Private Piano Lessons in Cincinnati — Learn, Create, and Grow
Cincinnati Music Academy’s Private Piano Program helps students of all ages discover their potential through one-on-one instruction. With expert teachers, flexible scheduling, and lessons built around your goals, CMA makes learning piano enjoyable and rewarding — with no long-term commitments.
What Are Private Piano Lessons?
Cincinnati Music Academy offers private piano lessons for children, teens, and adults in a supportive, goal-focused environment. Students can explore classical, jazz, or pop styles while developing reading, technique, and musicianship skills. Lessons are tailored to your interests and learning pace, ensuring consistent progress whether you’re preparing for performances, college auditions, or simply playing for fun.
- Weekly 30–60 minute private lessons
- Classical, jazz, and pop styles available
- Integrated theory, technique, and ear training
- Optional recitals and performance opportunities
- Lesson plans customized for each student’s goals
- Flexible scheduling — no long-term commitments
What to Expect in Piano Lessons
Lessons are personalized for each student. You’ll work one-on-one with your instructor to strengthen reading, rhythm, and expression while learning the music you love. CMA teachers balance structured technique with creativity, helping you stay motivated and confident week after week.
Who Are Piano Lessons Perfect For?
Kids & Teens
Young students build confidence, focus, and creativity while learning to read music and perform comfortably. CMA instructors make lessons fun and engaging, blending structure with inspiration.
Adults & Hobbyists
Adults of all backgrounds rediscover or begin piano in a relaxed environment. Lessons can be casual or goal-driven — ideal for stress relief, personal growth, or long-term skill building.
How Private Piano Lessons Work
Placement
A short conversation helps match you with a teacher aligned with your goals, schedule, & musical interests.
Lessons
Weekly sessions blend technique, sight-reading, rhythm, and repertoire—customized for your pace and preferences.
Progress
Students receive regular feedback and optional performance goals through recitals or studio events.
Flexibility
CMA’s independent instructors offer adaptable lesson times and formats throughout the year.
Meet Your Piano Coaches
Experienced, university-trained instructors who make learning piano personal and approachable
Natasha Pence is an active teacher and pianist in the Greater Cincinnati area. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Eastern Kentucky University and the Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from Northern Kentucky University. Natasha is a co-owner of the Cincinnati Music Academy and director of the piano department.
Amy Immerman is one of Cincinnati’s most active and well-known piano teachers, specializing in traditional and recreational lessons. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University. She is a Permanent National Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). Amy was Founder and Co-owner of Cincinnati Music Academy from 1997-2022.
Brian Batchelor-Glader enjoys teaching traditional piano lessons to children and adults from beginning to intermediate classical piano and advanced jazz piano. He is a professional gigging musician in the tri-state area and has performed all around the world, including the U.S., Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He really loves teaching improvisation to all ages of students. His students range in age from 6 to 83.
Larry Feldner holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
Cincinnati native Teresa Glenn began her official music study at the age of six. Years of experience in teaching piano has enhanced her own indelible love of music.
Melinda Hickman has a passion for helping people work toward their musical goals. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to very advanced. She believes that every person who wants to learn music can do so, no matter their age, ability, or disability. Her teaching style is to offer encouragement and respect to her students, while working together toward high standards.
Loretta Graner enjoys helping people of all ages and ability find joy in reaching their musical potential. Lessons focus on acquisition of the technical, cognitive, and artistic skills required for independent learning and realization of students’ goals and aspirations. Performance and evaluation opportunities are offered and a spirit of collaboration is encouraged. Dr. Graner has been teaching piano, serving as a piano and harp adjudicator, and developing music programs for area churches since coming here to pursue the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.
As a composer, jazz and classical pianist, and freelance arranger, James has a diverse musical background which inspires his teaching of classical and jazz piano, improvisation and composition. Holding a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), he offers a creative approach to learning aimed at creating strong technique and encouraging personal expression. With a vast repertory spanning many styles, and including personal arrangements for students, James has resounding success with adults and beginners alike, guiding each student on their personal musical path to success.
Hannah MacNeal is a multi-instrumentalist who has been professionally teaching violin and viola since 2016. In the past, she has worked worked with MYCincinnati and Cincinnati Strings, leading group classes and teaching violin, viola, guitar, and piano. She has experience teaching students from the age of three to retired folks, and she works under the belief that music is truly meant for everyone. Hannah has a bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).
Mary Tan promotes a classical foundation that provides technical skills transferable to many genres and styles.
Irene Reising, a coloratura soprano from Cincinnati, OH, has been performing with multiple opera companies and has also been teaching private voice and piano since 2017. As a voice and piano instructor, Ms. Reising deeply believes in a healthy technique being the most important skill developed in lessons. Ms. Reising will work with her students to find appropriate repertoire to fit each student’s instrument. In her studio, the students will work on growing their confidence in performing and expressing themselves as a musician through appropriately deemed repertoire. The students will also cultivate an appreciation of music and gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of music.
“As your piano instructor, my goal is to provide an atmosphere for musical, emotional, and intellectual stimulation. To reach this, I will take the necessary steps to teach basic or advance skills of piano and musicianship in private or group settings. My personal goal is to motivate, educate and encourage my students to reach their individual potential.” “I prepare my students based in five principles that through practice produce a good interpretation and performance of the pieces. Those principles are: Analysis, Aural, Technique, History, and Imagination.”
Richard Van Dyke specializes in taking students to their highest potential. With the studio motto, “Practice to Prosper,” his highly motivated students work diligently to successfully perform repertoire from beginning through virtuoso levels by incorporating technique, music theory, music history, ear-training and collaborative music into regularly scheduled lessons.
Xiaoming Zhu (Shao-ming Choo, aka “Mr. Z”) started his piano journey at the tender age of 3-1/2 in his native country of China. At age 12, he was accepted into the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China, the biggest music conservatory worldwide. At age 18, he moved to Cincinnati with a full scholarship to study piano performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. CCM is ranked as one of the top five music schools nationwide. At CCM, Mr. Zhu earned two Bachelor degrees (Piano Performance and Music Education) and a Masters degree in Piano Performance.
Ms. Dieterlen teaches students of all ages and abilities. Lessons encompass theory, technique, ear training, and sight reading all focused toward increasing the ability to speak a musical language and deepen the student’s relationship with sound.
What our Students & Families Say
Abby
Piano
Brooke
Piano
Piano Lesson Questions
Anyone ages 5 and up — from young beginners to adults starting fresh.
CMA offers classical, jazz, and pop instruction, with flexibility to mix styles.
Weekly lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes, depending on your goals and level.
No. Recitals and showcases are optional and low-pressure.
Yes. Private piano lessons run year-round, and new students can begin anytime based on teacher availability.
Yes. Having a piano or full-size digital keyboard at home helps you make steady progress between lessons. If you’re just getting started, your teacher can recommend affordable, beginner-friendly digital pianos or keyboards that fit your space and budget.
Filling out one of the below forms is not a commitment to start paying for lessons; it simply lets us know you are ready to get started.
Filling out one of the below forms is not a commitment to start paying for lessons; it simply lets us know you are ready to get started.