Testimonials - What Our Families Say!

Private and Group Class Families

I like my teacher and my teacher really likes me! We have a lot of fun! I like to play piano there, with her.

--Irina, Age 4

I like piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music for three major reasons: Firstly, Irina has no problem missing preschool when she's sick but she cries if she has to miss her piano lesson. Secondly, the teachers at this school know how to communicate with little kids and how to integrate "playing" and teaching; Thirdly, teachers communicate with parents frequently, and respond to questions and requests promptly and properly.

--Shao Dan, Irina's Mom

I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music because the teachers are nice and at recitals we can get awards! I also like to know that I have talent at playing piano.

--Kiran Murphy, Age 8

We are a musical family and I knew that Kiran enjoyed singing and playing with musical instruments before she started formal lessons in music. Since she started piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music Kiran has discovered that she has musical talent and is willing to practice everyday to develop her skill. She adores her teacher and gets a lot of positive, constructive feedback every week. Our two younger children listen to Kiran practicing at home and like to sing and play other instruments with her. Kiran's lessons with the Champaign School of Music have been a wonderful experience for the whole family and we look forward to many more years of musical enjoyment!

--Anu Murphy, Kiran's Mom

The Champaign School of Music is a great place to learn music! The lessons are fun and you really have fun with the teachers. Whether you are learning complex songs or just getting a feel for music, the Champaign School of Music will be the best fun you've ever had with music.

--Will Erickson, age 12

My son, Will, has taken piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music for five years. I've really been impressed with the teaching methods which have included small groups, time with parents, master classes, formal and informal recitals and CDs to use at home, as well as individual lessons. Will has developed an ear for hearing music as well as the ability to read music.

I credit Will's teacher at the Champaign School of Music with helping him gain a deeper understanding of music than either of his siblings who received more traditional lessons. Also, Will has stayed with piano longer, probably because he has fun with his teacher. Will and I both appreciate the fact that she has always treated him as an individual.

--Ann Erickson, Will's Mom

My piano teacher at the Champaign School of Music is a really good teacher to me. My teacher is really nice and makes the lessons fun. I like the songs she picks out for me to practice and to play at recitals. I like the recitals she has and the opportunity to hear other kids play their music. I like when my teacher gives out rewards and it's a great time for me. I like practicing the songs and the theory that my teacher picks out helps me know about piano. My teacher wants me to keep going and I will.

--Kaitlyn Butler, age 8

Kaitlyn has studied piano with the Champaign School of Music for two years now. She started in a group setting and moved on to private lessons when she did well and decided to continue learning more about playing the piano. I really appreciate the musical theory that she is learning, along with learning to read music. The recitals are a wonderful opportunity for the kids to experience performing in front of a group of people and see what other students are accomplishing. We've found the teachers to be very understanding and flexible when schedule changes come up unexpectedly. I love seeing the confidence boost when Kaitlyn starts the week slowly working her way through a new song then is playing it strongly and from memory at the end of the week! We're glad she is enjoying her experience with the piano and hope she continues learning and growing with it for many years.

--Donna Butler, Kaitlyn's Mom

I am a 7 year old girl and I am half Japanese and half American. I go to piano class at the Champaign School of Music once a week. I have been learning piano for about 10 months and can play over forty songs on the piano. I have had 2 piano recitals that were really fun and really crowded. My piano teacher is awesome. She is so nice and she always pushes me to become a better pianist. My favorite thing about piano school is learning new songs and then playing them for my mom and dad!

--Terra Sora Baumgartner, Age 7

In my opinion, the quality of any school simply boils down to the quality of its instructors and my daughter's piano teacher is fantastic. It is clear her teacher's life revolves around music and her passion for teaching inspires all of us. I really don't want to have to force my children to practice - so the fact that her teacher both challenges and inspires her to learn - which results in her wanting to practice - the Champaign School of Music makes music in our home a joy rather than a struggle.

--Kurt Tyson Baumgartner AIA JIA, Father of Terra Baumgartner

I like piano at Champaign School of Music because I get to see my favorite teachers and I get to learn new things about piano. I also like to learn new piano pieces and about their composers. Recitals with Champaign School of Music are fun because people get to listen to what I have learned, I get to see my friends and if I make a mistake in a recital it's o.k. as long as I always try my best.

--Katie Finn, Age 8

Katie's progress in playing piano constantly amazes our family. Champaign School of music has been a part of Katie's weekly schooling for the past 5 years. She always looks forward to her lessons and what new things she can learn. She has enjoyed working with different teachers throughout the years. All the teachers at the Champaign School of Music come with impressive professional backgrounds,their love of music shows through in the ability to patiently teach children.

Katie performed recently at a small talent show. Their were many other children playing piano, yet Katie's performance caught the attention of many of the parents. As we were leaving the talent show I had one parent after another congradulating Katie and asking us where she took piano because they were so impressed with her performance. We were pleased to reply that Champaign School of Music had been where Katie had learned piano and her love of music.

--Marilyn and Mike Finn, Katie's parents

I like playing the piano because it's a good way to express myself. I also like to perform, so I look forward to the Champaign School of music recitals.

--Sara Sunderland, Age 10

As parents who both grew up playing musical instruments, we knew we wanted our daughter to experience the joy of making music, too. The Champaign School of Music provided us with an affordable opportunity for Sara to learn to read music and play the piano in a fun, supportive environment. Over the years, we've enjoyed seeing Sara's confidence grow along with her piano skills.

--Krista and Bill Sunderland, Sara's parents

My name is Boston Terven and I am 10 years old. I have been taking piano lessons since I was 6 ½ years old. I like to play fun songs like Dragon Hunt and Take Me Out to the Ball Game. I really like my teacher. She is fun and has fun prizes and neat awards.

--Boston Terven, Age 10

My name is Lynn Cain and I am Boston Terven's grandmother. I have enjoyed seeing Boston grow in his musical abilities at Champaign School of Music. The piano lessons have given Boston more confidence in himself and now he enjoys playing at his recitals and also for family. Boston is a good student at school and enjoys doing his best at school and piano. Thanks again to all at Champaign School of Music and to all of the teachers for all of their kindness and time.

--Lynn Cain, Boston's Grandmother

I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music. When I play the piano, I feel proud when I learn how to play a new song. The teachers are good because they know how to make the lessons fun, but we still learn how to play. I especially like playing the technique exercises we do. I feel really proud and happy when I get a trophy for a practice award.

--Andy Myers, Age 9

I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music because the lessons and the teachers are fun. Learning to play the piano and playing in recitals has helped me be a better performer. I have great memories of accomplishing goals and learning new songs.

--Kate Myers, Age 11

I have been very pleased with the music instruction my children have received at the Champaign School of Music. Each of my three children learns in a different way and the teachers have been flexible and creative in bringing out the best in each of them. Through their study at the Champaign School of Music, my children have gotten a solid foundation from which to study further and to appreciate music of all kinds. They have also gained valuable experience in persisting at a challenge and feeling the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from focus and hard work. The performing opportunities at Champaign School of Music have enhanced their poise, confidence, and musicianship. I am very happy to have found a place for my children to study music that offers challenging, high quality lessons approached in an individualized, developmentally-appropriate manner.

--Suzanne Lee, Kate and Andy's Mom

What I like about Champaign School of Music is my teacher. She is very patient with me and teaches me great music.

--Aina Punsalan, Age 11

It is fun to study at Champaign School of Music. My teacher is nice and supportive, and teaches me wonderful and fun ways to get better in my music.

--Pilar Punsalan, Age 9

Champaign School of Music is a blessing to my family. Our teachers are very dynamic and challenge my kids to perform at their best, but do so with genuine concern. While my kids are learning to play for fun, they are also given the opportunities to compete, to do level-testings, and perform in recitals (which have, by now, become major events for my family). We really feel blessed to be part of this wonderful music school and look forward to many more years with it.

--Lorelei Punsalan - Aina and Pilar's Mom

Our son Walker began piano at the Champaign School of Music. He has really grown in their nurturing and friendly environment. We have been impressed by the excellent quality of his teachers who show patience and understanding, yet know when to push him further. This is a great place to start a musical education.

--Kate Kuper - Walker's (age 17) Mom

I've been studying voice at Champaign School of Music for 1 ½ years and I'm quite impressed with the quality of the teaching. My instructor has a wide range of knowledge of different genres, vocal ranges, and languages. She has great suggestions for repertoire for my voice, and is always open to my ideas as well.

She is patient and encouraging, and willing to adapt to my learning style. The master classes offer a variety of experiences not found in individual classes such as group feedback for upcoming recitals. They also provide an opportunity for learning a little more music theory or enhancing performance techniques. I think their reasonable prices combined with their excellent education are a rare find.

--Christine Mayer - Age 30-something

Champaign School of Music gives me everything I could have wanted in a music school, plus a chance to have a good time performing. In short, all I can say is: "Goodness, gracious, Great Balls of Fire!"

--Jake Smith, Age 17

When Jake was in elementary school I learned from his music teacher that he had a very good ear for mimicing the sounds he heard around him every day. The teacher suggested piano lessons for Jake which he has been taking ever since that day in third grade with various teachers. In junior high he joined the band and took up the trombone while he continued with his piano lessons on the side. Piano practice at home was often a chore. I became the pesty parent and he became the stubborn teenager who didn't want to practice. We tried music camp hoping that would inspire him but it left him less interested in playing than before. When he dropped his trombone in high school I hoped he would continue with his piano but didn't know what to do.

While looking for sheet music one day we stumbled upon a flyer for the Champaign School of Music and enrolled Jake almost two years ago. We like the fact that their teachers are well trained in both music and teaching skills and are chosen for students with similar skills and interests. Jake has been very comfortable with all his teachers at the Champaign School of Music where they understand his unique learning style. They train him in both classical and contemporary music to keep it fun and interesting and they prepare for formal and informal recitals where he has the opportunity to perform before an audience. With his training at Champaign School of Music, he was cast as a saloon piano player in the fall play where he had a major roll and loved the experience.

As a parent without piano experience, I appreciate the time Champaign School of Music staff gives me when I have questions and concerns regarding Jake's progress. They are always kind and patient, taking time to meet with me or discuss issues over the phone. I would highly recommend the Champaign School of Music to anyone. They make learning music fun!

--Suzanne Smith - Jake's mom

I thoroughly enjoyed taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music. I'd always wanted to learn how to play, even have a piano, so at 42 I decided it was time. My Grandmother had passed away and it would have meant a lot to her to know she helped pay for some classes for me.

My teacher at the Champaign School of Music was wonderful. She was cheerful, very, very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm for teaching the class. She wasn't afraid to make us play what we were learning, never scolded us for not learning quickly enough [like a younger student might have] and made it a truly enjoyable experience. I'm not going to be performing in public anytime soon, but I feel more confident sitting down at my piano now. She helped us with her encouragement and her endless enthusiasm. Mistakes were not a problem. She wanted us to play loudly and enjoy hitting the keys. - just like kids. That's a lot of why I wanted to take the class and stuck with the entire session. I wanted to come play and learn.

--Janet R. Marquissee, Age 42

Piano Prep/Early Childhood Families

I like playing piano, doing games. I like doing echoes. I like doing those animal impressions that the teachers gave us. I like that stuff a lot!

--Robbie, age 4

My name is John. I have taken Piano Prep at the Champaign School of Music since I was three. I like Piano Prep because I like playing the piano. My favorite thing about Piano Prep is doing the drums. I learned how to play Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater and Hot Cross Buns. I liked singing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt.

--John, Age 4

The piano prep teachers were obvious experts in children's music education, wonderfully capable of demonstrating the joy of singing, playing, and movement at the same time that they provided foundational knowledge. Our daughter has long been interested in hearing and making music, but her experience of these things is now much fuller, her ear much more practiced, her ability to "echo" quite impressive. She is only five years old, and it is so rewarding , for her and for the rest of her family, to see her experiencing the art of music so happily and, already, so 'expertly'.

--Ruby Tapia - Mom of 5-year-old

Every teacher that has worked with my child in the early childhood classes at the Champaign School of Music has had not only technical skill, but also a contagious enthusiasm for the subject matter and most importantly, a manner that is friendly and inviting to children. I appreciate how the instructors use the teachable moments that occur during class, (for example, using the situation where a child has been having trouble producing a steady beat to introduce the technical terms for slowing down or speeding up the beat). The teachers obviously put their time into the preparation and follow-up of each class, and that made every lesson challenging but not overwhelming for my child. My child looks forward to music class, and he's always eager to play music games at home. He is proud of his accomplishments at the keyboard, and it is a joy to see how happy playing music makes him.

--Angela Nollett - Mom of 3-year-old

The Piano Prep Class is an excellent introduction for children to music. The teachers introduce basic concepts of rhythms, notes, and musical terms in a wonderfully creative and intuitive way. I was impressed with the "multi-faceted" class activities. Children just starting to develop musical skills and more experienced children learned from the activities. The teachers are warm, enthusiastic, supportive, and talented individuals. We feel lucky to have teachers like them!

--Lisa Dhar - Mom of 3-year-old

The class was superb, the teachers astonishing in their ability to spark enthusiasm and elicit participation. They developed our child's musical skills through age appropriate and fun activities. We looked forward to it every week.

--Kristin Hoganson - Mom of 4-year-old

The teachers were great with my daughter. Conveying background information about my daughter really made a difference. I think she made more progress in the few classes after my conversation than she did previously. She has more confidence. She really enjoys interacting with her instructors. Her teachers really catered to her personality and needs which made all the difference in the world in her progress in class. She actually plays on the piano at home.

--Janeen Johnson - Mom of 4-year-old