Alchemist Piano develops piano skills, confidence and creativity in young musicians.
As a teacher, Dr. Loreta Kovacic is eclectic in her choice of music and focused on inspiring children of all ages to be creative thinkers and artists, not just musicians. She engages her students through a variety of methods and skills such as music theory, piano composition, piano technique, sight-reading, using musical concepts, singing, songwriting, improvisation and performance.
A good starting age to study piano is when a child turns 6 or 7. This is not a rule: many musicians started playing very early or very late in life. However it is made clear that along with inspiration, there must be perspiration to be successful – students are required to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
Loreta believes in the magical power of music as well as challenging her students. Twice a year, student concerts are scheduled at a variety of venues in Houston. The choice of music performed is very eclectic, ranging from Beethoven to Beatles. Students are exposed to all styles of music and find their own interests within them.
Loreta’s students have continued their studies at HSPVA, Oberlin Conservatory and other Universities.
Dr. Kovacic holds a Bachelor’s degree from Zagreb Music Conservatory in Croatia, and a Doctorate Degree in Music from Rice U. in Houston. She builds her style on European lineage of dedicated piano teachers. Loreta is active as a performing artist and a composer as well. She is a Grammy nominated children’s music composer and Carnegie Hall soloist. Her music has been played on the International Space Station but is also available here on Earth on Amazon and Youtube.
LESSONS INFO: alchemistpiano@sbcglobal.net
Fall SEMESTER starts in September and ends in December (following a public school schedule, holidays included) a total of four months. Spring semester is five months. Piano lessons start on the second week of public school schedule and end one week before the end of school. Fall semester is one month shorter then the Spring semester. There is an average of 4 lessons per month including the final piano performance. A $ 20 registration and supply fee is added to your tuition. The final Winter concert is usually at Lights in the Heights, on the second Saturday in December, time and date to be announced. The final Spring concert is usually at Rice University or Heights Women’s club. I will stay in touch with you via email.
TUITION COST
30 minutes lesson ($140 per month) Fall semester cost =$ 580, Spring=$ 720
45 minutes lesson ($180 per month) Fall semester cost =$ 740, Spring=$ 920
60 minutes lesson ($240 per month) Fall semester cost =$ 980, Spring=$ 1220
(Individual 30 minute lesson for adults= $37 and 45 minute lesson= $47)
TUITION should be paid in full no later than your second class. Please make checks payable to: Loreta Kovacic (not AlchemistPiano) and drop them off at your lessons or mail them to 701 Byrne street, Houston TX 77009.
REGULATIONS and PIANO INFO
* Students are required to bring their music and materials to class.
* Each student is required to play the piano every day at least 30 minutes. Students cannot improve without this daily commitment.
For beginners it is best to take a 30minute lesson weekly and for intermediate students (ages 10 and up) it is best to take a 45minute to an hour lesson weekly.
* Alchemist piano policy does not include any make up lessons. Your tuition secures your time slot, which is always there just for you. You do not have to call to cancel the lesson, because your time slot will remain open and unused. Make up lessons are very difficult to schedule due to the Alchemist’s busy teaching and performance schedule.
* Exceptionally, lessons can be held at the student house instead of the Alchemist Piano studio. In that case, add the cost of a 30 minute lesson per semester ($580 or $720) to your tuition. This is for inside the loop students only.
* Each student must have a piano at home or an access to a piano daily.
Beginners can practice on an electric keyboard with a weighted key action but after two or three years, they need to switch to an acoustic piano.
* Students need to listen to music, and go to hear live performances. There are many free concerts in Houston at Rice University or other venues.
HAVE A GREAT MUSICAL SEMESTER! Ms. Loreta (“the Alchemist”)