Lessons Offered
Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
I have over 25 years of piano teaching experience. I obtained my Bachelors and Masters degrees from Northwestern University and believe strongly in keeping myself up to date by attending teachers' workshops.
While a good grounding in the classics makes sense when studying the piano (Bach, Beethoven, etc.), I also expose my students to many kinds of piano music (jazz, pop, folk, sacred, etc.) so they can discover what speaks to them! There is so much to choose from these days and I am open to where the students want to go, as long as they are willing to work diligently and continue to make progress.
I teach 45 minute lessons for those 7 years and older, 30 minute lessons for younger students. This gives us the time to work on technique (the physical aspects of playing the piano), theory (the reading of music) and the music pieces themselves.
Music can have such a profound influence on a person - giving him/her much joy and a sense of accomplishment! Music instruction teaches not only the proper way to play the instrument, but valuable life skills like persistence, consistency, time management, self-discipline and self-motivation. Piano teachers have the privilege of spending one-on-one time with your child, often for many years, so it is important to find one that you and your child feel good about.
My Musical Education Background
Undergraduate and Masters degrees from Northwestern University in Performance Studies. 25+ years piano teaching experience in Northeastern Ohio area
Associate Organist for St. Basil the Great in Brecksville, Ohio
Solo and Ensemble Accompanist
Woodridge High School and Middle School Choir Accompanist
Member of Ohio Federation of Music Clubs and National Music Teachers Association
Lesson Rates
Please contact me for this information. I teach one 45 minute lesson per week, one 30 minute lesson per week for children 1st grade or younger.
Higher rates apply for teaching at your home.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
All ages are welcome!
My Certifications and Awards
Member of Ohio Federation of Music Clubs
Member of National Music Teachers Association
My students participate in Ohio Federation Music Festival, if parent, student and myself are in agreement.
I have one recital at the end of the school year.
My Musical Influences
My lovely mother, Mrs. Jackie Willertz, who is currently teaching piano lessons from her home in Michigan, was my first and best influence growing up.
My current piano teacher, Mrs. Nancy Bachus, keeps me motivated and inspired! I owe her a great debt for her gift of technical skills especially.
Countless musical friends and colleagues have demonstrated the art of musical excellence in combination with the sincere desire to improve the lives of the people they touch.
Service Area
Student Reviews
Angie O
Brecksville, OH
Kathy is an exceptional piano teacher! She has taught my two daughters for over 10 years and my younger daughter is continuing with music into college. Both my daughters participated in yearly piano festival where they each consistently received Superior ratings. Kathy is a very talented pianist, a highly qualified teacher, and a lovely person. I highly recommend Kathy as a piano teacher.
Kathryn M
Streetsboro, OH
Kathy Savinell taught our children for 3 years. She is a friendly, professional, and patient teacher. The children all progressed very quickly, enjoyed learning piano, and were encouraged by Mrs. Savinell. We were so sad when she moved away and we highly recommend her as a piano teacher!
Tom &
Stow, OH
Kathy Savinell was the piano teacher for our 4 children for 5 years. Her passion for music influenced all of them in ways I did not expect. The fundamentals they learned through piano bled through into other instruments that they each chose to play in addition to piano, including violin, cello, drums, and guitar. As the children grew older Kathy mixed in more modern music to hold their interest into high school. I'm indebted to Kathy for the love of music that she inspired in all of my children.