Lessons

I help dedicated students become real musicians — at the piano, in music theory, and through ear training. Whether you're an adult returning after decades, an adult building from scratch, or a pre-college student preparing for serious study, my studio is a place to do meaningful, joyful work with a teacher who takes your music as seriously as you do. All lessons and classes are offered in-person and online, except for chamber music coaching. To get started, click below to send me a message. If we arrange an introductory meeting, we'll discuss your goals, review studio policies, and determine whether we're a good fit for working together. In my studio, we value commitment and celebrate each step of your music journey. I look forward to making music with you.

-Dr. Tunstall

Let's Get Started!

Adult Piano

Whether you are serious about performing or play piano as a hobby, you've come to the right place! Beginner to advanced, each student has a truly customized lesson plan to fit their learning style. The goal is to play something beautiful and fulfilling right from the beginning — student interests take top priority, and I adapt the curriculum to meet each student's unique needs. The benefits of study include a focus on natural and relaxed technique, cognitive and memory stimulation, and overall life enhancement. Play the music you have always dreamed of. If you are pursuing a professional level of playing, or preparing for auditions, competitions, teacher certifications, or music degree program admissions, I would love to work with you.

  • In-person (Charlotte Studio) — Both experienced/returning adults and beginners

  • Online — Experienced/returning adults only. I recommend in-person lessons with a local teacher if you are a complete beginner, as proper muscle movements are best taught in person.

Students with previous piano experience first 6 weeks:

  • Establish your new goals

  • 3 focus techniques based on your new goals and make corrections on standard techniques

  • 2 short expressive pieces (focusing on tone quality)

  • Learn how to practice efficiently using a proper practice routine

  • Proper use of wrists, fingers and arms

Beginner's first 6 weeks:

  • All 24 major & minor penta scales & root position triads

  • 1 fast piece (orientation of keyboard geography & sense of Home (I) and Away (V))

  • 1 slow piece (orientation of expressive tone quality through arms & upper body)

  • 2-3 short reading pieces (intro to intervallic reading)

  • A sneak peek of how you can learn to play your favorite songs quickly

Private: 60-min/$126

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Music Theory & Ear Training

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Music theory lessons actively integrate aural skills (ear training) in order to develop skills and knowledge essential for students' musical activities, such as performing, composing, improvising, and listening. This instruction can be either topic-based or sequential, depending on student goals (local/state exams for K-12, high school AP music, college level, or teacher certifications, etc.). Topics include: rhythm & meter; major/minor scales; key signatures; triads & inversions; 7th chords; extended harmonies (9th, 11th, 13th chords); phrase structure and cadences; harmonic progression; modulation, form & analysis, voice leading, counterpoint, and harmonization.

  • Comprehensive Music Theory: Standard music major theory sequence, plus counterpoint.

  • Commercial Music Theory: Intro to songwriting, chord progressions, and song analysis.

  • Ear Training: Real-time analysis, dictations, contextual analysis. I am fluent in all three systems - the Number system, Movable-do, and Fixed-do.

Private: 60-min/$126. Semi-private (available for teacher certification or exam preparation): 75-min/$90

Private Piano Lessons

Private piano lessons at my studio bring together strong musicianship and individualized attention. Each student — whether a young learner, a returning adult, or an advanced pianist — receives a curriculum shaped to their goals and stage of development. Utilizing a good mix of standard and specialized curricula (RCM/MTNA/Suzuki/Dalcroze) with student favorites of any genre or style, the focus is on correct practicing, confidence in expression, and the independence to make musical and interpretive choices. Private lessons are reinforced by ensemble rehearsals and recitals, leading to confident playing in different environments. All piano students must have an acoustic piano for practice. Visiting students are also welcome for drop-ins for audition/competition/proficiency test purposes. Lessons are given once a week for 60 or 75 minutes.

  • K-12: Best suited for students with 3+ years of previous private lesson experience. I'll ask for a short video of two pieces when you send an inquiry.

  • Adults: Welcome at any level, from complete beginners to experienced pianists.

  • A note on lesson length: Lessons shorter than 60 minutes are not available, as students need this length of time to do meaningful work together.

Private: 60-min/$126

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Online Repertoire Class for Adults

The Online Repertoire Class for Adults (synchronous) is a small-group setting where students can perform pieces they've been working on and receive thoughtful feedback. Observers are equally welcome — listening to others and their critiques is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a musician.

  • Each repertoire class lasts an hour.

  • A great opportunity for students to perform and experience a sense of completion.

  • Observe the teacher's feedback on others' playing and apply it to your own pieces.

  • 6x a year (roughly every other month); classes can be purchased in sets of 3.

  • Maximum of 6 performing students; no limit on observing learners.

  • A sense of cohort in a small-group setting, where we grow together.

  • Purchasing 3 classes reserves your seat as both a performer and an observer. If life happens and you decide not to perform, you can opt to watch others play and listen to feedback. You'll be surprised how much you learn from observing.

  • In case of absence, a recording will be available, as there are no make-up classes or refunds.

Private: 3 Classes/$180

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Feedback & Check-in

In addition to live instruction, I offer detailed feedback for piano students. I provide comprehensive critiques on all performance elements, including technique, interpretation, and musicality. Each feedback includes suggestions for next steps and focused areas for improvement. This is an excellent option for students with some prior lesson experience who wish to continue making progress but do not have weekly lessons.

  • Get feedback on your choice of repertoire — Work on any piece you would like to improve on, send a video of your playing, and get feedback

  • Get feedback on specific topic — Choose a topic from below, study the walk-through video, work on it, and get feedback.

Two options for feedback: Either asynchronous video feedback or live 15-min online feedback within 2-3 days.

1 Submission (up to 10 min)/$80

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Drop-in Lessons & Special Topics

Special Topics are a way to take focused, time-limited deep dives into specific musical skills or repertoire. Whether you want to spend four weeks analyzing Bach counterpoint or six weeks composing your own song, each topic has a defined timeline and a clear outcome you'll walk away with. Available in-person and online for music theory (all levels) and piano (non-beginner).

Lesson topics offer a wealth of possibilities. Here are some examples:

  • 6 Weeks: Learn chord styling & improv - 2 prescribed excerpts, 2 songs of student choice (Level 2 & up)

  • 6 Weeks: Compose an original song and be able to perform it on piano (Level 4 & up)

  • 4 Weeks: Analyze Bach counterpoint pieces such as Invention, Sinfonia & WTC (Theory)

  • 4 Weeks: Practice real-time analysis on bass/chord movement of 8 excerpts (Theory/Aural Skills)

  • 5 Weeks: Identify intervals and chords featuring excerpts from 10 Disney songs (Aural Skills)

Private: 60-min/$136

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Chamber Music Coaching (In-person only)

Playing with other musicians is fun, fulfilling, and offers a whole new dimension of understanding a composition overall. I offer coaching for standard chamber music repertoire from piano trios to larger ensembles with strings and woodwinds, as well as choir rehearsals. My students often play piano trios and quartets with professional musicians, including Charlotte Symphony Orchestra members. I also enjoy making special arrangements for piano trio/quartet in particular for intermediate level pianists to experience chamber music at an earlier stage in their development using masterworks and popular songs.

  • Standard piano trio with strings

  • Piano trio with woodwinds

  • Singers with piano (solos, duets)

  • Solo instrumentalists for auditions & recordings

60-min/$200 per small group

© 2026 Bomi Tunstall, DMA, NCTM