paula dechelly

inspiring students

When I teach, I see myself as a caring guide. I teach each student according to their learning style, talent, situation and goals. I believe it’s important for my students to have a working understanding of the basics as well as finding joy playing what excites them. My ultimate goal is helping students “make music”. My teaching encourages, supports and inspires this.

Lessons online or in-person

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Private Piano Lessons

Piano students come to me from ages 4 to 80 with different learning styles, abilities, and goals. I meet them where they are and guide them, using my expertise, to reach their highest level of success. I teach basic techniques such as functional hand position and finger movement. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;} I teach them to read notes and learn how to translate notions into their fingers. Ultimately, my goal is for my students to be able to make beautiful music. To this end, I write out songs that they want to Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;} play at their exact level. I find that this allows them to have the experience of putting all their hard work on technique Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;} into the music that excites them. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;} I teach them to read

Composition

I start my students composing music right away. This gives them the opportunity to push themselves to put what they are learning into practice. It also gives me feedback on what they understand and what they don't. Working with students who want to compose music at a more advanced level is one of my favorite things to teach. I enjoy giving basic information and watching how that transfers into beautiful music.

Private Violin Lessons

I use the Suzuki method to start violin students. This method doesn't use note reading but instead students learn by ear, listening to a CD of pieces they are learning. Playing the violin requires you to think about many things. Eliminating note reading allows students to give more attention to acquiring correct technique. Reading notes is easy once basic technique is mastered.

Private Viola Lessons

Learning to play the viola follows the same process as the violin--using the Suzuki method. This method allows students to shift their attention from one basic technique to another. Then, they play music with the correct position, understand how they can "fix" problems themselves, and develop a deep connection with music.

kind words

“My middle-schooler was having a difficult time. My husband and I were getting a divorce and my kid was lost. His grades were horrible. He had no friends. He became someone I’d never seen—constantly angry and argumentative. Even the therapist I found him wasn’t getting through. Someone told me about Paula deChelly. My son had expressed an interest in playing piano before things fell apart. It was worth a try. Paula was a master at connecting with my son. He loved the support and encouragement she gave him. He seemed to be remembering who he was. Playing the piano empowered him and gave him a way to express himself. I don’t know what would have happened if we hadn’t found Paula deChelly! I will always be grateful!”

Dolores Maloy

“My daughter has down syndrome. Her occupational therapist suggested playing the piano as a way to help her develop finger independence and coordination. Plus, since she was a baby she responded favorably to music. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t ask to listen to music. She loves Paula deChelly! She asks many times a day if this is the day she can go and play with her. Her attention span has increased a lot. She can play with a finger on each hand together. She loves it when Paula plays and she dances around. I am thrilled because it makes her SO HAPPY!”

Carla Hutchison

“I was looking for a teacher who started violin students with the Suzuki method. My daughter was 8 when we found Paula deChelly. She absolutely fell in love with playing the violin. She couldn’t wait for her lessons. She just graduated from high school. In the center of her graduation cake was a violin. She couldn’t wait to show it to Miss Paula. She has signed up to play in her college orchestra and I suspect she will play violin through her life. Paula has given her so much!”

Catherine Morris

Blog posts

Tips For Practicing

My middle school and high school students have one thing in common when it comes to practicing—they are impatient. Sometimes I wonder if part of

Learning Valuable Life Skills

Many people think learning to play a musical instrument is just that. When I tell them it is a whole lot more they can’t believe