ABOUT THE FAMILY PIANO ACADEMY Family Piano Academy (FPA) is a piano education practice serving piano students of all ages and skill levels at two convenient studio locations in Raleigh, NC. FPA was founded in October of 2007 by Gerry Diamond, an educator/professional musician with 15 years of experience in piano education. FPA offers instruction in private, duet, and group class settings. FPA boasts highly credentialed, experienced, and friendly teachers. FPA is home to the Diamond Piano Method, a 12-volume series of short piano works that gradually builds students’ understanding of music theory in a way that enables them to not only read and perform progressively more challenging pieces of music, but also to create their own improvisations and compositions at the piano in an ever more informed manner. Family Piano Academy invites all interested students to attend a no obligation, free trial lesson. ABOUT GERRY Thanks to his parents, Gerry Diamond was introduced to piano through formal lessons at the age of 4. From that young age through high school, Gerry studied eagerly under two highly respected teachers in the Long Island, New York area in which he was raised. After high school, Gerry continued his studies at Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA. He graduated summa cum laude in 1989 with a degree in composition. Throughout the early 90's Gerry worked as a performing musician. He settled in the Raleigh area as a result of some friends attending NC State's graduate schools. He began teaching piano in 1992. He enjoyed teaching so much, that he opened his own studio in 1993 (Diamond Piano Academy-Quail Corners Commons). Gerry operated Diamond Piano Academy until 2002. During this time, he created the Diamond Piano Method, a 12 book course of study that introduces young musicians to the music theory fundamentals that create the music they are learning to play. In 2002, Gerry merged Diamond Piano Academy with partners running businesses that specialized in visual arts instruction and summer camp development. He spent the next 4 years helping his new partners open piano studios in several locations in the Charlotte, Cary, and Winston Salem areas. Eager to return to the classroom and concentrate on curriculum development, Gerry opened Family Piano Academy on October 1, 2007. Gerry recently celebrated his 10th anniversary with his wife Sue. They have 3 great kids who love to sit at the piano: Grace (5), Owen (4), and Megan (1). FPA CURRICULUM When Gerry Diamond arrived at Berklee College of Music to begin his composition study, he was dismayed to discover that he knew very little about music theory. He doesn�'t fault his piano teachers for this, because for centuries, piano instruction has been focused on performance. However, as Gerry studied key structure, scale structure, and chord structure in his Berklee composition classes, he discovered that his piano playing improved dramatically. Suddenly, he was able to see written music in "chunks" rather than individual notes. And perhaps even more satisfying, Gerry found that his ability to improvise at the piano was greatly enhanced. Years later, when Gerry began his teaching career, he found that the piano method books available to his students largely ignored the music theory that had proven so helpful to his own playing (and enjoyment). So, for a couple of years, Gerry supplemented the method books his students were using with handouts that sought to tie in the missing theory (key structure, scale structure, and chord structure). This worked pretty well, but Gerry often found himself wishing the pieces his students were playing had been written with the teaching of the theory in mind, so as to more plainly present the particular theory item being learned. To improve this, Gerry started writing his own short compositions that plainly showed the theory item of study being put into practice (complete with goofy lyrics to try to draw the students in). After a while, Gerry realized he had enough compositions tested and enjoyed by his students to start compiling his own books. That was in 1995, and that was the birth of the Diamond Piano Method. Since that time, Gerry has continued the development of his method. The method now includes 12 books (each approximately 17-22 lessons worth of material) and teaches students improvisation and composition all the while they are learning to sight read and play written music with increasing technical facility and musicianship. The Diamond Piano Method is not about grooming young musicians for a career as concert pianists. Rather, the emphasis on theory, improvisation, and composition hopes to build a firm understanding of music that will allow each student to participate in and enjoy music throughout his or her life in any setting he or she chooses. FACILIITIES The teaching rooms at both of the Family Piano Academy studios are equipped with the latest in digital piano technology. Studios at the 901 Paverstone Drive location (North Raleigh - Greystone) are designed to host all three types of lessons: private, duet and group. The presence of digital teaching consoles and microphoned headsets allow the students in duet and group instruction to concentrate on only the piano(s) and voice(s) that the teacher chooses for them to hear. The studio at the 1637 Glenwood Avenue location (Five Points - inside the beltline) is designed to host only private instruction. Family Piano Academy seeks provides an attractive, bright environment for study. Every teaching room at both locations has large windows that provide a relaxing view and lots of natural light. The studios are spacious and provide a listening chair for family or friends who wish to sit in on a lesson. A comfortable, quiet waiting area and restrooms are available at both locations. TEACHER SCHEDULES 901 Paverstone Drive (North Raleigh - Greystone) Studio B (private/duet) Studio C (private/duet) Montessori School of Raleigh 1637 Glenwood Avenue (Five Points - inside the beltline) GROUP LESSONS Group lessons are one hour in length and serve 3-6 students. Group lessons utilize a teaching console that allows each student to hear any combination of his or her piano, the teacher piano, the teacher microphone, and the other students’ pianos. This allows students both distraction free practice time and the opportunity to play in an ensemble setting. A student in a group lesson is placed in a class that suits both the age and experience level of the student. Lesson plans are organized to provide a range of performance difficulty so that rapidly advancing students are appropriately challenged. Group lessons use the Diamond Piano Method (DPM). Most students take about 5-6 years to complete the DPM. Students of any level are permitted to switch lesson formats any time they wish (private to group, group to private, private to duet etc…), but all students completing the DPM Level 6b move forward in private lessons. DUET LESSONS Duet lessons are usually 30 minutes in length. There are two kinds of duets. The first is a duet made up of two students of similar level, experience, and learning ability. The second is a duet made up of a parent and child. In the second setting, the lessons progress at the child’s pace. Like the group classes, duet lessons always employ teaching console headsets to enable students to play/practice without distraction. PRIVATE LESSONS Private lessons are usually 30 minutes in length. For most students, this is the right amount of time. When a student requires a longer lesson, 45 minute or 60 minute lessons can be arranged. Beginning and intermediate students in private lessons use the Diamond Piano Method books of the proper level along with any additional materials that the student finds interesting and the teacher deems to be appropriate supplements. Students who have advanced beyond the Diamond Piano Method material work on the combination of classical, jazz, popular music, improvisation and songwriting that suits their interests. POLICIES 1. Every interested student gets a free trial lesson. TESTIMONIALS "I was delighted to find a piano teacher for my child that allowed my child to follow his own interests in music and piano. Gerry's curriculum taught my child the techinques and basics that are required in learning to play the piano however he always incorporated contemporary music for him to play at his current level. He always will remember learning to play, 'Soak up the Sun!'" "I've known Gerry Diamond and his piano students for 15 years now. My piano store has hosted dozens of Gerry's student recitals over the years, and I've been consistently impressed with both the quality of his students' performances and the relaxed, fun atmosphere that his recitals have." "I have taught piano in the Raleigh area for ten years. As a teacher, I am always trying to find the very best piano lesson book material. The Diamond Piano Method has worked extremely well with my students. It is rooted strongly in music theory and moves at a pace that I've found to be appropriate for most students. Gerry Diamond is a talented composer and songwriter whose music really connects with the student-performer." FAQ Q: Do we have to have a piano at home? A: No, a 61-key, electronic keyboard (or any electronic keyboard with even more keys) is great. The 5 octave range of a 61-key keyboard is fine for the first 3-5 years of study. The childrens' curriculum carefully avoids any material that would exceed the range of such a keyboard. 61-key keyboards are available at many "warehouse club" stores for between $100-$150. The technology with which these instruments are created is extremely advanced. I have found them to be very durable and good sounding. If purchasing a practice instrument with which to begin lessons, I recommend starting with a 61-key electronic keyboard. It will be a long time before the student outgrows it and it sure beats having to sink a great deal of money into an instrument that you're not completely sure will get a lot of use. Q: Can students learn as well and progress as quickly in a group lesson, rather than in more traditional private instruction? A: In almost every instance, my answer is a very strong YES. Unless a student is either struggling to grasp the material or grasping the material incredibly quickly (in my 10 years of teaching both group and private lessons, I estimate this to only be about 3%-5% of students), group lessons are a great way to learn. While it's a bit counter intuitive, I believe that in most cases, students learn better in the group setting. I think there are three main reasons for this. The first reason is that in the group setting, students have to work very autonomously during the class. This helps to quickly develop their ability to practice independently while under the supervision and guidance of the teacher. It is also impossible for the teacher to "over coach" or "over help" a group student, whereas this can easily occur in a private lesson resulting in a piece being played properly, but not being understood. The second reason is that the music theory that is covered by the curriculum is more effectively presented via games. Theory games are more fun in the group setting, and most students respond really enthusiastically to them. (Please note: the games are always the whole class against the teacher/material, so in no instance is a student "beaten" by another student.) The third reason that group lessons can be so effective is that students learn a tremendous amount by playing ensembles. Private students can play duets with the teacher, but since the teacher is experienced, the teacher can cover for a multitude of tempo errors. Not so in a "student played" ensemble. The students learn very quickly how important it is to keep steady and to keep track of the music on the page as they are playing. Ensembles really help to drive home the importance of repetition and practice. CONTACT US For scheduling information or questions about curriculum, please call us at 919-847-1180. Or email us at gerry@familypianoacademy.com. |