4.3 Musser marimba, concert snares, two Pearl drumsets, an electronic drumset, and more. We study any and all areas of percussion from Baroque repertoire such as Bach on marimba to rudimental snare drum such as Pratt and Wilcoxen to orchestral excerpts and all styles of drumset.

Starting in the Spring of 2020, the pandemic led us to be creative with our teaching spaces. First, we met in my backyard for lessons using two digital pianos, snare drums and a drumset under a gazebo covering. Then, beginning in the Fall of 2020 and continuing to the present, we met for lessons in my fresh air "Garage Studio" where I have two digital pianos, a marimba, two drumsets, snare drums and more. For percussion, we still use the garage studio from time to time.

As of 2025, we meet indoors in either my main music room or the living room where we use a 1946 Kimball baby grand. The main music studio room has a 2023 Estonia L168 Parlor grand and a Casio Privia digital piano.

To keep us all well, I ask students to wash their hands upon arrival or use hand sanitizer. I clean surfaces with bleach, have fresh air circulating, and use separate instruments and materials as much as possible. In addition, I am fully vaccinated and I recommend that when possible, students also receive their vaccines as per the WA State schools protocols.

In-person lessons are vastly better from an educational and communicative standpoint. When not possible, I also meet with students remotely via zoom or facetime.

Study piano with Ms. Amy from the very beginning or come back to it as an adult. I teach students of all ages, beginning at about 5 years old. First or Second grade is a great time to start learning music and piano is the ultimate beginning instrument. We will learn to read treble and bass clefs, understand musical symbols, play with others using aural skills and comprehend the music we hear in the world around us.

Preferred method books are those of Thompson, Bastien, Faber & Faber, Burnum, Schaum, Hanon, Czerny and others plus classical repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods. Multiple recital performances are given by the studio each year, with a focus on seasonal or holiday themes.

In addition, I offer monthly "challenges" to students on themes such as scales, arpeggios, musical symbols, sight-reading and more where they challenge themselves to pass the set criteria. In the summer months, we have optional game nights where we gather outside to play Music Bingo or have a daytime summer camp.

My goal is to prepare students musically for whatever their future holds: a career as a pianist or professional musician, a life in the arts or just an enthusiast. Maybe your child starts on the piano but switches to the trumpet later? They will be prepared musically to make the move when it's time.

For 8 years, I hosted the NW Mallet Camp in Tacoma, WA. Focusing on keyboard percussion, we had a theme each year and multiple guest artists. Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers, artists and students who participated from 2010-2018.

Studying drums and drumset is completely immersive when we play together on two setups. We focus on the fundamentals of drumming and rhythm and how to play in an ensemble. Reading musical notation and styles in rudimental and concert settings are integrated in the repertoire and techniques are included throughout.