FROM LITTLE MOZARTS TO BUSY ADULTS
Building Strong Foundations
ENGAGING LESSONS FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS
Enjoyable & Effective Piano Lessons for All Ages and Levels
For over 20 years, Kozue has taught students from ages 2 to 70 with patience, expertise, and enthusiasm. As a mother of two, she understands how to keep young children motivated and believes the early years of piano study are essential for building a strong musical foundation and lifelong learning habits.
Kozue tailors each student's curriculum to their individual interests, learning style, and goals while providing a comprehensive music education. She also enjoys helping busy adults make meaningful progress despite the demands of work and family. Beyond technical excellence, Kozue helps students discover the joy of making music that is expressive, meaningful, and personal.
Offering Advanced Piano Technique, Aural Skills, Music History, Theory & Analysis
Kozue's students have earned top honors in numerous state piano competitions and have received scholarships, cash prizes, and awards through Music Teachers Associations and local music festivals. Whether a student's goal is personal enrichment or competitive achievement, Kozue provides the guidance and expertise to help them succeed in the following areas of piano study:
Royal Conservatory Music Development Program (RCM) Piano and Theory Exam
Illinois State Comprehensive Piano Exam (AIM)
Illinois State Music Theory Exam (AIM)
Music Festivals and Competitions by Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA), Bloomington-Normal Music Teachers Association (BNMTA), and Peoria Area Music Teachers Association (PAMTA).
School of Music entrance auditions (College Level)
Chamber Music Coaching
Voice & Instrumental Accompanying
Piano Ensemble & Concerto Repertoire
Jazz and Pops Piano Arranging
Nurturing creativity, building confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love of music
Piano Lessons for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Designed for children ages two through five
Music & Movement
Join us for fun private and group lessons where young pianists learn, play, and grow together! With a mix of individual attention and group activities, students build strong musical skills while enjoying the joy of making music with friends. Kozue brings music to life with singing, movement, rhythm games, performance parties, and musical story time in a warm, encouraging environment where confidence and creativity grow.
A Supportive Team Approach
A strong partnership between teacher, child, and parent helps create the most supportive learning environment. Parents are welcome to join our fun private and group lessons and experience the joy of learning piano alongside their child. No prior musical experience or ability to read music is required. Kozue provides clear, step-by-step guidance so parents feel confident supporting practice at home and reinforcing lesson goals throughout the week.
Explore Music Through Many Styles & Sounds
Let’s explore a wide variety of musical styles together—from nursery rhymes and classical music to jazz, contemporary pieces, and even your own improvisations! Our little pianists also enjoy creating music using a variety of instruments and everyday household items. Music is all around us, and every sound can become part of the learning and creative journey.
“Kozue has the uncanny ability to find the musician within each student—to understand what drives their interest and to turn it into their passion. ”
Step by Step, Embracing Creativity
Step by step, Kozue’s teaching approach is creative, positive, and supported by over 20 years of experience working with young learners. Her studio provides an engaging environment where technical drills and exercises become fun and motivating. Students enjoy music theory games, finger-strength activities, and pitch and rhythm games—some of the favorite activities among our young pianists!
Making Music Together: Piano Ensemble
Piano playing becomes even more exciting through four-hand and six-hand ensemble pieces with piano buddies! Our young pianists enjoy learning ensemble repertoire and love performing for family and friends throughout the year. Through ensemble playing, students develop concentration, rhythmic stability, and musical awareness while learning from and collaborating with their peers.
Celebration Recital for Young Musicians
Live piano performance opportunities create meaningful and lasting experiences for young musicians. Students build confidence by performing for others and enjoy sharing music both as soloists and in ensembles with Kozue, as well as with their parents or siblings at recitals. The excitement of the stage inspires students to grow, dream bigger, and look forward to every performance with joy.
“Both of my daughters started wth piano instruction at a very young age and they have excelled tremendously under Ms. Pepper’s experienced and gentle guidance.”
GENERAL INFO
General Studio Information
Private Piano Lessons are taught on a regular weekly basis following the studio calendar and are offered in 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions.
Group Performance & Theory Classes are offered three times during the academic year. These small, level-specific groups help make learning music theory much more fun and memorable.
PRACTICE AND PARENTAL SUPPORT
Students are expected to come to lessons with their assignments completed and questions prepared. Daily practice is highly recommended as it is much more effective than cramming all practice into a few days per week. Practicing is an essential element for improvement in music studies.
Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Parents who take an active and honest interest in their child's progress are often rewarded with more enthusiastic and productive students. Periodically attending a lesson will equip parents with knowledge to assist the child’s practice sessions.
YOUR INSTRUMENT
The student must own an acoustic or digital piano. Digital pianos or keyboards must be full size (88-keys) with weighted keys and a pedal. Practicing on an acoustic piano is strongly recommended. Pianistic skill, pedaling and touch can not be developed by practicing with an improper instrument.