Cincinnati Music Academy

The piano department of Cincinnati Music Academy is supervised by CMA co-owners Amy Immerman and Wayne Wilkinson. The talented teachers that comprise the piano faculty offer a variety of piano study alternatives. Students range in experience from beginners to advanced and in age from three years old to adults of all ages.

Languages

The following Cincinnati Music Academy teachers speak English and the language(s) indicated.

Japanese — Takako Hayase, Chinami Ikeda and Yali Wright.
Chinese (Mandarin) — Yali Wright.
Korean — Soyoon Yim .

Suzuki method

Some CMA teachers teach using the world-famous Suzuki method (see center column). For information about the Suzuki method, go here.

Many styles of teaching

Wayne Wilkinson, Brian Batchelor-Glader, Chinami Ikeda, Geanna Schwaegerle and Richard VanDyke are traditional teachers who offer a blend of music styles, instruction and lessons.
Amy Immerman, Joan Chrislip, Teresa Glenn, Takako Hayase, Alex Thio, Yali Wright and Soyoon Yim teach using both traditional and Suzuki methods.
Wayne Wilkinson and Brian Batchelor-Glader also teach jazz and “pop” styling and improvising.
Amy Immerman, Joan Chrislip, Geanna Schwaegerle, Beth Sedgwick, Alex Thio and Richard VanDyke participate in the National Music Certificate Program (NMCP) (formerly RACE program).

Events

Many of the piano teachers at CMA are active in the area music community. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including the Junior Music Experience, Junior Festival, and events sponsored by the Ohio Music Teachers Association (OMTA), including the Auditions Festival, Concerto Competition, Masquerade Musicale and Piano Play-A-Thon.

Some teachers offer various group lessons and other activities. These are opportunities for students to explore many aspects of music and to perform for one another in a low-stress environment.

Many CMA piano teachers offer student recitals.

More information

If you have questions that aren’t answered here, or would like to inquire about piano lessons for your children or yourself, please write piano@cmamusic.org or call (513) 956-9373.

Teachers

Click any name for more information.

Amy Immerman Department head and co-owner, Cincinnati Music Academy. Traditional and Suzuki piano. Age 3 through adult; all levels. Large adult studio. Active member of Ohio Music Teachers Association; students participate in Junior Music Festival, Junior Music Experience, NMCP exams, OMTA events, composition. Lots of student opportunities.	Wayne Wilkinson Department head and co-owner, Cincinnati Music Academy. Traditional piano for beginning and intermediate adults, older children and teenagers. Also jazz and “pop” styling and improvising, playing from “Lead Sheets” and “Fake Books” for students who have already had the basics.
Brian Batchelor-Glader Traditional piano lessons including theory for children and adults. Also jazz, popular music and improvisation. Brian is a professional jazz and rock keyboard player performing in the tri-state area.	Joan Chrislip Traditional lessons in classical and popular music to students age 6 and up; Suzuki lessons for beginning young children; lessons for adults. Joan’s goal is to give her students the basic skills necessary to become lifelong musicians and lovers of music.	Teresa Glenn Traditional and Suzuki piano, music history, theory and literature for all ages. My mission is to teach students to share my love and appreciation for the joy of music and to develop skills they can apply to all aspects of their lives.
Takako Hayase Suzuki and traditional instruction on classical music. All ages welcome from three years old to adult. Suzuki instruction includes supplemental work, particularly on note reading and rhythmic dictation.	Chinami Ikeda Instruction for students of all ages and levels using traditional piano methods.	Geanna Schwaegerle Traditional piano lessons from beginners to advanced starting at age six to adult. Geanna maintains a large studio and also enjoys teaching home school children.
Beth Sedgwick Classical, popular, jazz and other styles for children and adults. Traditional teaching methods supplemented with opportunities for composition.	Alex Thio Instructing and motivating pianists of all ages and levels using traditional and Suzuki piano methods. Versed in a wide range of styles: from “classical” to pop improvisation.	Richard VanDyke Founding teacher of National Music Certificate Program (NMCP) (formerly RACE program), teaching traditional piano lessons to students of all ages and abilities, specializing in advancing students.
Yali Wright Traditional and Suzuki instruction for adults and children.	Soyoon Yim Traditional and Suzuki Piano instruction, beginning to advanced students. All ages are welcome. Focus on developing, from an early age, solid technique and musicianship through various methods.