"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor."
--Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Are you an adult who wants to learn piano from the beginning, or start again after a hiatus? Perhaps you studied another instrument in the past, or maybe you helped your children and now it's your turn. This website is devoted to adults who wish to start piano lessons. It is not for professional musicians, just people who want to learn to play, or increase their abilities for whatever reason.

The author of this site and the founder concept of creating a truly unique piano school, Dr. Marcie Zinn, focuses on the convergence of neuroscientific research, teaching and learning for adults in the arts. When adults come for piano lessons, the situation is very different than that of a child. Adults learn differently than a child and have the edge of maturity over a child--the mature adult brain's abilities are far ahead of those of children. Children, due to the immaturity of their brains, have limitations that adults do not have.

However, piano lessons are not just about learning. Since adults' goals in piano are way different than those of children, their emotional status is different. Due to their years of experience in the world, adults bring with them their status as people who already know themselves and a rich learning history that dates back decades, not just a few years.

Most of us have heard that the adult brain can, and does, continue to change through experience through the lifetime. The latest research shows exactly that--adult brains are continually re-shaped by experience and learning. It also shows that the neural remodeling that goes on, is continual. It's happening as you read this. You are learning new information and integrating it into what you already know. That's change.

First, allow me to say that adults can, and do, learn piano very successfully. Adults have very different goals than children, bring much more self-discipline to the situation, and are much more realistic about setting appropriate goals. The adults I have worked with are perfectly OK with being a beginner. Those with prior musical experience often want to re-trace their steps so as to shore up what they already know. Adults know that there is always work involved in anything worthwhile. They know what they want.

Second, the learning issue again. The adult brain changes through the lifespan, constantly reinventing itself. It is through this continual re-molding process that the brain can accept new learning. It is the job of the instructor to present the materials in a 'user friendly' manner. Said differently, we do not teach adults the same way as we do children. Far from it. We work with your current abilities, integrating piano into your current knowledge base. Working from that viewpoint, music learning is rendered understandable, and enjoyable. That is why this instructional concept, Piano For Adults, was created--to address the psychological needs of adults along with the musical ones. We work with each participant as an individual, guiding him or her all along the way.

If you choose us for your personal needs through music, we will help you have the best experience possible in your endeavors.

Dr. Marcie Zinn