Private Piano Lessons
I am taking enrollments for new beginners and transfer students age 6 to adult for the 2026/2027 school year!
In addition to the information below you may also read the Parent Guide and Policy Page here
In person lessons are held at
Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church,
1110 Highland Drive, Novato CA 94949 Map
Current in person openings as of 9/25:
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Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:00
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Tuesdays 4:30 - 5:00
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Thursdays 2:30 - 3:00
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Thursdays 4:00 - 4:30
Click here to schedule a $20 trial lesson
Online lessons are held on Zoom or Google Meet
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Wednesdays are currently FULL
Tuition: $145 per month
Each month includes 3 LIVE lessons weeks and 1 FLEX week.
Flex week may include your choice of:
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A video tutorial (no extra charge)
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A group class (add $25)
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A LIVE online lesson (add $45)
Materials fee $50 per school year due upon enrollment.
$20 Trial "Mini" Lessons are now available!
Click here to sign up for a trial lesson
Did you know? Music students out-perform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Skills such as reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall, and concentration are developed in musical performance, and these skills are valuable to students in math, reading, and science.
- B. Friedman, “An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes,” Dissertation Abstracts International.
For Kids: The Mayron Cole Method
With the Mayron Cole Piano method, your child will learn keyboard geography, rhythm notation and staff notation using fun and engaging activities and games. This method does not use any tricks or shortcuts (like playing by finger number) and teaches children to be confident musicians, able to play along in duets, ensembles, and any school music program with ease and confidence.
For Teens and Adults:
My teen and adult program is very much personalized around YOUR goals at the piano. Whether you want to focus on general music theory, playing your favorite pop hits, entertaining your family with Christmas carols, improvising for relaxation, or anything else, we will discuss your goals at your trial lesson and go from there.
Before Enrolling Your Child
The following items should be considered:
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Has your child expressed interest in piano?
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Do you have a piano or keyboard in the home?
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Is there an adult available to help with daily practice?
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Does 10 minutes per day of practice fit into your child's schedule?
Introductory Trial Lesson
Interested in getting started with piano lessons? We start with a $20 "Intro Lesson" (20 minutes) to meet, learn a simple duet, and ask and answer each others' questions.
Click here to schedule your $20 trial lesson
Meet Miss Melissa
Miss Melissa Ayotte has been a popular Early Childhood Music and piano teacher in Marin County for over 20 years. She currently lives on Hamilton in Novato with her husband Carlos and two children. Melissa began studying piano with Antonia Cippolina in Mill Valley in the early 1970's at the age of 5. She studied privately for over 12 years and continued her music education at College of Marin with Paul Smith. Melissa has played and performed professionally at Marin restaurants, and theater companies, and plays regularly at S. Sebastien and St. Raphael churches.