Winter 2025 Enrollment Now Available!

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The 13-week Winter Semester begins Monday, January 13, and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by Sunday, January 5, 2025 and receive $50 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Classes" tab to see brief summaries of each class.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester schedule and when each class is offered. Then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying at least the semester deposit. This will ensure your spot for the semester.

  4. New Classes and Class Continuations Offered: Most classes from Fall Semester will continue at the same day and time, as long as it meets the minimum number of students enrolled. A couple of new Winter Semester class that will be offered are:

  • Early/Later Beginners, Thursdays from 4:00p-4:50p or 5:00p-5:50p

  • Adult Piano, Wednesdays from 6:00p-6:50p (meets every other Wednesday)

  • Some individual lessons with a DSoP teacher are available for Winter Semester. Email or Message Ben for availability and more info if you're interested.

The 3-2-1 Practice Method

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One way to organize your, or your student’s, practice time is to try the 3-2-1 Practice Method:

The 3-2-1 Method:

    • Practice 3 six-minute sections.

    • Play through 2 full pieces 2 times each.

    • Pick 1 piece to play for an audience.

Here’s what that can look like:

  1. Start their practice time with pieces that are not yet finished. Pick a section of music (usually 4-8 measures) to focus on for 6 minutes/section and work towards a greater level of accuracy (notes, rhythms, and musical markings), evenness (smooth out pauses and slow down areas that rush), and confidence (multiple repetitions of that section, like 4-6 good reps, will increase confidence). 

  2. Repeat Number 1 for at least 2 more pieces, or a different section of the first piece. Find another piece of music that needs section work, pick a 4-8 measure section to work on, and spend 6 minutes increasing accuracy, evenness, and confidence.

  3. When you play through 2 pieces 2 times each, the first time through, play it with music, down tempo (slower than performance tempo), and firm fingers - all the while, seeking to increase accuracy, evenness, and confidence. The second time through, close your binder and try playing at, or close to, performance tempo (just not faster than performance tempo). 

  4. Finish their practice time with Memorized pieces. In the last 5 minutes of your practice session, treat it like class performance time: pick a piece or two to play for an audience, record yourself, or play like you're in front of an audience and you get one shot to play your piece.

    Try this 3-2-1 Practice Method since every pianist should have pieces they don’t know yet, pieces they’re working on, and pieces they have memorized!

No Classes Today: November 4, 2024

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I have lost my voice so there are NO classes today, Monday, November 4, 2024. Thankfully I feel fine overall - I just can't really speak. As a result, makeup classes for today will be held Monday, November 25, 2024 at your normal class time (there were no classes originally scheduled the week of Thanksgiving). I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. In the meantime, please have your student:

  1. Start their practice time with pieces that are not yet finished. Pick a section of music (usually 4-8 measures) to focus on for 6 minutes/section and work towards a greater level of accuracy (notes, rhythms, and musical markings), evenness (smooth out pauses and slow down areas that rush), and confidence (multiple repetitions of that section, like 4-6 good reps, will increase confidence). 

  2. Repeat Number 1 for at least 2 more pieces, or a different section of the first piece. Find another piece of music that needs section work, pick a 4-8 measure section to work on, and spend 6 minutes increasing accuracy, evenness, and confidence.

  3. Finish their practice time with Memorized pieces. In the last 5 minutes of your practice session, treat it like class performance time: pick a piece or two to play for an audience, record yourself, or play like you're in front of an audience and you get one shot to play your piece.

  4. Organize your practice time into the 3-2-1 Method:

    • Practice 3 six-minute sections. See above.

    • Play through 2 full pieces 2 times each. The first time through, play it with music, down tempo (slower than performance tempo), and firm fingers - all the while, seeking to increase accuracy, evenness, and confidence. The second time through, close your binder and try playing at, or close to, performance tempo (just not faster than performance tempo). 

    • Pick 1 piece to play for an audience, or record yourself playing, or pretend it's performance time and recreate the "performance atmosphere" as you play to end your practice time. 

Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope you all stay healthy!

Fall 2024 Enrollment Now Available!

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The 2024 Fall Semester begins Monday, September 9, and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by September 1, 2024 and receive $50 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester class offerings.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. See when each class is offered, then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. If it’s before September 1, 2024, select the “$50 off PROMO” to receive $50 off your tuition. You can also Venmo your payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal your payment to: ben@diaz.school. Paying the deposit will ensure your spot for the semester.

Don't know which class to enroll for, or you're a new student?  No problem!  Just let us know by filling out the “Contact Us” form and we can set up a way to find the best class for you or your student.

Sign up today to continue - or start - your journey to become a pianist for a lifetime!

Summer Session 2024

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The Summer Session at DSoP begins Monday, June 17 and ends on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Class options and individual lessons are available for both new and returning students. There is more scheduling flexibility for Summer Session, so you can sign up and pay for only the classes you are able to attend, you can pay as you go, or you can sign up for a class each week.

  • Pricing schedule:

    • Each group class is 50 minutes and is $30/class, which includes the class, sheet music, and class materials.

    • Individual lesson pricing is $35 for 30 minutes, or $50 for 45 minutes.

Summer Session Group Class Offerings

Schedule is Subject to Change. If you have a scheduling conflict or have an idea of a class that should be offered, please let us know and we will try to work something out.

MONDAY
Elementary and Middle School Piano: 4:00PM - 4:50PM; for any Elementary aged students with previous piano experience
Middle and High School Piano: 5:00PM - 5:50PM; for any Middle or High School aged students with previous piano experience
Adults Beginners Piano: 6:00PM - 6:50PM; for any Adult with no previous piano experience

TUESDAY
Elementary Beginners Piano: 4:00PM - 4:50PM; for any Elementary aged students with no previous piano experience

WEDNESDAY
No classes offered.

THURSDAY
Middle and High School Piano: 4:00PM - 4:50PM; for any Middle or High School aged students with previous piano experience
Elementary and Middle School Piano: 5:00PM - 5:50PM; for any Elementary aged students with previous piano experience

Studio CLOSED: Thursday, January 11, 2024

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Good afternoon! I am under the weather today and think it's best if I cancel today's classes (Thursday, January11, 2024) to help keep you and your families healthy. I am looking forward to starting the semester next week and I apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause you. I will determine makeup class options at a later time. In the meantime, please encourage your student to review 2-3 pieces that they've previously played as a way to get back into the swing of things. Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions!

Sincerely, Ben Diaz

Winter 2024 Semester Enrollment Now Available!

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The 13-week Winter Semester begins Monday, January 8, and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by Sunday, December 31, 2023 and receive $50 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Classes" tab to see brief summaries of each class.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester schedule and when each class is offered. Then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. You can Venmo your payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal your payment to: ben@diaz.school. I *think* I've fixed the website payment option (which was having issues), but another option is to select the “$50 off PROMO” from the drop down menu and checkout from there. This will ensure your spot for the semester and you will receive your early enrollment discount if submitted on or before December 31, 2024.

  4. New Classes and Class Continuations Offered: Most classes from Winter Semester will continue at the same day and time, as long as it meets the minimum number of students enrolled. A couple of new Winter Semester class that will be offered are:

  • Early/Later Beginners, Wednesdays from 4:00p-4:50p

  • Adult Piano, Wednesdays from 5:00p-5:50p (meets every other Wednesday)

  • Some individual lessons with a DSoP teacher are available for Winter Semester. Email or Message Ben for availability and more info if you're interested.

Fall 2023 In-Class Studio Recitals!

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Students have been working hard to prepare for the in-class studio recital the week of December 11. This week, during class, we will be deciding which piece(s) they will play for their recital. Here is some important information regarding what the recital will look like this semester:

  • There will be a recital option on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the week of December 11. This will take the place of regularly scheduled classes for that week. 

  • The recitals will be in the DSoP studio space at Trinity Church. 

  • Family and Friends are welcome to attend.

  • The options for that week are as follows: (I tried to pick times that were similar to the start of class times, and varied enough for different options for start times.)

    • Monday, December 11: 530p-630p

    • Tuesday, December 12: 5:00p-6:00p

    • Wednesday, December 13: 4:30p-5:30p

    • No Thursday recital. 

  • Students will choose one of those times to perform/attend. You may choose a day that is different than your regularly scheduled class time. For example, if you normally have class on Mondays, but the Tuesday recital time works better for you, then just let me know and I'll schedule you for Tuesday's recital.

  • Families with students in multiple classes can choose which one works best for them. 

  • Please respond to this email by Saturday, December 9 with the following information:

    • If you/your student plans on performing at one of the recitals listed above. (Also, please let me know if you are NOT able to attend any of them). 

    • Which day/time you are planning on attending.

    • The name(s) of your student(s) who is/are performing.

  • There will be light refreshments after each recital as well, so, if you would like to contribute something (like cookies or some type of snack food), please let me know that as well.

Enrollment Discount Extended: September 2, 2023!

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The $50 OFF tuition discount has been extended until Saturday, September 2nd! That means you still have a few more days to see what Fall semester piano classes are being offered, find the right one for you, and enroll before classes begin this coming Tuesday, September 5. As always, please let us know if you need help finding the best class for you and if you have any questions about the upcoming semester!

Fall 2023 Enrollment Now Available!

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The 2023 Fall Semester begins Tuesday, September 5, (only a month away!) and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by August 31, 2023 and receive $50 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester class offerings.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. See when each class is offered, then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. If it’s before August 31, 2023, select the “$50 off PROMO” to receive $50 off your tuition. You can also Venmo your payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal your payment to: ben@diaz.school. Paying the deposit will ensure your spot for the semester.

Don't know which class to enroll for, or you're a new student?  No problem!  Just let us know by filling out the “Contact Us” form and we can set up a way to find the best class for you or your student.

We look forward to helping support you in becoming a pianist for a lifetime!

Summer Session 2023 (Jun 12 - August 24, 2023)

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The 10-week Summer Session starts on Monday, June 12 and ends on Thursday, August 24. Class options and individual lessons are available for both new and returning students. There are no classes the week of July 4 (studio closed July 1-7), the week of July 24 (closed July 24-27), and the week of August 14 (closed August 14-17).

  • Classes are 50-minutes and you can sign up for as little as one class, and as many as 8, but you only pay for the ones you can attend. Pricing schedule:

    • 1-4 classes = $30/class

    • 5-8 classes = $25/class

  • Individual Lessons are 30-minutes in length and $35/lesson.

Summer Session Group Class Offerings

MONDAY
Intermediate Piano (4:00PM - 4:50PM)
Early Beginners Piano (5:00PM - 5:50PM) continued from Spring
High School/Junior High Piano, (6:00PM - 6:50PM)

TUESDAY
By Appointment Only

WEDNESDAY
By Appointment Only

THURSDAY
Elementary Piano (4:00PM - 4:50PM)
Early Beginners Piano (5:00PM - 5:50PM) NEW!

Progression of Class Offerings

  • Early Beginners Piano (Grades K-3, or 0 years of piano)

  • Later Beginners Piano (Grades 4-7, 0 years of piano)

  • Elementary Piano (Grades 1-3, or 1-2 years of Piano)

  • Intermediate Piano (Grades 4-6, or 3-4 years of piano)

  • Junior High Piano (Grades 6-8, or 5-6 years of piano)

  • High School Piano (Grades 9-12, or 6 or more years of piano)

Individual Lesson Offerings

Lesson length options are 30 minutes.
All Individual lessons are by appointment only.

5-Week Spring Session Enrollment

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The 5-week Spring Semester begins Monday, May 1, and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by May 1, 2023 and receive $25 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Classes" tab to see brief summaries of each class.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester schedule and when each class is offered. Then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. You can Venmo your payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal your payment to: ben@diaz.school. I *think* I've fixed the website payment option (which was having issues), but another option is to select the “$25 off PROMO” from the drop down menu and checkout from there. This will ensure your spot for the semester and you will receive your early enrollment discount if submitted on or before May 1, 2023.

  4. New Classes and Class Continuations Offered: Most classes from Winter Semester will continue at the same day and time, as long as it meets the minimum number of students enrolled. Two new Spring Semester classes that will be offered are:

    • Early Beginners, Mondays from 5:30p-6:20p

    • Adult Beginners, Tuesdays from 5:30p-6:20p

    • Some Individual lessons are available for Spring Semester. Email me for availability and more info if you're interested.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your piano instructor and, as always, please let me know if you have any questions!

Fall Semester Classes Start This Week!

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Hey, Everyone! Here are a few things you need to know for Diaz School of Piano as Fall Classes begin this week:

  • Studio Address: Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing 48911

  • Studio Location: Room 222; Enter through Entrance A (Children’s Wing Entrance), turn right, and go to the end of the hallway

  • Things to bring: a 3-ring binder and a pencil. Music packets will be provided at the first class.

  • Enrollment still available! Just send us a message and we’ll help find the right class for you!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and looking forward to working with you this semester!

How to get to Diaz School of Piano at Trinity Church.

New Studio: Progress Picture Updates

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The new Diaz School of Piano is located within Trinity Church (Room 222 of the Children’s) at 3355 Dunckel Rd. I’ll share a video tomorrow with more specific instructions about parking, which entrance to come in, and walk through the new studio itself; but until then, here are a few progress pictures taken today. Looking forward to starting the new semester at the new studio this coming Tuesday, September 6, 2022!

Extended: $50 Off Tuition until September 1, 2022

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Enroll by August 26, 2022 Thursday, September 1 and receive $50 off of tuition! The 2022 Fall Semester begins Tuesday, September 6, and here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Classes" tab to see brief summaries of each class.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester schedule and when each class is offered. Then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. If it’s before September 1, 2022, select the “$50 off PROMO” to receive $50 off your tuition. You can also Venmo payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal a payment to: ben@diaz.school. Paying the deposit will ensure your spot for the semester.

Don't know which class to enroll for, or you're a new student?  No problem!  Just let me know by filling out the “Contact Us” form and we can set up a way to find the best class for you or your student.

I look forward to helping support you in becoming a pianist for lifetime!

How can I get my child to practice the piano more? 3 things to consider.

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As a piano instructor, the most common question I get is this: How can I get my child to practice more? It might seem that your student’s personal motivation and self-discipline might be the only factors, and addressing those two things will inspire endless hours of self-directed piano practice. Offering reward-based and consequence-based outcomes are common tactics for persuading our children to practice more. But, did you know, there are also practical factors to consider that might lead to seeing your student at the piano practicing more?

  1. Consider the placement of your piano in your home. Pianos are often placed in the most visible and highest-traffic areas of the home, like the living room or near an entry way. This is well-intentioned: a beautiful instrument in more visible areas allows it to be appreciated. Your piano is also one of your largest pieces of furniture so there aren’t many options for it to fit in your space, right? But, an unintended consequence is this: while students are in the beginning stages of learning a piece, struggling through practice session after practice session in such a visible manner can be intimidating, embarrassing, and unmotivating. Higher traffic areas can have the most distractions as well. If possible, find a more secluded or private area in your home - like a den, a separate room, or even a finished basement - where uninterrupted practice can occur. If your piano is in the one and only spot in your home that it can fit, don’t worry! A digital piano equipped with headphones makes a great practice instrument. Although they don’t have the unmistakable “touch” of an acoustic piano, technology has come a long way and they’re pretty close - and more affordable. This allows your child the confidence to make mistakes as they learn music in the privacy of their own headphones. If a digital piano isn’t an option, and your piano needs to stay in the busiest part of your home, try intentionally giving your child more space and privacy as they practice, and then check in with them towards the end of their practice time to have them play some of what they’ve learned for you. Most of the your child’s time at the piano is practice time, not performance time - a 5-minute piece often takes dozens of hours to master - so consider your piano placement if you want to see your child at the piano more.

  2. Consider finding more opportunities for your child to share their music (“perform”). What would sports practices look like if there were no games to prepare for? I imagine that the level of engagement, intentionality, and purpose would like a lot different from both the players and the coaches. Playing the piano is similar: if you know you are going to share your music (or “perform”), then your practice time is going to look a bit different. Most piano studios have an end-of-year recital, which is great, but not frequent enough to develop the confidence and courage to consistently practice. If your student is in band or choir at school, have them consider playing for their teacher - or even the class - once a semester. Consider group-class piano lessons where there is the opportunity to not only share your music with your classmates on a weekly basis, you also get added benefit of listening to your fellow pianists each week - learning from them, encouraging them, and being inspired by them. Consider connecting with a local assisted living home and share the gift of music with those who are unable to go to a live concert anymore. The more opportunities your child has on their calendar to share their music, the more frequent and intentional their piano practice will be.

  3. Consider shorter practice sessions. Yes, I know… the whole point of this article is to get your child to practice more, and I just suggested shorter practice sessions. But what seems backwards can actually be more effective and sustainable. A 45-minute block of time for anything nowadays - much less a daily practice session at the piano - seems like a really big commitment, doesn’t it? An expectation like this in piano practicing typically leads to “binge” practice sessions, where your child might not practice the first 5 days after a lesson, but then crams in a 75-minute one the night before their the next lesson. Instead, consider shorter practice session expectations. Much shorter. Like 6-minutes. Yes, SIX minutes. In the 1st minute, choose a small section of music your child needs to work on (typically 4-8 measures) and commit to working on ONLY that section of music for the next 5 minutes. In Minutes 2-5, focus on increasing their ACCURACY of notes, their EVENNESS of your tempo, and their CONFIDENCE as they play. In the 6th minute, REVIEW that small section by playing through it. Ideally, your child would do a series of these 6-minute practice sessions, depending on their age and level, which can be worked out with your piano teacher. But any age, any level, and just about any schedule can use this practice tool to increase the frequency of practice time, frequency of the sense of accomplishment, and frequency of taking the next step towards becoming a pianist for a lifetime!

What suggestions do you have? Or what questions would you like answered? Comment below!

Fall Semester 2022 Schedule and Enrollment Available Now!

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The 2022 Fall Semester begins Tuesday, September 6, and classes are now available for enrollment.  Enroll by August 26, 2022 and receive $50 off of tuition!  Here's how to enroll online:

  1. Visit our website at diaz.school to see what classes are available. Click on the "Classes" tab to see brief summaries of each class.

  2. Pick the right class for you and reserve your spot. Click on the "Enroll" tab to see the semester schedule and when each class is offered. Then fill out the “Reserve My Spot!” form indicating the class that works best for you by filling out the form.

  3. Ensure your spot. Ensure your spot by paying the semester deposit, or the full semester tuition. If it’s before August 26, 2022, select the “$50 off PROMO” to receive $50 off your tuition. You can also Venmo payment to: @DiazSchoolofPiano, or PayPal a payment to: ben@diaz.school. Paying the deposit will ensure your spot for the semester.

Don't know which class to enroll for, or you're a new student?  No problem!  Just let me know by filling out the “Contact Us” form and we can set up a way to find the best class for you or your student.

I look forward to helping support you in becoming a pianist for lifetime!

Moving Sale! 🎹

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With the studio moving in about a month or so from now, there are 10 total Acoustic Pianos and Digital Keyboards for sale from the Diaz School of Piano Studio!

- Conover “Fairy Grand” 5’ Baby Grand Piano: $875. Refurbished by Kollar Piano Services. Very good condition. Adjustable piano bench included. Local pick-up.

- Yamaha upright piano, Natural Oak finish: $300. Very good condition. Matching bench included. Local pick-up.

- Williams Digital console piano: $95. Full-sized keys and weighted action with graded hammer touch. Includes bench. Good condition. 8 available. Local pick-up.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in one of these wonderful instruments, please let us know!