Yukimi S. TakeLessons Instructor music, piano, music theory, piano group lessons, keyboard harmony, Solfage, sight reading... New York, NY

Do you want a teacher who motivates you to practice, who makes you love to play the piano, who takes you to the next level of playing faster? Hi, I am Yukimi, and these are the characteristics of myself as a piano teacher. I have taught at college in Florida for five years, and I have been an adjunct piano instructor at the Steinhardt School of New York University. I have taught from 5-year-old to 55-year-old students, from the beginners to advanced students. Advanced students have won competitions, playing Prokovief, Beethoven, etc. I am a very personable, friendly teacher, who understands each student's needs...Most importantly, I do want my students to love playing the piano!! 

"Born in Tokyo, Japan, Yukimi began to study the piano and composition at the age of four.  She left Japan for U.S. in 1995 to pursuit a degree in communications at Pensacola College, FL. As a music minor, she studied under a Brazilian Pedagogue, Daisy de Luca Jaffé, and have won several competitions such as NMTA Sonata Contest First Prize.  After completing her B.S. in broadcasting, Yukimi remained there to continue her study in piano (M.A. in piano performance) with de Luca Jaffé with a full scholarship and an assistantship.  After completing her master’s degree, Yukimi continued to teach at Pensacola College as a full-time faculty member (until 2006).  During the summers of 2004 and 2005, she won a scholarship to study in Salzburg, Austria, to study with Oliver Gardon and Sergei Dorenski, where she was chosen to play for the Student Concert in Wiener Saal of Mozarteum University.  Recently, Yukimi graduated from New York University (studied under Dr. Deirdre O’Donohue) and has received Advanced Certificate Degree in Music while she was teaching piano lessons as an adjunct instructor at the Steinhardt School of NYU.   Her recent performances in NY were 'Mating Calls…Liebeslieder/Craigslistlieder' at Riverside Church, 'Spring Chamber Concert' at Tenri Institute, Solo Recital at Black Box Theatre, 'Passion and Madness: The World of Robert Schumann' at Loewe Theater"

If you are a beginner, wanting to start from the Middle C, I am more than happy to teach you! If you are an advanced student, waiting for someone to make you grow and to motivate you to practice, I am perfect for you!

I do would like to utilize both old and new in my lessons. My lessons do emphasize on Traditions...I do like to use solid classical literature and traditional excersize materials; and at the same time, I would like to adjust to each student's interest, strength, weekness, and his/her personality. I do also have a solid technique background--Relaxation technique, a very unique method developed by Paris Conservatory pianist and Brazilian pedagogue, Magda Tagliaferro--limiting fingers/hands-only-movements and using the body/arm weight to play piano (Beethoven/Liszt technique). I have learned this technique from Daisy de Luca Jaffe, who is also the world-class pianist and pedagogue and who was one of the pupils of Ms. Tagliaferro. I have also taught this technique in a classroom and in a piano studio for over 5 years. I am eclectic in music..not only classical, which I still belive as a foundation, but also rock, pop, gospel, etc...

I am specialized in classical. I do believe in traditional methods in teaching..but I am very flexible to adjust according to each student's need. I am also very eclectic, so my style of playing and my former/current students' style of playing are not limited to classical but are church, pop, etc.
I do believe in tradition--good foundation AND practicality!

I also can assist you to train you in solfage, dictation, sight-reading, harmonization, and theory for you to be prepared to major in music in college.--these skills are very essential to get in to music programs--such as performance, education, technology, therapy, etc--of accredited universities, colleges, conservatories in U.S.

music, piano, music theory, piano group lessons, keyboard harmony, Solfage, sight reading (music), dictation (music), Japanese language

"Yukimi is an amazing woman, teacher, and pianist. She was my teacher for two semesters in FL..... She is a delightful and informative teacher. My skill at the piano increased more in the one year I took lessons from her than it had from any other teacher I previously had. She is a wonderful person and mentor...."--A. Reynolds (Little Rock, AR)

"Yukimi imparts excellent technique, and is a source of constant, positive encouragement during her classes. I have recommended her to many incoming freshmen and am positive you will find her an excellent piano instructor."--E. Tan (Current NYU student; Singapore)

 "Yukimi is a great teacher! She is an inspiring teacher. I learned a lot from her. One thing for sure, she gave harsh comments that were constructive. On the other hand, she is also a very encouraging teacher. I enjoyed having her as my piano teacher. Not forgetting how fabulous she performs. A fantastic performer and an incredible teacher!"--Audrey (Indonesia)   

"Yukimi was my private piano instructor for two semesters. She has excellent insight and was fantastic at pulling out my musicality."--A.Marshall (Halifax, PA)   

"Her love for the music and sensitivity through her music was most definite, and her musicallity and commanding presence at the piano was always something to behold. She is one talented/gifted person!"--K. Sebens (Bellinghan, WA)  

"I had Yukimi for a secondary piano class. Going into the class i had a very limited understanding about the piano. Yukimi made everything come together for me regarding chord progressions, transposition, modulation, scales, and so much more. She is a skilled musician, and an amazing teacher. She was, and always will be my favorite piano teacher! Yukimi is fantastic"--Bonnie (Boltimore, MD)

"....mediocrity in teaching has become commonplace. When one finds a teacher who exudes exellence from day 1 and is