Learn Piano
Premium Piano Lessons in NYC for Adults
With Jonathan Baker
Expressing Yourself in Music
Did you take piano lessons years ago and want to revive your love of music? Do you want to start again, but don’t know how to begin? Are you an experienced pianist, but your piano practice seems stalled?
Many pianists waste years trying to overcome obstacles that could be solved in minutes. There is a way forward.
As a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music (B.M., M.M.), with thirty years of professional performing and teaching experience, I guide students to overcome obstacles and realize their musical potential using proven methods that work.
My students are busy adults who want to learn to use their time as efficiently as possible to make the most progress. They come from diverse backgrounds: some are college students, while many are active or retired professionals in finance or medicine.
Some students are experienced amateur pianists seeking new perspectives on musical interpretation and technique, while others are complete beginners eager to develop artistic expression and personal growth.
Helping students at all levels is a rewarding adventure, and what they share is an enthusiastic love of music and a dedication to taking their talents to the next level.
Some students take their piano playing skills to the next level by learning to play the music they love. That way, they can develop their technique and musicianship directly through the music they love to play. I often ask students to write down their dream list of pieces they would love to learn as the starting point of their musical journey.
Other students feel more comfortable with progressive method books that provide them with systematic and objective markers of their musical progress, including ABRSM examinations as positive goals. Either approach delivers successful results when the student is dedicated and consistent.
I am a patient and experienced instructor, eager to help you achieve your musical goals.
The piano was my first love. I have been playing the piano every day since I was seven years old, and I do not regret one minute I spent on the keyboard.
No one had to push me to practice—I couldn't wait to get home from school and dive into the keyboard. My progress increased rapidly, and by the time I was 16, I made my debut playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto in C minor in La Jolla’s Sherwood Hall with the San Diego Symphony.
I was raised in Southern California, where I was fortunate to be a student of Dr. Grace Volkman, a student of the venerable pianist Artur Schnabel. Her no-nonsense approach to musicianship and technique made my advanced study possible.
Study & Degrees
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, I have performed hundreds of times and taught hundreds of piano students for over thirty-five years. To prepare for my Bachelor's degree at the Manhattan School of Music, I studied with Florence Stephenson, a renowned chamber music specialist at the University of Southern California, who studied with Tobias Matthay. I also studied with Robert Harvey, a concert pianist and student of the legendary Rosina Lhevinne, who passed Lhevinne’s methods on to me. I then studied privately with Adele Marcus of the Juilliard School before completing my Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music, where I won the Pennington International Competition, was awarded the Ceravalo Prize for excellence in the performance of J.S. Bach, and performed in masterclasses with John Browning and Earl Wild.
Complete Musician
A full-time working musician, I am a piano soloist, accompanist, teacher, writer, organist, and choral conductor. My additional studies with the internationally renowned concert organist Walter Baker gave me a mastery of the pipe organ technique and repertoire. I also studied conducting with Thomas Schippers of the Metropolitan Opera. However, even with my varied musical education and experience, I have always maintained the piano as the central focus of my musical development.
In addition to my work as a pianist and teacher, I have served as Director of Music at St. James Episcopal Church at Fordham University and at the United Moravian Church in Harlem, where, as an advocate for social justice, I founded the Ebony Choir. The increasing number of requests from prospective students for Sunday lessons persuaded me to relinquish my choral conducting positions for my piano students.
I have a passion for teaching, and draw on over thirty-five years of experience in performing and teaching as I mentor fellow musicians seeking guidance. I dedicate myself to intensive daily practice and constant growth as a musical artist. I love exploring new ideas, deepening my knowledge, and staying connected with the vibrant musical community.
I began teaching at the age of 13. Here I am instructing Jackie, one of my first students. From the very beginning, I have been supportive of students and dedicated to helping them develop their ability to read music, build technique, and appreciate the expressive qualities of music. These are the skills I gratefully received from my truly excellent teachers.
What You Learn
TECHNIQUE
Developing skill at the keyboard is within everyone's reach with dedicated practice and professional guidance Discover the proven methods that help you improve finger articulation, as well as build speed, flexibility, strength, and poise. Keep at it, and you'll see your abilities grow!
EXPRESSION
Unleash your creativity through music! Learn how to control the expressive possibilities through tempo and tempo rubato, discover how to phrase melodic lines to reveal their beauty, and learn how to project sound and create subtleties of nuance and grand symphonic sonorities.
MUSIC THEORY
Learn how music is made with chords, scale patterns, and overall form. These basic elements of music are not taught in separate, tedious theory book assignments. Instead, I seamlessly integrate them into the music you love to play, creating a smooth, effortless path to the knowledge you can use, making learning quicker and more secure!
SIGHT-READING
Sight-reading is a wonderful skill for any pianist to develop! Having sight-read music in thousands of rehearsals, both as a music director and an accompanist, I’m excited to share the effective techniques I have discovered. These will streamline your learning process and guide you forward to greater accomplishment.
PEDALING
The great 19th-century pianist, Anton Rubinstein, called the pedal “The soul of the piano.” Students new to the piano are often surprised at the power of the piano pedals! Learn how to use the damper pedal, which lifts the dampers off the strings and allows them to vibrate freely, producing a rich, resonant sound and a smooth legato. I teach the effective and innovative use of pedaling that enables you to play a vast array of tonal colors and enhances your playing with richer sonority.
SUCCESS
Many piano students around the world struggle with confusion when practicing. But my solutions offer you practical, effective practice strategies so you gain the best results for your time and energy. Knowing how to practice accelerates your grown for faster results. Effective practice methods are the key to achieving keyboard success!
"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music". — Billy Joel
Advantages of Private Lessons
Personalized Attention ・Insightful Feedback ・Engaging
Private piano lessons are more effective than any app at providing personalized attention, insightful feedback, and an engaging learning experience, making your learning journey more enjoyable and, ultimately, more successful.
SOLUTIONS
Every pianist encounters their own set of challenges, and I’m here to help you overcome them. I provide practical solutions tailored to your questions - something no online app can truly replicate. With my quick feedback, grounded in decades of performing and teaching experience, you can avoid months or reven years of frustration spent searching online for answers. I find it rewarding to support your musical journey!
HAND POSITIONS
Many pianists, regardless of skill level, may not realize that their hand positions, fingering, and overall posture can hinder their progress. While no app can catch these vital details, a skilled piano teacher will quickly notice these issues and offer encouraging, helpful advice to help you enjoy a healthier and more enjoyable playing experience.
FLEXIBILITY
Even though apps run on preset, mechanical instructions, remember, you’re not a machine! Every thoughtful teacher knows how important it is to stay alert and adaptable in their approach to help each student achieve their potential. With my years of experience, I embrace the challenges of customizing lessons to fit your unique needs, so you feel supported and inspired every step of the way.
VISIBILITY
A knowledgeable teacher can see you as an individual and can value your artistic talents and aspirations. They can foresee your future growth and provide encouragement, inspiring concepts, and the moral support that every musician needs throughout their journey.
CHOICES
Unlike any other piano app, a teacher can demonstrate a vast array of musical expressions that no machine-based app can begin to replicate. This extraordinary variety of creative possibilities not only enhances your learning experience but also helps you develop your distinctive artistic voice.
Whether you are drawn to the classical repertoire such as Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, or contemporary arrangements of pop and musicals from sheet music arrangements, contact me for a free consultation and get started on your musical journey!
In-Person & Online Lessons
“I started piano lessons at age five and stopped cold at age twelve. With great sensitivity, patience, and creativity, Jonathan Baker helped me get back on track as a pianist after decades away from the instrument. From our first lesson, his warm manner and courtesy put me at ease. He has taken my aspirations seriously and encouraged me while creating the appropriate program to develop my skills. Working with Mr. Baker has been a delight.” — Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize for History, National Book Award for History
"Jonathan Baker is a true Maestro. He is a master pianist and a master music teacher and taught our son George Erich. He is a great person who is patient, kind, and incredibly dedicated to his students. His love of piano and music is a true gift." — Birgit Gill
“I've had many music teachers, from private lessons to college professors, but your methods rank the highest. Your ability to articulate solutions, remain patient, and provide positive feedback makes the learning process successful. It's rare to find someone with great playing and teaching ability.” — Stephen Cho
“I had never played piano before. After two years, I could play my favorite tunes. Jonathan is a great teacher and gives one hundred percent to his students. Lessons are always a pleasure, and I am forever grateful to Jonathan for helping me follow my dream. I do personally recommend him. He is the best piano teacher.” — Jana Casas
“I cannot think of anyone today who knows more about the piano and its methods of instruction than Jonathan Baker. A life-long student who made his debut with the San Diego Symphony, Jonathan is thorough, kind, patient, and—above all—practical: meeting you where you are and giving you the tools to get where you want to go, whether that is playing for your own pleasure or as a professional. I highly recommend him.” — Daniel Shigo, The Art of Bel Canto
The Baker Piano Studio
In-person piano lessons are held at my teaching studio on West 69th Street, steps from Central Park, and are easily accessible via the B/C, 1, 2, and 3 subway lines. Located on one of Manhattan’s most beautiful streets, the area hosts dozens of restaurants and coffeehouses.
The Baker Piano Studio is spacious and comfortable, and possesses a well-maintained grand piano and a fully stocked piano music library.
Online Piano Lessons are available to students worldwide, including those in the United States, Asia, and Europe. If you are interested in making the most of online lessons, this helpful link provides an excellent guide to get you started.
The Baker Piano Studio is constantly in demand, and I can accept only a limited number of students.
Students enter a welcoming, supportive atmosphere where busy adult amateur pianists can grow their talent, experiment with musical possibilities, and discover new music while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.
I teach students how to resolve technical obstacles with efficient, time-saving methods that really work. Learning to practice with maximum efficiency helps you avoid wasting precious time and memorize without stress.