Lessons
Our Approach
At Heatons Piano Studio, nurturing each student's unique musical voice is our passion. Ryan and Sarah, RNCM alumni with over 20 years of combined teaching experience, tailor piano lessons to suit learners of all ages and skill levels. Our approach blends traditional techniques with modern methods, providing a supportive and comprehensive learning experience.
Ryan, alongside teaching, has an active performing career, while Sarah's expertise as an HCPC registered music therapist extends to helping individuals with a wide range of needs. Their diverse skills and breadth of experience enrich the ethos at HPS, catering to a broad spectrum of students.
At HPS, we're all about celebrating music and the sense of community it brings. We encourage students to take part in our biannual concerts, and provide opportunities for students to perform in music festivals too.
- Fundamentals of Piano PlayingGrasping the basics of posture, hand positioning, and note reading.
- Technique and ExpressionDeveloping skillful playing and emotional expressiveness.
- Music TheoryUnderstanding the building blocks of music to enhance playing and improvisation abilities.
- Performance SkillsBuilding confidence for those aspiring to perform publicly.
Pricing
£21.5
£31.5
£40
£56.5
Lesson Scheduling and Payment Details
Piano lessons are conducted during term-time, targeting around 38 sessions each year. Term dates are provided two terms ahead for planning. Invoicing is done at each half-term's beginning, covering that period's lessons. There's also the option to pay for a full term in advance if preferred. Should you need to discontinue lessons, please be aware that our cancellation policy requires a notice of 4 lessons.
I would highly recommend Sarah and Ryan without hesitation
Thanks to Sarah and Ryan, my son has been learning with them for more than 4 years now. Sarah is very kind, patient, and each lesson is well planned and prepared. My son has not only learned how to play piano, but also learned about different music periods, the musical characters of different composers and he even loves to create his own pieces by the encouragement of Sarah. Ryan covered lessons during Sarah's maternity leave and he always encouraged my son to think independently.
Guanzhen & Jia
Meet the Teachers
Ryan Drucker
Ryan enjoys guiding and inspiring students of all ages and abilities, nurturing their innate passion for creating music of any style.
Ryan studied at the RNCM and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, earning a BMus, MMus, and Artistic Diploma. His lessons at HPS are always fresh and varied with activities away from the piano for younger learners, and duets to experience chamber music at any standard, adding an extra layer of enjoyment with four hands on the keyboard! Ryan is equally dedicated to helping students grasp and relish the expansive realm of classical music, suggesting local concerts, recently released CDs, and introducing exciting artists each month. As a performer, Ryan's most notable achievements include reaching the quarterfinals of the highly competitive Leeds International Competition and performing in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Spain. Explore more on Ryan's website at www.ryandrucker.co.uk.
Sarah Denman
With a teaching journey that began in 2011, Sarah quickly gained a reputation for infusing each lesson with vibrant energy and enthusiasm.
Sarah studied classical piano at the RNCM starting in 2009, during which she actively performed solo concerts and collaborated with orchestras. Alongside her passion for teaching, Sarah pursued a career in music therapy, completing her Masters in 2015. Since then, she has been working with the charity Nordoff and Robbins, currently serving as the Regional Manager for the North West and North Wales team which facilitates music therapy work in 60 different locations across the region. Sarah enjoys thinking of creative and imaginative approaches to bring musical concepts to life for students of all ages. Drawing from her experience in music therapy, where improvisation plays a key role, Sarah sees the benefits of incorporating this element into lessons, complementing traditional teaching methods and note reading. This varied and dynamic teaching style aims to help students develop technique, deepen their understanding of harmony, and explore musical styles in a tangible and engaging way.
Start Your Musical Adventure at Heatons Piano Studio!
Book your first lesson now and dive into the joy of piano playing. For any queries, check our FAQs below or contact us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely not! At Heatons Piano Studio, we welcome aspiring learners of all ages, from 5 to 85! We often hear adults saying something to the effect of “…that’s my one regret, not learning to play when I was a child”. We’re so inspired by our older students who choose to put themselves in the position of a learner, whilst often experts in their respective careers. We have lots of experience finding the right tutor books and pieces for you so that learning doesn’t feel childlike, but something that keeps you coming back to the piano for more!
Every child is unique and develops at different rates, and therefore it’s not possible to say for definite whether this age is the best age to begin learning. Some children are extremely focussed and motivated at a very young age, whereas others benefit from waiting a couple more years. The key is to remember that by starting later, you are not disadvantaging your child. For example, Sarah began learning aged 12, and (after a lot of hard graft) still studied at music conservatoire at the age of 19! If you’re not sure, a chat with Ryan or Sarah may help, and potentially a trial lesson to decide for certain.
While having an acoustic piano is wonderful, it's not a prerequisite for starting lessons. Good quality digital pianos are more than sufficient in the early stages. If you decide to invest in a piano later on, we're here to guide you through the process having supported many students in their journey to find the right piano for them, whatever the budget.
For beginners, we typically recommend lessons lasting between 30-45 minutes, adjusting based on the student's age, concentration and motivation. Advanced and/or adult learners may find a 60-minute session beneficial for more detailed exploration and faster progress.
We understand everyone has busy lives, different time commitments, and different ideas on how they want their piano learning to feature in their lives (from wanting to progress quickly through graded exams, to those wanting to just relax with the piano after school or work). The key is to find regular, shorter practice sessions (for beginners, we recommend around 15 minutes, four times a week). Of course, the more you can practice, the faster you’ll progress!
Just yourself! The first lesson is a chance for us to get acquainted and explore the very fundamentals of playing the piano. Afterward, we'll provide recommendations for books to enhance your musical journey.
Not at all! While some students choose ABRSM and Trinity exams, it's entirely a personal decision. Exams can be a useful goal but are by no means obligatory. For those who wish to do exams, we have many years of experience preparing students for these and so we can advise not only on how best to prepare, but which exam board might be preferable for you.
Get In Touch
We'd be thrilled to hear from you. Whether you're contemplating embarking on a musical journey, looking for coaching to refine your skills, or require an accompanist or quality rehearsal space, we're here to help.