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
Option 1 - Fall Semester “Test the Waters”
Option 2 - 5 Months “Getting Started”
Option 3 - Calendar Year - September through May - Best value
Option 4: Supplemental Lessons - Adults who choose this option will schedule 3 lessons (within a 3 - 7 week window), to either supplement your journey with another teacher to for example, learn how to compose or become a more efficient “practicer”, (etc.) If you are interested in Supplemental Lessons, please indicate this at the meet and greet. I will contact, if applicable, your other teacher first to ensure that they are amenable to the arrangement.
For all options - the $15 meet and greet fee will be applied to your tuition/fee.
All options are designed for students with a wide range of abilities. We can talk about your goals at our in person meet and greet.
Option 1 “test the waters”
With your $800 Fall Semester Tuition (September through November) - you get
9 weekly - 60 minute lessons (starts late-September or early October).
“Test the waters” Includes 9 private lessons + 9 weekly online group check in chats + 1 in person group class
Online group check in chats are optional.
Books and Materials are included with this price - developmentally appropriate, based upon assessment / meet & greet lessons
Option 2 5 month “getting started”
With your 5-month program fee of $945 you get:
10 in-person private one-to-one lessons - scheduled roughly every other week over the course of 5 months.
20 weekly online group check in chats
Online group check in chats are optional
2 sixty-minute in person group classes
Books and materials (developmentally appropriate based upon assessment/meet & greet lesson)
1 field trip to attend a piano-performance to enjoy & socialize with like minded adult piano students.
Option 3 - Calendar Year
$2,000 tuition
(may be paid in two installments + $25 installment fee / one: $1,000, two Jan 15, 2027: $1,025)
The Calendar Year Option offers 34 private, one-on-one 45 minute- or 26 private 60 minute lessons scheduled between the months of September through June. We will personalize your schedule to meet your availability and goals.
Includes: 20+ weekly online group check in chats.
Online group check in chats are optional.
2 sixty-minute in person group classes.
All books and materials (developmentally appropriate, based upon meet and greet / assessment - $15 payable at the meet and greet, which will be credited toward your tuition).
1 field trip.
Option 4 - There are many options here! Let’s talk and explore possibilities.
Let’s say 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.
Perhaps you simply would like to test the waters with my online weekly checkins to help with your practicing at any level - you can take advantage of this for up to 7 weeks with a booking of 3- one hour- private lessons. (This option would include 3 1-hour lessons + 7 weeks availability to log on for the checkins online).
If you are interested in supplementing your current journey with lessons - I will work with your current teacher to help supplement your journey as a pianist - this could be through my weekly online check-ins, group class options, or another option we can explore at a meet and greet. Please know that I will contact your current teacher to ensure that they are amenable to the arrangement.
For option 4, my hourly billing rate is $98/hour, a minimum of 3 one-hour lessons over the course of a 7 week period is 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)
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
The week of September 14 - Thur 9/17, N Sherman Ave at 12:00 noon; W University Ave at 2:00 pm / email thestudio615@gmail.com to verify availability
Fri 9/18, N Sherman Ave at 2:00 pm
The week of September 21 - Mon 9/21, 11am N Sherman Ave, W University Ave options available
Tue 9/22, 9:30 am N Sherman Ave
Wed 9/23, Times available at both N Sherman Ave and West University Ave
Thur 9/24, N Sherman Ave at 12:00 noon; W University Ave at 2:00 pm
Fri 9/25, Times available at both N Sherman Ave and West University Ave
Shads Teaching Calendar / subject to change with 90 days advance notice / updated August 18, 2026.
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.)