PIANO LESSONS AT OCTOPUS
Piano lessons at Octopus Music School are taught using our proprietary OPUS curriculum (Octopus Poly-Instrumental Units of Study). OPUS consists of ten grade levels, each with a requisite assessment and certification. With consistent practice at recommended intervals, our carefully designed curriculum prepares students to quickly advance from day one by equipping them with the necessary tools and scaffolding to build a comprehensive understanding of the piano. In addition to learning note-reading, rhythm interpretation, and proper technique, students are exposed to theory, aural training, music appreciation, and collaborative courses with peers to help cultivate an immersive environment in which to thrive.
Lessons are still tailored to individuals' unique learning needs, and repertoire remains flexible so that students are able to learn music which interests them, however the core content and benchmarks have been standardized to ensure fast and steady progress for students of all ages and skill levels.
What students learn in lessons is important but equally important is how they apply that knowledge. At Octopus, students collaborate with their peers in bands and ensembles, play for friends at family at our many performance opportunities, and have access to masterclasses conducted by our staff and special guests.
FIND YOUR PIANO TEACHER
DANIEL F,
DIRECTOR OF PIANO STUDIES
At Octopus, each of our instrument families has a Department Director who oversees the curriculum, conducts staff trainings, and plans instrument-specific masterclasses and performance events for students. Our Department Directors track all students' progress, perform monthly teaching staff check-ins, and are a resource for teachers and students alike.
"The piano is one of the most versatile musical instruments. With over 300 years of history, its repertoire covers many different genres and time periods from Baroque music to Jazz. Piano lessons at OMS are focused on offering students a deep dive into the piano technique and our students are encouraged to learn pieces from different composers and periods. Our OPUS curriculum helps students cover technical requirements that are fundamental to achieve fluency on the instrument while learning a diverse selection of pieces. OMS piano students also have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive piano competition in addition to preparing for semi-annual recitals. Come to one of our four locations to have an introductory lesson and start this exciting journey with us!"
-Daniel F, Director of Piano Studies
Daniel started studying music at twelve and, by nineteen, was studying piano at Fundação das Artes in São Caetano do Sul with Claudio Tegg. He began composing for musical theater and short films during this time and has been dedicated to composition ever since. Daniel has participated in various Brazilian music festivals, including the International Piano Festivals in Piracicaba and Vale do Aço. In 2016, his piece 'Respirateur' was premiered by Roger Admiral at Alberta University. He has also performed at U.S. festivals like MusikFest, Newark Porch Music Fest, and Oregon Piano Summer Music Festival, often collaborating with Alexandre Dossin. His compositional style blends classical influences from Scriabin, Chopin, Ravel, Schumann, and Brahms with jazz and Brazilian music. Currently, Daniel focuses on piano pedagogy, preparing students for competitions and performances in New Jersey and New York.
FIND YOUR PIANO TEACHER
In addition to weekly private lessons, students at Octopus may enroll in one of our amazing band or ensemble programs where they learn a repertoire of songs and prepare for performances in and out of our schools!
In addition to our traditional classical chamber ensembles, we encourage our piano students to participate in our pop and rock groups. The piano is an important part of these bands as they establish an important connection between rhythm and melody instruments.
COLLABORATIVE
OPPORTUNITIES
FIND YOUR PIANO TEACHER
PERFORMANCES
& EVENTS
At Octopus, we believe that the cornerstone of a well-rounded music education must emphasize performance. To that end, OMS curates a multitude of opportunities for students to showcase their hard work throughout the year. From our bi-annual Showcase Series to festivals and community events to our annual piano competition, piano students at Octopus have countless ways to hone their skills in front of an audience.
We also offer curated piano masterclasses on a quarterly basis for all enrolled piano students. Masterclasses are a group setting where one of our staff members or a special guest provides focused instruction to students and an audience. The format is different from a private lesson or formal concert; the goal is to create a learning opportunity for both the performers and observers, and for everyone to leave with new insights.
