Hands Together Piano Studio, Cheryl Woodford, Owner

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Hands Together Piano Studio is a beautiful home-based studio located in Willow Grove, PA. It is conveniently located right off of Route 611 or Davisville Road. There is ample street parking.

Lessons are given on top quality instruments: a Mason & Hamlin upright piano and a Steinway grand piano.

I have been a full-time piano teacher since 1993. I teach classical piano lessons, which includes popular, new age, church music, and any other kind of music a student wants to play! I have a flexible teaching style based on student needs and interests. I strive to make lessons both fun and challenging. Please read the testimonials!

I have been playing the piano since age 6 and continue to take lessons today, to continue to improve my playing and teaching skills. Piano is the joy of my life. I am happy to be able to pass on the gift of music to my students.

Call today to schedule a free introductory session!

My Musical Education Background

I started to take piano lessons at age 6 from the neighborhood teacher, and continued lessons through high school.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Pittsburgh and took graduate level music classes at Temple University.

I opened Hands Together Piano Studio in 1993.

I am a 'Nationally Certified Teacher of Music' (NCTM) through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

In 2009, I earned my permanent certification through the MTNA.

I am a member of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association and was president of my local chapter for four years. I am also an active member of the Piano Teachers Forum of New Jersey.

I take lessons myself to this day, to continue to improve my playing and teaching skills.

Genres and Subjects Taught

I have been a full time piano teacher since 1993. I have experience teaching students of all ages and abilities.

Since all students are different, I find a learning approach that works best for each student. I use a variety of teaching methods, both traditional and alternative, both reading-based and non-reading-based.

I believe the teacher is more important than the method.  Since I have been teaching piano for about 30 years, I have a lot of experience guiding my students to play their very best.  I want my students to play as effortlessly as possible, as well as being excellent readers, and strive to teach excellent technique from the very beginning.  

My teaching style is flexible, fun and challenging.  I always try to teach songs that my students enjoy.  There is so much piano music available to learn from.  I often make videos of a student's pieces during lessons so they can watch them if needed at home.  Parents are welcome to video the listen as well.  

If you go to my website, you can watch videos of my students playing.

If you are ready to begin piano lessons, please call Hands Together Piano Studio to schedule a FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION.

Lesson Rates

Please call for rates.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

Students can begin lessons as early as age 5. I teach all ages from 5 to senior adults. About 30% of the students here are adults, most of whom started as beginners.

My Certifications and Awards

Bachelor of Arts in Music, University of Pittsburgh; Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano through the Music Teachers National Association (NCTM)

My Musical Influences

I love to listen to many different kinds of music. I love the calming piano arrangements by Jeff Bjorck of traditional church hymns, the romantic classical piano music of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, the evocative piano and orchestral music of Grieg, Debussy and Mussourgsky , and the more modern piano music of Bartok, Hovhaness and Scriabin. I love Indian ragas by Ravi Shankar, classic rock, Cole Porter, Bluegrass and Cajun, Johnny Cash and Steve Earle. I also learn a lot from my young students who keep me up to date on the latest popular songs.

My favorite TV shows are The Voice and So You Think You Can Dance.

Service Area

Kayla
Roslyn, PA

Having been through a few piano teachers for my daughter, Cheryl Woodford is by far the best teacher I've encountered. Not only that, my daughter absolutely loves going to piano class! Cheryl's patience and ability to connect with kids makes her uniquely suited to teach children and connect with them. I'm in awe of just how much my daughter loves to come home from her lessons excited to play on the piano. Cheryl doesn't needlessly harp on the minutiae, but focuses on exactly what is needed for a particular lesson. This has proven to be very successful in helping my daughter get better and better at playing the piano. I highly recommend Hands Together Piano Studio to anyone who is seriously interested in getting lessons for their child. You will not find a more talented and gifted teacher than Cheryl Woodford.

Lilianne A
Huntingdon Valley, PA

I began taking lessons from Cheryl six years ago. It has always been on my bucket list to learn how to play the piano, so when I retired I decided it was time to put it into reality. Learning the piano requires patience, repetition and practice. It also requires a teacher who is patient, caring and understands the process of learning to play, plus the myriad of things required like concentration, proper fingering, counting and reading music. Cheryl has provided me with all the things to make my learning possible. I can now play many different pieces of music from classical to modern, making my journey to learn piano enjoyable.

Dana K
Glenside, PA

I have been taking lessons with Cheryl for almost ten years. She taught me not only how to play the piano beautifully, but I have become a better musician because of everything else I have learned. It has helped me to easily pick up other instruments and play. Even now at a higher level she is showing me how to improve and that I have much more to learn. I would recommend her extremely highly for any age or any ability level.

Ciara
Wynnewood, PA

I have been driving my daughter 50 minutes each way, every week for almost two years for several reasons. One, Cheryl is a great teacher who has made piano fun for my 12yr. old. Two, the program really works. My daughter is playing songs she enjoys and her friends taking piano elsewhere have told her they wish they could switch. Three, we enjoy hearing her play! I feel very lucky to have found Cheryl and the Simply Music Program! - Peggy Hervas

Angelo L
Hatboro, PA

I am amazed at how this style of teaching results in such advanced playing by the student. Miss Woodford has a real love of music and an understanding way with her students, so they love it too.

Cole W
Horsham, PA

My son has been a student of Cheryl's for a year and a half and he is doing wonderfully! By using the Simply Music method, he could play a song after his first lesson. The lessons are challenging and rewarding and Cheryl teaches not only the basics, but also let's her students be creative. I really have seen a boost in my son's self confidence and his sense of responsibility. He is very proud of working hard and seeing the results. So far it has been a great experience and I would recommend Hands Together Piano Studio for anyone who wants to learn to play the piano.