I’ve had the joy of working with wonderful students and families over the years. Here are a few of their experiences in their own words.
“I played because I wanted to.”
Elena has been my piano teacher for nine years. Out of every single extracurricular activity I started when I was 7, I have slowly cut out every single one, except for my weekly piano lessons. Managing to turn a child from one that dreaded attending lessons (with a previous teacher) to one that gravitates toward any piano in any room is an impressive feat, and I very much commend Elena for such.
The journey was not linear at all–there were many years I struggled to motivate myself to do anything, much less practice–but Elena stuck with me the entire time. I never felt as if I was being pressured to play. I played because I wanted to, and because Elena had instilled in me a love of music and piano that I thought would never be possible.
Elena frequently goes beyond simply teaching piano. It’s clear that she cares about me, both as a person and as a student. She gives me meaningful advice on how to practice in a way that would be effective for me, and has supported me even beyond piano lessons, helping me through some of the most difficult periods of my life. Even during the days I struggled to play at all, she was incredibly understanding and patient.
Years ago, for me, music was for late night, exhausting practice sessions, and seemingly endless competitions. I couldn’t comprehend the idea of playing because I wanted to. If you magically teleported to the much younger version of myself and told her “You will adore playing the piano when you’re older,” I would have looked at you in complete bewilderment. And yet, it happened.
I can’t thank Elena more, for her patience and understanding, for her kindness and care, and for her genuine love for music and teaching music.
–Lan-Chi, student for a decade
Years after our lessons ended, Lan-Chi shared that she had bought a piano of her own: “I’ve finally been able to start playing again. It feels great. I’ve been missing it for all these years.”
“Our time together has been about more than the beautiful music.”
Having Ms. Elena Le as a teacher and mentor for our son has been a blessing. She has guided him while at the same time allowed him to feel in control of his own development. She uses compassion and kindness to reach my son and gently gives him encouragement to push beyond his comfort level and ability to improve each and every lesson.
I highly recommend Ms. Elena Le and am even thinking about taking up the piano myself.
— Brandi, Piano Mom
And she did! After Jaden’s nine years of piano lessons, Brandi became my student herself—and performed in our Annual Piano Celebration.
Ms. Elena is a wonderful piano teacher. She has a wonderful balance of passion, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and creativity. I’m thrilled that we found Ms. Elena for our son Jaden.
— Jerry, Piano Dad
“When I see that I can make progress, I get encouraged.”
I am an adult taking piano lessons with Elena. An adult usually gives up early because it takes so much time to practice without getting much results. But I stay on because Elena is very patient at listening to me playing, picking up my weaknesses and showing me how to correct those weak points by practicing in a smart way.
When I see that I can make progress by following her methods, I get encouraged and enjoy playing the songs correctly. Elena is a very effective piano teacher for adults and kids alike.
— Chau, Adult Student
“Lessons became something my kid actually looked forward to every week.”
Elena Le is outstanding and so fun to work with! When I was a kid, piano lessons felt like a chore, but right from the start Elena made lessons something my kid actually looked forward to every week. She creates a personal connection with her students and finds what motivates them, so that they WANT to learn.
My son has been working with her for nearly 4 years and we’ve seen huge progress in his musical skill. Together they work on technique, theory, and everything in between. We started with really basic music that you’d expect from a 4th grader and now as a 7th grader he’s playing long complicated pieces of current music. As a student, he gets to choose music that is meaningful to him, which makes practice fun and engaging.
Elena also comes to your house for lessons, so you get to learn on your own piano in the comfort of your home.
Our whole family highly recommends Elena!
— Anne, Piano Mom
Max went on to study with me for six years. A year after our lessons ended, Anne invited me over for tea–and Max and I got to catch up.
“I ended up advancing much farther than I ever thought I could.”
I took an unusual path to learning the piano. I decided to start taking lessons when I was nineteen, during the last six months before I left for college. Both of my parents had grown up hating their piano teachers and their methods, so I was wary of ending up in the same situation. Turns out my fears were completely unnecessary!
Elena worked with me from the very beginning of my lessons to make sure that I achieved all I wanted to during the six months we worked together, and checked up with me along the way, so that I ended up advancing much farther than I ever thought I could in such a short period of time.
Starting with piano iPad apps and my choice of beginning books, Elena got me playing and sight-reading within the first few weeks of our lessons. After a few months of lessons, we had built an amazing repertoire of songs that I absolutely loved to play.
I am sad to have to bid Elena goodbye now that I am moving across the country, but she has inspired me to keep playing as much as I can, and left me with a big stack of pieces to learn in the future. I can’t wait. 🙂
— Alyssa, began piano at 19
“I have always wanted to have lovely music resonate in our household.”
Elena has been teaching my two sons to play the piano for over 4 years. In this time, it has been such an amazing and rewarding period for our family.
For much of their lives, my boys have participated in so many extracurricular activities, yet only experienced generally moderate satisfaction from any of them. With all that they have tried, we have finally found that it is piano playing that has been the most enjoyable. I know this is all due to Elena and her instruction.
On behalf of my entire family, I have always wanted to have lovely music resonate in our household. Thanks to Elena, I can now say that this happens – and it is magical! Not only has she taught my sons the lovely songs that we have adored in our lives, but she has also somehow instilled in both of them an eagerness to engage in impromptu practice sessions.
The fact that the boys do so with such regularity and without my even having to ask is testimony to just how enjoyable Elena has made piano playing for them. I see in them a clear ongoing desire to improve and deliver, and it is heartwarming.
I can only conclude by sharing that I do not feel my family is only receiving quality lessons. Thanks to Elena, we are also receiving a gift.
— Gary, Piano Dad
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