My Approach
Piano Lessons are designed for every student as an individual to fit his or her learning style. While some students go on to major in music, most do not. I believe that piano lessons teach a lifelong skill of making music and other important skills including self-confidence, self-esteem and working hard to achieve a goal.
Private Lessons
Private piano lessons for all ages are one-hour in length and include one-half hour lesson at the piano and one-half hour technology lab session.
Group Lessons
Groups of four students come together for one-hour lessons. Approximately one-half of the lesson time is spent working together at the piano and the remaining time is spent working in the technology lab or other games, duets, ensembles, and activities. Each student has their own piano and iPad for the entire hour.
There are several benefits to group lessons including the social aspect and the opportunity to more easily develop listening, rhythm, and ensemble skills.
Motivation
Each year, students are motivated to practice with an incentive program Michelle writes. Last year, students took a trip around the world on a giant game board hung on the studio wall, to meet and learn about composers and music. For each day they practice their required amount, they earned a space on the game board, and for each destination reached, they earned a postcard from that particular place. Students are motivated to practice and in turn, it shows in their progress.
Technology Lab
Michelle Sisler has become a national leader in making an effective technology lab, teaching teachers around the globe how to have a successful lab as well. Students of Keys to Imagination Piano Studio are excited to use iPads to help them learn music concepts.
While the lab never replaces what we do in lessons, it is an opportunity to reinforce what they are working in during lessons, directly correlated to their method books with Michelle’s Music Theory App Map.
Piano Lesson Technology Lab activities include:
- Working on the iPad with an attached digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CVP Professional Piano) to practice and reinforce theory, complete ear training, sight reading or improve rhythm skills.
- Learn about composers to gain a better understanding of music history and develop music appreciation through programs and apps and educational websites.
- Explore composition and create their own music using a digital piano and notation software, including multi-layer songs.
- Record music for feedback and keepsake.
- Record Green Screen Videos
Performances
Concerts and recitals give Keys to Imagination’s piano students an opportunity to share their accomplishments. Several opportunities for performing are part of the Keys to Imagination program including:
- Halloween recital, where students dress up in their Halloween costumes and perform for family, friends & residents of The Brooks.
- Christmas Concert, previously held at the Medford School auditorium, is our most impressive concert of the year, complete with digital ensembles and multimedia.
- Duet Festival, where students play a duet or ensemble for a judge and earn ribbons based on their performance. Superior ratings also receive a medal.
- Spring Recital, where students showcase what they have accomplished during the year playing for family, friends & residents of The Brooks.
- As a member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, Michelle’s students have the opportunity to participate in the MMTA theory exams & contests.
Your Instructor
When Michelle was little, she used to sit down at her piano and play songs, by ear, along with the jukebox. This is how her parents discovered her talent and love for music and enrolled her in piano lessons at the age of seven.
Michelle’s initial five students quickly grew into 50, ages 6-83. She is highly sought after for piano lessons and presentations across the country. She enjoys being creative in her teaching, making lessons interesting, fun, and effective for all students. Michelle’s use of technology and creative teaching materials has gained her national recognition and a unique place at the forefront of music education. Her materials, being used by teachers around the globe, allow them to incorporate technology and creativity into their lessons as well.
Michelle frequently presents sessions at The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Music Teachers National Association, Music Teachers Association of California, MusicEdConnect.com, and many state conferences and local groups, including the summer staff at the University of St. Thomas and the Gifted and Talented Institute in Savage, MN. She is a member of MMTA, has served on the Board of Directors for the MMTA Foundation. Michelle is also a member of the technology committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and was presented with a Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Award in Chicago in 2023, an award that recognizes contributions and service to the organization as well as your committed leadership in the profession.
Michelle’s graduate work in Instructional design has helped her author materials for a successful studio lab, Music Theory App Map, and motivation programs such as A Walk on the Wild Side, Road Trip: America the Beautiful, Sebastian Sharp and the Case of the Missing Manuscript and Where in the World is Mr. Arpeggio?, Manhattan Medallion Hunt, and a world music program, Are We There Yet? A Musical Journey Around the Globe. Michelle also now publishes and writes theory games such as Rhythm Riot, Note Wordy Spelling Bee, Don’t Fret, Harmonic Hike, Composer Chaos, and more.
One of the highlights of Michelle’s career is the opportunity to teach Yamaha’s Passport to Music program on Crystal Cruises, an honor few teachers have. During her 12-day trip, she taught piano to mainly adults from around the world while sailing in the Mediterranean.
Michelle currently lives in Owatonna, MN, with her husband, Kevin and their twins, Brandon and Brianna. In her spare time, she enjoys scrapbooking and traveling.