Piano Lessons & Music Classes | Merit School of Music

🌞 THERE’S STILL TIME TO JOIN SUMMER music camps & classes!

SAVE THE DATE! Fall Early Bird Registration opens June 27

Whether you’ve played piano for years or are just getting started, Merit’s celebrated faculty is here to help you unlock your full musical potential.
Our students have used their time at Merit to prepare for acceptance to some of the country’s best music conservatories, received international recognition for their talent, pursued careers as teaching artists and performers, and gained the confidence to chase their dreams in music and beyond.

Browse summer piano programming

FREE! INSTRUMENT EXPLORATION WORKSHOP

CLASS IS FULL June 25 • 10:00am – 12:45pm (Ages 8-13) & 11:45am – 12:45pm (Ages 4-13)
JUST ADDED! August 20 • 10:00am – 12:45pm (Ages 8-13) & 11:45am – 12:45pm (Ages 4-13)

Have a music-loving child who isn’t quite sure which instrument to choose? The best way to pick is by trying them all! This fun introductory class is designed to give young music lovers the chance to explore various instruments—piano, violin, trumpet, guitar, flute, voice, & many more!

Children ages 8-13 will begin the day with a session on wind and brass instruments and guitar. Younger kids are invited to join us for the second part of the session as we explore strings, piano, and voice. Students will end the session by choosing their favorite instrument and will have the opportunity to reserve a spot in Merit’s popular fall group classes and ensembles.

> Learn more & register now!

PIANO CAMP

June 21 – 25 • 10:00am – 2:30pm or
July 11 – 15 • 10:00am – 2:30pm

During this one-week camp, pianists will develop their skills in music theory, ear training, transposition, solo performance, and participate in masterclasses with Merit’s esteemed piano faculty.

This camp is best for intermediate to advanced pianists (including Conservatory pianists!) with a minimum of three full years of instruction with a piano teacher and is available to students by teacher recommendation or a placement audition.

> Learn more & register now!

BEGINNING PIANO CLASS

June 21 – August 4 • 4:30pm – 5:25pm or
June 21 – August 4 • 5:30pm – 6:25pm or
June 22 – August 10 • 4:30pm – 5:25pm or
June 22 – August 10 • 5:30pm – 6:25pm

Learn piano with Merit this summer! Piano gives aspiring student musicians a creative outlet and is a fun way to learn to read music and build strong practice habits. Your child will begin playing in a class of five to six students with ample opportunity for group learning and individual support. Students will practice reading music, defining basic vocabulary terms, and performing a variety of pieces.

Students will learn the following skills:

Recognizing parts of the musical staff
Reading rhythms and notes in treble and bass clefs
Maintaining proper posture and hand position

> Learn more & register now!

CONTINUING PIANO CLASS

June 21 – August 4 • 4:30pm, 5:30pm, or 6:30pm for 55 mins or
June 22 – August 10 • 4:30pm, 5:30pm, or 6:30pm for 55 mins

Deepen your technique and love for the piano this summer! Students will be challenged with more complex repertoire and musical concepts, develop their musicianship and instrumental technique, and build knowledge and discipline on their way to becoming a poised musician.

Students will learn the following skills:

Playing major and minor key signatures and associated scales and arpeggios
Mastering complex rhythms
Developing sight-reading skills
Using pedals

These intermediate level classes are recommended for students who have studied piano for a minimum of one year (at Merit or elsewhere) and are available to students by teacher recommendation or a placement audition.

> Learn more & register now!

Programs for musicians of all levels

Group Classes & Ensembles

Hone your technique and skill alongside other driven young musicians. Beginners welcome!

Private Lessons

In-person & virtual options available

Work one-on-one with skilled and supportive faculty to explore your individual talents and musical interests.

Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory

Join the best of Merit’s talented student musicians by auditioning for Merit’s prestigious tuition-free Conservatory.

AUDITION

Summer Camps

Make friends, memories, and music all summer long with Merit’s line-up of camps, classes, workshops, and ensembles.

LEARN MORE

Watch Merit PIANO students in action!

Each year, Merit pianists of all ages come together to perform in concerts at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, venues throughout Chicago, and online.

Past performances include concerts at Symphony Center, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Economic Club of Chicago. Some of our students have even performed at Carnegie Hall!

Chicago’s finest piano faculty

“Regardless of a piano student’s goals in music, a thorough grounding in the basics provides a strong musical foundation for any path. More than just the rudiments of scales, rhythm, harmony we try to teach our piano students the benefits of diligence, practice, and persistence. Plus, scientific studies have proven that a music education has many indirect and intangible benefits and rewards, regardless of a student’s chosen future pathway in life.”

– Dr. Elena Doubovitskaya
Piano Department Chair

Our celebrated teaching artists hail from across the globe and have degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious conservatories and universities. Beyond their teaching at Merit, our Piano faculty have extensive solo and collaborative piano careers working extensively throughout the city of Chicago and internationally. Committed to helping Merit students succeed in music and in life, our Piano faculty provides students with the immersive training, feedback, and mentorship they need to learn and grow.

BROWSE PIANO FACULTY

Meet Merit PIANO Students and Alumni

Merit student Joshua Mhoon named Lang Lang Young Scholar

Merit piano students perform in a Virtual Recital

Merit alum Julian Reid performs at Chicago Ideas Week

Merit alum Alexis Lombre is helping to keep jazz alive