What Shad’s adults students have to say:
One of the things I appreciate most about Shad is how he personalizes each lesson to meet my goals, interest, and learning style. He is an exceptional teacher who draws from multiple teaching approaches. He has been especially helpful whenever I get stuck on a concept or technique. Shad is knowledgable, patient, and professional - it’s clear that he’s deeply committed to helping students of all ages not just learn piano but to be musical. - Marie H.
Piano for Adults - Piano for Transformation
The environment I created for adult learners to learn to play piano is uniquely personal.
Learning any instrument takes some patience
It also takes the ability to listen
It takes a teacher who will let you be heard
It takes expert guidance, some accountability mixed with some social interaction
It takes a proven set of methods - many tricks & ways of explaining, demonstrating and reinforcing ideas, skills, and concepts - ultimately, a method that is uniquely tailored for you personally
It requires a mix of repertoire, theory, technique, and developing aural skills
It takes some flexibility
Ultimately, it takes a belief in yourself, and an investment of your time and attention
The result is a transformation of the mind and growth of the self.
Achieve the confidence to enjoy playing piano as both an art and a skill.
Using traditional method books exclusively is not going to cut it for most adult learners.
Take lessons with a teacher who can personalize the lesson and tailor it to your unique needs. Every adult learner comes to lesson with many skills - it takes an adept teacher who listens and hears the student for who they are in order for an adult learner to thrive and stay motivated.
My method uses some elements of traditional teaching approaches and a classically-centered standard. And we learn so much more! Elements of jazz and popular/contemporary idioms are an essential component to understanding the piano. Since I believe not all learning is linear, students are encouraged to ask questions and explore.
We experiment and discover as we go! The more you engage with the process, the more you will truly learn.
-Shad Ryan Wenzlaff
Piano for Adults
Piano for Transformation
There are several options to get started.
All options include:
In-studio, in person lessons - give at one of my 2 studios - west or east/near north Madison.
The option to be flexible with scheduling if necessary
Weekly online check-ins - set up as group classes - in between your lessons.
Seasonal in-person group classes - an opportunity to meet like-minded adult students
Email Shad to set up a meet and greet to learn more about the Piano for Adults - Piano for Transformation experience. thestudio615@gmail.com
Email thestudio615@gmail.com - or call Shad: 608-663-9899 (this is a landline / please leave a message including the best 2 or 3 times to return your call - I check messages daily.)
Taking piano lesson with Shad is a journey of growth, challenges, and above all joy. He helped me to improve my skills and made me feel confident. Ann T.
Piano for Adults - Piano for Transformation
There is a $15 meet and greet fee.
There are many options for getting started! Let’s talk and explore possibilities.
Are you a beginner? Let’s start your journey. I’m forming a new beginner cohort starting the first week of January - schedule a meet and greet before December 10 to be a part of the next cohort.
Are you following a method on your own, but are learning it’s limited & you need some guidance? Give me a call and let’s set up a meet and greet.
You’ve always wanted to give your hand at composing? We can book lessons to get you started, or develop a piece you’ve already begun. There are a dozen ways to get started as a composer.
Perhaps you studied piano at a relatively advanced level previously and simply need some help getting back into practicing.
Or, you may have some fundamental questions about music theory as it relates to pieces you are / would like to study.
I offer a tuition based rate for students ready to commit to a regular-27 lesson schedule between November early June 2027. [Two payments of $860, or pre-pay the 27 lessons @ $1650] Does not include books and materials.
Depending upon your level of commitment to a regular schedule,
my hourly billing rate is $98/hour with a minimum of 3 one-hour lessons over the course of a 7 week period required - this may be “renewable” for a second, third, or fourth session / introductory fee is $294, and your $15 meet and greet fee is applied to this fee (i.e. $15 + $279). Books and materials are billed additionally.
To get started and learn more - email Shad: thestudio615@gmail.com to schedule an in-person meet & greet at one of my studios.
Meet & Greet availability
Practicing is part of the deal - Students who need a place to practice may rent one of my studios at a discounted rate for practice - practicing is arranged by advance-appointment only. All of my studios are equipped with first-rate grand pianos.
Full price studio rentals start at $12-$16/hour.
If you are a part of my Piano for Transformation adult cohort, studios are available at the discounted rate of 10 hours per month for $75, additional time @ $10/hour.
Piano For Transformation: There is a $15 fee for a meet and greet with no obligation or pressure to sign up.
At the meet and greet, we will talk about your goals, Shad will perform an assessment of your current skill set, and, within 24 hours of the meet and greet he will provide a written assessment plus a recommended “syllabus” for getting started.
Email thestudio615@gmail.com - or call Shad: 608-663-9899 (this is a landline / please leave a message including the best 2 or 3 times to return your call - I check messages daily.)