Brooklyn Piano Studio

You can play the piano.

People often say something like "I wish I'd kept up with piano," or "I wish I'd taken lessons when I was younger," implying a limiting belief that it's too late now for them to learn. Some are convinced that long hours of daily practice from early childhood is the only way. Some find music confusing, illogical, disorderly; a murky ocean of disconnected random notes, with attempts to learn feeling like rudderless drifting, lost at sea.

At Brooklyn Piano Studio, we believe that anyone can learn piano and music, regardless of age or past experience. Anyone who wants to learn can learn with a little time and effort. Anyone can make progress, not just with learning a couple of songs, but with building a real understanding of how music works: progress that sticks, a solid foundation that you can build upon. You can learn to play the piano, and we can help.

Piano student at the piano

Music is a language

Like language, music is a logically organized system of sounds and symbols. Small building blocks (letters and notes) are composed into larger and larger structures. They both have conventions, patterns, and idioms. Understanding this system will help you learn the songs you want to play, or to write your own.

Music is fun!

Creative self expression is one of life's great joys. Playing music can help you relax when you're feeling stressed. It can bring a sense of accomplishment when you master a challenging song. It can open up new ways to connect with people and put you in touch with new friends and communities. It can enrich your life immensely.

We're here to help

Our goal is to support your musical journey. Each student will move at their own pace, following the path that is right for them. Think of us as your sherpa up the mountain; your guide as you develop the skills to play piano, to experience the great joy of music, to enrich your life, to have fun!

About the Instructor

Tom has more than 20 years of professional experience as a pianist and educator, during which time he has performed thousands of gigs and taught many students. He started playing piano by ear at age 4 and pursued his passion to study classical, jazz, and popular music styles during his formative years. In 2005 he moved to NYC and completed his postgraduate training at the Juilliard School, earning his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies studying with the great Kenny Barron.

Photo of piano instructor

Tom is a natural educator and loves sharing his knowledge with others. At Julliard he taught NYC public school students through an Educational Outreach Program. He taught Advanced Theory for Juilliard's Music Advancement Program on Saturdays. He was selected for a cultural exchange program, through which he traveled to work with students at universities in Costa Rica, Colombia, El Salvador, North Carolina, Utah, and Florida. He was on faculty for several years at SUNY Purchase summer jazz camp. He spent more than a decade teaching private students and group classes at Church Street School for Music and Art in Tribeca. Now with Brooklyn Piano Studio he continues his mission to bring the music to the people, making the joy of piano and music accessible to anyone who wants to learn.