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Online Piano Lessons – Dr. McKay Piano Studio
offered virtually
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My name is Dr. Tristan McKay, and I run a thriving online piano studio for students of all ages and experience levels. Please reach out to schedule your free consultation today!
My qualifications include:
• 20+ years teaching experience
• PhD, MM, BM in Music
• Faculty member at a major university
• Performance experience across the US and internationally
• Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher
My students are:
• Adults, teens, and kids of all experience levels
• Located across the United States and abroad
• Serious about making weekly progress
• Interested in studying classical/pop/contemporary music
• Passionate, curious, and creative!
My lessons are:
• Structured and comprehensive
• Friendly, affirming, and welcoming
• Centered on technique and artistry, music theory, and music literacy
• Grounded in practice strategies that amplify progress
About Me
When I had my first piano lesson at 5 years old, I never could have imagined all the places music would take me. A few decades later, I can now say I’ve performed at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, shared music with audiences on 3 continents, completed a PhD in Piano Performance from New York University, and worked with students at some of the most prestigious conservatories and universities in the world. Today, I continue to share my passion for music through my private studio, where I help dedicated students of all ages and experience levels to master the piano while tackling their own unique goals.
My Methods
My work with every student begins with a conversation about goals, needs, challenges, and learning styles. Upon joining my studio, we will develop a personalized curriculum that charts the most direct course from where you are today to where you want to be. And the best part is, that curriculum will adapt and change as you gain experience and reach new levels!
Mastering the piano is a lifelong endeavor, which is why I take pride in teaching dedicated students of all ages. My studio includes kids, teens, college students, adults with work-from-home careers, stay-at-home parents, retired folks, and more. I also enjoy working with students of all experience levels, from the total beginner on up to professional pianists and music educators who are looking to expand and refine their skillsets.
Studio Community
My students are driven, curious, creative, and passionate about music. Alongside learning classical repertoire, I encourage students to explore their personal interests in composition, theory and analysis, and more through independent projects.
Students are invited to perform in a number of online recitals throughout the year, as well as at our annual Studio Showcase Recital at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City. These events are wonderful opportunities to showcase your hard work and growth with the instrument to family and friends around the country and beyond.
The Royal Conservatory of Music
I am a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), which represents the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and more. My students consistently score top marks on exams, and have been honored with State Awards and Regional Gold Medals for their achievements.
The RCM curriculum is an excellent choice for students who want a structured and comprehensive music education that includes technique, music theory, ear training, and of course top training in virtuosic and musical performance.
Students Say…
“I would highly suggest Tristan, especially as an adult beginner looking for no-judgment lessons.” – William E.
“Tristan is a true professional who cares about your child’s development and progress. He has really connected with my children and approaches their different learning styles with ease.” – Nicole L.
“Taking lessons with Tristan over the past year has been one of the most rewarding hobbies I’ve revisited as an adult. He’s coached me on techniques of play – ways to work out fingerings, chunking the minutes I practice to focus on a few measures at a time, studying a piece to bring out its musicality – that have brought me to new levels of skill & maturity with the instrument.” – Laura B.
“Tristan’s command of music theory coupled with his academic background has been instrumental to our children’s music education. His instruction is adaptive and yet still structured and thorough. The focus and discipline that they have developed over the years playing the piano have clearly helped them in other subjects and they have all academically thrived throughout elementary, middle, and high school.” – Farid M.
“My daughter has been studying with Tristan for over a year and has found a new level of excitement and commitment under his tutelage. He organizes wonderful recitals with all of his students and is easy to communicate with. He is also an overall trustworthy and kind person, someone I am happy to have in my daughter’s life, and in mine as well. Really, I couldn’t be happier. – Karen W.
“I’m an adult piano student and composer, working on my own project but also learning medium-to-advanced 20th-century repertoire including Prokofiev, Poulenc, and Shostakovich. Tristan’s approach to the piano is based on identifying and working through challenges, both technical and expressive: how to play a passage to bring out the musical intent I wanted. I count myself extremely lucky to have worked with him, and I’m an unambigiously better pianist for it.” – Marlon F.