Growing Musicians Through
Creativity, Movement, and Meaningful Music-Making
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Our studio is a space for joy and growth
In our studio, children learn music by actively experiencing it, listening, singing, moving, creating and playing.
Over the years, our teaching has grown alongside our students and families, developing into a thoughtful approach that brings together musicianship, healthy technique, movement, creativity and music literacy.
Our goal is to help students become confident, expressive and independent musicians while feeling known, capable and excited to learn. Our teaching remains responsive to the needs and development of each student within the group.
Pilar is a wonderful teacher…patient, talented, funny, knowledgeable and employs a variety of teaching methods. She makes learning piano for my 6 year old son simple and fun. Both his confidence and piano playing skills have improved tremendously and he is so excited about learning music, thanks to Pilar. I highly recommend her.
Programs
Thoughtfully designed small-group programs for different ages and stages
Tiny Piano Friends
A joyful introduction to music and the piano through play, movement and exploration
Piano Friends
Building strong foundations through creativity, movement, musicianship and learning together
Adult Piano Groups
A welcoming space for adult beginners and returning musicians
Group programs offered in English and Spanish
Music Learning in English and Spanish
P&D Music Education offers group programs in both English and Spanish, welcoming families from many backgrounds. Some students learn in a language already spoken at home, while others join Spanish-language groups to strengthen their Spanish through music, movement, singing and interaction.
Students should be able to understand and participate comfortably in the language of their selected group.
Why We Learn Together
As Professor Doris Pronin Fromberg explains in her TedxTalk, “We need to consider that young children learn in quite different ways. They learn by comparing physical experiences, by interactions with other people and their own feelings. And they learn an enormous amount through their imagination and pretense…. Play is what pulls together the logical and creative parts of the brain”.
Group lessons are a meaningful and effective way to learn piano. Positive group experiences help develop stronger communication skills, improves concentration, help build self-confidence and best of all, it is always exciting to meet new friends and make music together!
BUILD CONFIDENCE AND BELONGING
Making music with others helps students become comfortable performing, contributing and growing as musicians.
LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER
Research shows that when students learn by observing their peers, their learning process is much faster.
A group setting makes lessons engaging and upbeat, an effective pathway to build on fundamental skills like rhythm, ear training and technique.
ACTIVE LEARNING
Group piano provides an environment for “active learning” (learn by doing). Students are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems and learn from one another.
Pilar Plazas has taught piano to my daughter for almost three years. She is an amazing and truly gifted teacher. Not only has my daughter progressed so much in her understanding of the technical aspects of playing piano and reading music, but Pilar has helped her truly become a musician – understanding the emotion behind music and helping her convey true feeling in her playing. Pilar has a creative and engaging approach to her teaching, which kept my daughter interested and challenged in her lessons. We couldn’t be happier with the piano music education that Pilar has provided.
Ms. Pilar was my daughter’s first piano teacher, and we loved her! My daughter came so far in the 2 years we were with Ms. Pilar. I saw her piano skills grow exponentially, as well as her love for playing. Thank you Ms. Pilar!
Piano ParentMr. Rincon, thank you so much for your incredibly innovative, creative, engaging and fun lessons! My children love your classes and you as a teacher, and they look forward to music days so much. They were just singing the elevator/jumping off the building activity today at breakfast. Your gift for teaching is a gift for all of us – Thank you for all you do.
School ParentMs Pilar is a wonderful piano teacher for children. She is very patient and very communicative with kids. My daughter feels very comfortable and enjoys learning piano with Ms Pilar. It’s been a great experience , learning piano can be fun and happy. We are grateful to have you Ms. Pilar!
Piano ParentMrs. Pilar really cares about my daughter. She has received the best in music education with lots of fun and joy.
Piano ParentIt has been a privilege for me to mentor Pilar in the art of advanced piano and pedagogy. She brings refreshing perspective, keen sensitivity and, most of all, a joyful and whole-hearted approach to her music making at the piano. Pilar is not only extraordinarily gifted as an educator, but she is an extraordinary human being as well. I would happily be in her group or private lessons if I could be a child again!
Chee-Hwa Tan, NCTM Composer – Pianist – EducatorSchedule a Meet & Greet
Meet Pilar, Founder & Music Educator
Hi, I’m Pilar Plazas, founder of P&D Music Education. My journey as a piano and early childhood music educator started more than 15 years ago. I have learned countless lessons from my students, my mentor and my constant search to be better at what I LOVE MOST, educating young aspiring musicians and nurturing their love for music.
I strive to connect with my students, to understand their needs and learning styles. My utmost goal is to cultivate their innate musicality by providing them with an education where they feel valued, capable and accomplished.
I believe in the idea that what matters most is the journey, not the destination. Students thrive when they are motivated and excited during their learning process. Therefore, I design thoughtful small-group experiences that bring together musicianship, movement, creativity, healthy technique, and music literacy while remaining responsive to the needs of each student.
I look forward to welcoming you to our studio community!
