Do-Re-Mi School of Music & the Arts
93A South Livingston Avenue 
Livingston, NJ
973-758-1500

Our school represents Russian piano teaching tradition that is famous for its high standards, solid technical skills and expressive, emotional interpretation. Our teachers know how to guide a student step-by-step in order to establish correct habits that would allow the student to proceed with piano studies for years to come. What is even more important, it is each teacher's personal interest, involvement in each student's progress, close relationship between a student and a teacher. 

We are very proud that we can meet the needs of different types of students: from young children to teens to adults and senior citizens; from those playing piano "just for fun" to ambitious students who spend a lot of time and effort to polish their performing skills.

Our overall retention rate is extremely high: less than 10% drop-out comparing to national 80-90% drop-out among beginners. How do we achieve it? We offer different approaches to different types of students.

We serve students from Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills, Springfield, Summit, Chatham, Berkely Heights, New Providence, Basking Ridge, West Orange, South Orange, Caldwell, North Caldwell, East Hanover, Parsippany, Montville and Boonton areas.

TRADITIONAL

According to a traditional approach, lessons cover repertory (pieces), reading, technique and theory. While every student starts more or less with the same method books, the balance between repertoire-reading-technique-theory and performing components varies from student to student. Repertory itself is different, as well: teachers try to assign the pieces of styles that student likes to play. For some it may be classical, for others popular. Some love Broadway songs and some prefer traditional music of his or her country of origin. We offer various informal piano playing opportunities, such as monthly Saturday Piano Lounges and end-of-the-year fun Piano Party.

We also do not have "preset" expectations regarding the student's progress. We want music to be something that you or your child enjoy for a lifetime. So try not to put unrealistic expectations to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace, and the key is to enjoy the journey. 

Click at the image to see a sample video of the lesson with young beginner

For our March 17, 2012 Recital in Livingston Public Library  please click here.

For our Popular Music Recital on June 2, 2012, click here.

Tuition per Month (Private lessons only): $140/30-min. weekly lessons; $195/45-min., $250/60-min.
Yearly tuition covers 39 private lessons and in-school performance opportunities (end-of-the-year recitals and music parties, Saturday piano lounges and such.) Some months have 5 and some months have 3 lessons; monthly tuition remains the same whether there are 3, 4 or 5 lessons in a month.

Calendar 2012-2013

Thu., Sept. 6...................................................................................first piano lesson
Wed., Oct. 31.................................................................................no lessons, Halloween
Thu.-Sun., Nov. 22-25......................................................................no lessons, Thanksgiving break 
Mon.-Tue., Dec. 24-Jan. 1................................................................no lessons, Christmas-New Year break 
Mon.-Sun., Mar 25-31......................................................................no lessons, Spring break 
Mon., May 27..................................................................................no lessons, Memorial Day 
Wed., June 26.................................................................................the last day of spring semester except Monday 
Mon., July 1....................................................................................the last day of spring semester for Monday 
Thu., June 27................................................................................. summer semester begins

Piano Performance Class

Registration is now open for 2012-2013 school year for Do-Re-Mi Piano Performance Class

Many parents are interested not only in the instruction of high caliber that we are proud to provide, and not only in oportunity for their children to perform in prestigious concert halls, but also in a receiving a nationally recognaized assessment. We are happy to announce that the Do-Re-Mi School has been approved as a The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program founding school candidate and now we are featuring a program for preparing interested students to exams within this program (further refered to as TAP - The Achievement Program.) Additionally to assessment, this program provides performance opportunities. Please find detailed information at http://www.theachievementprogram.org

Admission:

new students: by audition only
current students: by his or her teacher's recommendation
for all: 2 or more years of piano lessons is required

Out-of-school Auditions and Public Recitals (e.g. by the Piano Teachers Society of America, Music Educators Association, Golden Key Festival and others)

While participation in competitions and public recitals IS a big pressure, many parents find it beneficial for children. Life full of pressure, indeed, and if you live with it, you are better prepared to handle it later on. Some people actually like feeling adrenaline running in their bodies. Please discuss this with your teacher.

Program:

1) 45-60 min. weekly private lessons and 8 additional lessons before audition or recital

2) 6 monthly Performance classes (dates will be announced), where students perform for each
other and feedback is given by other students and the teacher

3) an opportunity to receive a consultation with a certified teacher (teachers are certified through their students winning performances in Carnegie Hall.)

The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program (TAP)

It is a great option for children, who clearly do not like competitions. Playing for a judge, a child is only competing with herself or himself. The format of “exams” is very familiar to school children and grading system is very predictable and fair. The program is comprehensive, transferrable from state to state and level of preparation in theory courses at upper levels (associate degree) qualify students for exams in AP classes and admitted by colleges.

Program:

1) 45-60 min. weekly private lessons and 8 additional lessons before audition or recital

2) 6 monthly Performance classes (dates will be announced), where students perform for each
other and feedback is given by other students and the teacher

3) an opportunity to receive a consultation with a certified teacher
4) weekly group Theory/Ear training classes starting with 5^th grade of The Achievement Program

To listen to some of our students' performances,click on the image below.

 

         

.

SIMPLY MUSIC

Simply Music is a Breakthrough Australian-developed method. It allows beginning students (6yrs. through older adults) to play aesthetically rewarding music with both hands right from the start. This approach is playing-based vs. traditional reading-based programs, i.e. reading is temporarily delayed. Simply Music repertory includes variety of genres: popular, blues, jazz. Additionally to repertory that is maintained throughout the years, so students are ready to play "anywhere anytime", students are given tools to play arrangements and accompaniments,  and also to create improvisations and  compositions. Even though the reading is postponed, the
   reading method is more efficient than traditional way. Please take a look at   http://www.simplymusic.com.

Monthly Tuition:
$120/30-min./2 students, or 40-min./3 students, or 50-min./4 students
$150/30-min. private.
Please note: Private lessons for Simply Music are only available on the teacher's discretion if there are no suitable partners available. The school reserves the right to combine students who started with private lessons into partner and small group on teacher's discretion.