Music Academy in Pleasanton, Lessons in Piano, Guitar, Voice and more! Anderson-Siprashvili Music Academy

Who are the teachers?

Our teachers are experienced, trained and licensed professional instructors. In addition to degrees and diplomas, we choose our instructors based on experience, patience, understanding and the ability to communicate ideas clearly when teaching children. We do NOT hire instructors who are high-school students or people who otherwise do not meet our strict criteria in experience and education.

What are their credentials?

All of our instructors are professionals with university degrees and many years experience in teaching. You will not find high-school students or otherwise unqualified people instructing at our academy. Each instructor has been carefully screened and hand-chosen for their skills, abilities and commitment to musical excellence.

Yes. In fact, the academy is home to Diablo Pianos and is a new joint venture between Mark Anderson, owner and director of the academy, and Tom Overhoff, a student of Mark's and successful businessman for over 30 years. These pianos are internationally recognized as setting the standard of affordable German-engineered/Chinese-manufactured acoustic pianos. Please call the academy to set up an appointment to inspect and play these instruments when lessons are not in session. We take great pride in carrying these instruments and believe that you will be astonished at their tone quality and overall workmanship. Their value cannot be disputed and they are backed up with warranties and complimentary tuning as well. We also rent digital pianos, guitars, violins, etc for families who are not yet ready to purchase an instrument. Ask our front desk personnel for more information.

We would like to meet with our children's respective teachers briefly before finalizing our decision to put them into the group piano lessons at your academy.

Yes, it is possibly to have a brief conversation with an instructor between classes. However we like to keep this activity to a minimum because one of the primary goals at the academy is to enable instructors to focus solely on teaching. Anyone is welcome to come to the academy any afternoon to introduce yourselves to an instructor between lessons on the half-hour (3:30,4:30,etc). Instructors do not have time to chat but you can certainly meet them. Obviously, their first responsibility is to the students showing up for their lesson.

What are the costs to attend the academy?

There is a regular monthly tuition and a one-time $45 registration fee followed by an annual $22.50 registration fee which is charged in August. Monthly tuition depend upon the program enrolled. See our Tuition page for more information.

I have 2 children who want to study music. Can I get a break on the tuition?

Unfortunately, no. In fact, most academy students have a brother or sister concurrently enrolled. We even have a number of families with THREE family members enrolled and for that we give a 5% tuition discount on the third family member.

For group piano, how long does it take for a student to progress from level 1 to level 2 and onwards to the last level 5?

It depends on the student, their application, the support and involvement from parents, etc. Generally, each level takes an academic year.

How do you accommodate for students with different learning speeds. For example, what do you do with students who are ahead of their group and for those who are behind? Do some students move up a level while others stay put?

With our emphasis on "concept" teaching, students very often work through our materials at a similar pace. We can supplement students who either need remedial or more challenging material depending upon their pace within the class. If a student consistently pushes ahead, we will move them into a more appropriate situation.

How does group lessons compare with private lessons?

In spite of the perceived level of attention in a private lesson, the music education industry is finding that children are motivated by studying music along side their peers. In addition, this method of learning introduces students to ensemble playing which, in turn, demands precise rhythmic (proper counting) mastery. No child likes to feel like the one holding back the rest of the class, so they simply work harder, often with the help of the instructor, to keep pace. It’s a fabulous system!

How large are class sizes?

There are only four students per piano class, sometimes even two or three. There are somewhat larger class sizes for music theory and string ensemble, however those students take private instruction in addition to those classes. Most instrumental and voice instruction is still done privately in 30- minute lessons.

Are materials included in the tuition? If not, how much will they be?

No, but costs on materials are not terribly high as the publishers know if they were, they’d be out of business! For your convenience, we have materials in stock and ready for your child's first lesson. As we purchase materials without shipping costs, we can offer these at no extra cost to you. We do not make money on materials but rather supply them so that students have no problem obtaining them and classes can begin without delay. In most cases, materials cost about $25 - $35 to get started.

I need to drop my children off 15 minutes or more before their lesson. Is that OK?

We prefer to not have students waiting too long before or after their lesson. Please be prompt when dropping them off and picking them up. We really appreciate your efforts. Some studios actually charge $1 per minute for early drop-offs and late pickups. We do not want to implement anything like that so out of courtesy to us, please avoid being late or dropping off early.

Why must I give my credit card details before my child's lessons begin?

Because of a high demand for classes at certain times of the year, securing your account with payment information allows us to reserve your child's time-slot in our academy. In addition your child can begin lessons without interruption when the class begins.

I’m not sure if my child will like lessons. Can I get a refund if she doesn’t like it?

The fact is that we rarely experience a child who is not happy with their new abilities. Furthermore, it takes many months to develop even a basic sense of pitch, rhythm and a general musical awareness. However, you are free to remove your child from lessons and discontinue payment anytime after you have given the academy 30-day written notice. See our Tuition & Policy page for details.

We do not have an instrument. Do we need to buy one?

In the case of piano students, you do need to have some kind of piano or digital keyboard at home to practice on and we have rental instruments available. It would be a waste of your money to pay for lessons if your child cannot practice the other six days of the week. If you have questions about purchasing an instrument, our staff will be glad to advise you.

Do you offer private piano lessons too?

Yes, the academy offers private lessons to those students who test beyond or have completed our level 5 curriculum or who otherwise do not fit into a group format. Private piano lessons are usually 30-minutes but for advanced students, we recommend 45-minutes or 1 hour.

What kind of pianos do you use for class piano teaching?

We are very fortunate to have ten Roland's KR-105 Intelligent Digital Pianos. They define state-of-the-art. Their true piano sounds and their unparalleled pedagogical abilities, not to mention their highly intuitive and easy to use touch-screen interface, makes them the idea piano in an educational environment. We also use Williams Symphony digital pianos. These have a fully weighted keyboard, 128 sounds (General MIDI spec) and were chosen for their wonderful sound and touch.

What kind of other keyboard instruments do you have?

Our classrooms are fitted with new grands and uprights made by award-winning manufacturers Wendl & Lung and Brodmann. We have brochures available for these pianos at the front desk so feel free to ask to look at one. If you are interested in purchasing, please call the academy to set up viewing with a representative of Diablo Pianos, a new partnership with New World Academy.

Where should I park?

We have a number of reserved parking in the parking lot directly in front of the academy. However, we suggest using the ample street parking available in front of the academy. It's easier to get in and out and avoids congestion in the parking lot during busy hours (3pm to 7pm).

Do you have recitals?

Yes we do. We feel that performing in public, or at least in front of a large gathering of peers and their families, is crucial to a student's progress, both musically and emotionally. Performance also gives students real and tangible goals to work towards. Recitals are at least twice a year - one in early December and one in mid May. We have eliminated recital fees and instead sponsor a food-drive for the Alameda County Coummnity Food Bank asking that each family bring non-perishable food items instead of a recital fee to each recital.

What are DoReMees?

The Anderson-Siprashvili implemented a reward-based system called DoReMees in March 2007. Essentially, DoReMees are "academy currency" that academy students are awarded for a wide variety of musical good deeds. These can range from cleanup duty after an academy recital to attending live professional concerts in the surrounding area and beyond. The amount of a DoReMee award is usually specified in advance with the announcement event, occasion or task. Alternatively, students are invited to bring in materials (i.e., program from the event) to support their attendance to an unannounced concert or musical event, at which time the academy executive director will determine the amount of the DoReMees more. One DoReMee equals $.01. They can be redeemed for a growing assortment of merchandise sold at the academy from metronomes to instruments to music dictionaries to T-shirts and beyond.

It's very simple. We simply prorate those months that have Monday holidays (January and February) and subtract a single lesson amount from that student's tuition.

Who do I see if I have a question or problem with scheduling, payment or anything else?

We have a front-desk receptionist who can handle most questions and concerns. If the problem is outside or beyond her expertise, she will pass the matter on to the director. The director will then contact you himself. You can reach a live receptionist at the academy during normal business hours Monday through 10am to 7pm and Fridays 2pm to 5pm. There is no receptionist on hand for Saturday lessons so if you need to cancel a lesson on a Saturday, call on Friday before 5pm.

Our instructors are busy professional teachers and it is out of respect for their time and schedule that we implement a 30-day notification policy. If we had no withdrawal period, teachers would be left with "no-shows" and holes in their schedules, which is a waste of time and resources. Very often, families know ahead of time if there will be a schedule conflict that will keep them from attending lessons and 30 days is plenty of lead time for everyone concerned.

I was speaking with a friend whose daughter takes private piano lessons. He mentioned some tests that she has to take now and then to receive certificates as she moves through different levels. Do the students have examinations or tests to be evaluated on their technique/theory/performance skills etc. at a state or national level?
Do they get an opportunity to receive certifications of merit? If yes, at what level does the evaluation programs begin?

We have a number of affliations at the academy: MTNA (Music Teacher's National Association - www.mtna.org) and MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California (www.mtac.org). Both offer programs which you describe and I have had students participate for many years in a row, many achieving the highest levels and standards in theory and performance. MTNA has a program that can work at any level which we will be doing with any students/parents who request it.
I often include this information in my newsletters so stay tuned.

Frequently Asked Questions