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Piano Keys

Suzuki Piano Studio

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Why Piano Lessons?

At Suzuki Piano Studio, the focus is on providing an encouraging, enjoyable atmosphere that will stimulate the development of the students' musical abilities and personal character. Researchers and educators have found that music lessons provide many benefits.

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Self-expression, 
Self-esteem, & Perseverance

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Creative thinking
&
Problem-solving

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Improves study skills, Reasoning & Spatial intelligence

SERVICES

Individualized Piano Lessons for Ages 5+

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Suzuki Method Instruction

The Suzuki Method is an approach to learning to play an instrument by ear. Music note-reading is delayed as part of this learning method to establish strong listening and technical skills first. Parents learn along with the child, also attending lessons and supporting at-home practice.

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Traditional Method Instruction

In the "traditional" one-to-one approach to learning a musical instrument, the student practices the instructor's assignments every day at home. Note-reading is taught from the beginning of instruction and ear training, technique and theory are incorporated into the lesson.

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Eithne Boyer Teacher

About the Teacher: Eithne Boyer

Eithne Boyer (pronounced eth-na)  has been teaching Suzuki and Traditional piano lessons for over 40 years. She adapts her lessons to each individual student, emphasizing a love of learning, focus, and listening, rather than just hearing.

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Playing Piano

The Suzuki Method

at Suzuki Piano Studio

The Suzuki Method was founded by Japanese violinist, Shinichi Suzuki. Also called the "mother-tongue" approach, the Suzuki Method follows the same basic steps that enable children to learn their native language: exposure to the sounds of their language in the environment, imitation, encouragement and reinforcement by their parents, repetition, and refinement of the basics. The Suzuki Method has been developed for piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, recorder, voice and Early Childhood education.

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In the Suzuki Method, the parent learns along with the child and does not need to have previous musical training. The parent attends all lessons with the child and assists the child with the assigned practice every day at home. The parent is responsible for playing the recordings of the repertoire the child is learning every day at home as much as possible in order to create the musical immersion environment required for the most successful learning experience. Just as children learn to speak their language very well before learning to read words, music note-reading is delayed until the child has achieved fluency playing their instrument.



For more information about the Suzuki Method visit the Suzuki Association of the Americas website.

The Traditional Method

at Suzuki Piano Studio

This is the "traditional" one-to-one approach to learning a musical instrument. The student practices the instructor's assignments every day at home. Parents are not required to attend lessons or help with home practice, however it is highly recommended that parents assist their child at home and observe lessons as often as possible with children under 9 years old. Students are encouraged to listen to the recordings that accompany their piano books at home.  

Note-reading is taught from the beginning of instruction and ear training, technique and theory are incorporated into the lesson.

Child Playing the Piano

Meet the Teacher

Eithne Boyer

Eithne Boyer (pronounced eth-na) began studying piano at the age of four. She graduated from the University of British Columbia, Canada, with a Bachelor of Music Degree. In addition, Eithne has a Diploma in Fine Arts (for Kodaly Music Education) from the University of Calgary, Canada and Associate Diplomas in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. She has studied the Suzuki Method with Teacher Trainers Michiko Yurko, Cheryl Kraft, Cleo Brimhall, Susan Magnusson, Merlin Thomson, Peggy Swingle, and Madame Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki Method. Eithne has been teaching Suzuki and Traditional piano lessons for over 40 years. She is an active member of the Oregon Music Teachers Association Portland District and Suzuki Association of the Americas. She founded the Suzuki Piano Studio in Portland, OR in 1991 and continues to enjoy sharing her love of the piano with students age 5+ (including adults) out of her studio in SE Portland near Clackamas.

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Child Playing Piano
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"Eithne Boyer is a highly-skilled, dedicated, kind and patient piano teacher. She is able to convey the importance of what the student is working towards (technique, rhythm, feeling of a piece, precision) in such a gentle, easy way; the student naturally strives towards excellence."

- Adult Student

Memberships

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How It Works

Eithne Boyer offers private piano lessons in SE Portland. Lessons are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Lessons are scheduled weekly September through June, with a two week Winter Break at Christmas and a one week Spring Break in March. Lessons in July and August are available on request.​

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These private lessons are 30 minutes for beginners, or 45-60 minutes for more advanced students. Ear-training and music theory are incorporated into the lessons.​ Students must have access to a piano/keyboard for at-home practice. See the Resources page for more information, links to recommended equipment, and recordings of Suzuki pieces.

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Lessons are $35 per 30 minute time slot, ($52.50 per 45 minute lesson, $70 per 60 minute lesson). Monthly tuition is due at or before the first lesson of each month for that month. Invoices may be paid by check, Venmo, or Zelle.

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Suzuki Piano Studio offers two Student Recitals each year as an opportunity for students to build skills in performance and to be able to share what they have been working on with their broader community. Student participation in these recitals is encouraged, but not required. Other student opportunities include participation in the Oregon Music Teacher Association Syllabus Exams and Festivals, and Suzuki Association of the Americas Summer Institutes.

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Make-up lessons are available for up to 2 missed lessons per student per term. Terms are: Fall (Sept-Dec), Winter (January-March), Spring (April-June). Make-up lessons are scheduled based on availability during Portland Public Schools Winter Break, Spring Break, and in the month of June. No credits are given except for lessons canceled by the teacher. 



The age of the student, as well as how much the parent is able to attend lessons and work with the student at home are important considerations in choosing between Suzuki Method or Traditional lessons. Feel free to reach out with questions or to schedule an initial trial lesson.

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Start Lessons at Suzuki Piano Studio

Located in SE Portland near Clackamas.

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7929 SE 106th Ave.

Portland, OR 97266

503-799-7973

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​Please reach out with questions or send a message to get started scheduling a free trial lesson.

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