Hi! I’m Dr. Mike Zachary, and I’ve been teaching piano since 1982. I think playing the piano is a joy, and teaching is a great pleasure.
I have been extensively trained in classical piano, and one of my specialties is teaching arranging and improvisation to church pianists.
on the classical side: Back in 1991, I earned the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where I studied piano with Herman Spier and musicology with Enrique Arias. My dissertation was titled Style and Structure in Selected Viennese Keyboard Fantasias of the Early Nineteenth Century, and it was inspired by a two-recital series I performed illustrating the development of the keyboard fantasia from the late 16th century through the late 20th century.
on the church music side: I am a church pianist; I have edited two hymnals that have been distributed worldwide; I have conducted hymn playing seminars across America, in Canada, in Korea, and in the Philippines; and I wrote Hymn Playing: Step-By-Step Instructions for Learning to Play the Piano for Church, a book that has already been translated into Korean and is now being translated into Spanish. In addition, I have published various educational materials and recorded a number of CDs.
as a teacher: I teach students of all ages. Recently, I started teaching a young girl who was not quite five years old. Some years ago, I took on a new student who began piano lessons at age seventy-eight. Though certain principles must remain constant in teaching, I find that each student needs an individual path in order to experience maximum growth.
topics: Piano students should receive a well-rounded education, so I incorporate elements of music theory, music history, and composition into piano lessons. I believe pianists should be musicians, not technicians.
For students who are interested in professional topics, I also offer private instruction in music theory, including such topics as harmony, music analysis, counterpoint, musical form, and arranging.
rate: Each hour lesson is $75, and each half-hour lesson is $40. Normally, students take one lesson per week; but scheduling is worked out on a case-by-case basis.
contact: If you are ready to schedule lessons or if you have questions, please fill out this form or call my mobile phone at (408) 205-8464.
Selected Publications:
Hymn Playing: Step-By-Step Instructions for Learning to Play the Piano for Church
Mike D. Zachary Piano Method, Level One
Theory Facts, a computer program for mastering the basic materials of music
Kids’ Chords, a workbook to help students recognize major triads
Songs & Hymns of Revival, managing editor
More Songs & Hymns of Revival, managing editor
Revival Choir I, choral arrangements
Revival Choir II, choral arrangements
Is It Fake, or Is It Real?, a book about the principles of education
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