About Dzana

The most important thing to know about me? I teach music because I love music. I teach from a pure desire to spread that love to others. I believe that everyone can learn how to play the piano. A musician - a pianist - has much to study. There is a lot of work that must be done. I enjoy making that volume of learning fun and attainable to my students. Performing a song at the piano is realized artistry. It's a thrill for the musician and audience. I revel in the opportunities to watch my students share their talent.

My musical education started when I was seven. I took private piano lessons from seven through age twenty-two. I was trained classically following the California Certificate of Merit program, completing the program through level eight before graduating high school. My favorite composers to play are Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, Joplin and Debussy. I also have a penchant for a good show tune. Maria, of West Side Story, is simply beautiful. Christmas music aches to come out of my hands year round, especially in jazz form.

In addition to piano, I formally studied the violin privately and played in orchestras. I also took voice lessons and sang in large and small group choirs through high school and college. I studied the viola and flute, and am self taught on the guitar. I believe that piano is a gateway instrument to others, and that learning multiple instruments strengthens performing in all.

I opened my piano studio in 2010. My students are aged in preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school and adulthood. I teach beginning through intermediate students. My studio offers group music classes to young children beginning at age three. Private students can be as young as four, but most start between ages five and seven. I use the method Piano Adventures - including My First Piano Adventure, Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner, Piano Adventures for Adults - as a backbone for learning. I mold lessons to individual goals. Some of my students focus on classics, others on contemporary songs, and still others on composition. We gather twice a year for studio recitals.

In addition to Piano by Dzana, I am a mother of three children. I homeschool my oldest and have a first grader and a little princess in Pre-K. I organize a local moms group and enjoy volunteering at school and in activities for my children. I am a hobby photographer and I love to crochet.