McPherson Step into Piano Class

Our Step into Piano beginning piano class is designed to be a fun adventure for young learners, where they learn piano fundamentals to prepare for private lessons.. In this engaging class, students will dive into the captivating world of music theory, note reading, and rhythm skills, all while having fun with their peers. With the help of a giant floor staff, we will explore note names and rhythmic patterns in an interactive way that is more like play than practice. Each class includes keyboard time to practice using fingers, learn to play simple songs, and master keyboard orientation.

Session dates: January 12 - March 20

Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Beginning Class: (for students new to the class)

Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:00 

Wednesdays 3:00 - 3:30

Kindergarten Returning Class: (for students who are currently enrolled Fall 2025)

Tuesdays 3:00 - 3:30 - CLASS IS FULL

Wednesdays 3:30 - 4:00 

Thursdays 3:00 - 3:30

First Grade Returning Class (students who have taken at least one previous class) 

Thursdays 3:30 - 4:00 CLASS IS FULL

No classes on:

Tuesday 2/17, 3/17

Wednesday 3/18

Class Location: At McPherson School 

Tuition: $175

Final class rosters will be determined by the student's availability and will be sent out before the start of classes. 

Make-ups are not available for group classes. Students are expected to follow instructions from the teacher and be respectful at all times. Should discipline be an issue we will first reach out to parents. If a problem continues we may regretfully ask students to forfeit the remainder of the session to ensure quality of instruction for all students.

Maya Williams is a violinist, pianist, and passionate music educator. She received both a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Highest Honors and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has over 20 years of piano experience, and has performed on the violin with ensembles including the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Sweet Kay String Band.

In adding to teaching, her professional experience includes time as Chorus and Youth Ensembles Coordinator for the Naples Philharmonic in Naples, Florida. She spent a summer as the Aspen Festival Orchestra Manager in Aspen Colorado. She also participated in the International Community Education Program in Nepal to provide meaningful musical experiences to people in challenging circumstances. While in Urbana, Illinois, she planned and implemented activities geared toward social-emotional health for children in crisis with the Crisis Nursery. 

Maya teaches violin and piano to students of all ages, blending strong technical foundations with creativity and encouragement. Her background includes private teaching, preschool music instruction, and youth ensemble leadership. 

Musical Chairs Founder, Piano Lisa teaches beginning through advanced piano. She began playing the piano when she was five years old. Under the direction of Lucretia Peterson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Lisa played competitively on a state level throughout her high school years. She received numerous honors in piano performance, played publicly throughout the inter-mountain area, and also participated in the music and vocal program at Lewis and Clark College of Portland, Oregon where she received her degree in International Business.   

She founded Musical Chairs Studio in 2004 with the goal of providing a music lesson experience that created a life long love for music and served as a vehicle for self-expression and building self confidence. Under her direction, Musical Chairs has experienced consistent growth and now operates in various Chicago schools as well as offers lessons in the Lincoln Square studio. 

Additionally, Lisa established the Serenading Seniors and Play it Forward programs where students are encouraged to share their gifts with those who are less fortunate and instill the concepts of community service and philanthropy in today's youth. Lisa believes music is the single most important childhood experience that has shaped her life and feels blessed for the opportunity to pass this on to others and continues to teach piano lessons herself for children and adults.