Nikola Scepovic
About
About
I am a pianist, collaborative pianist, and music educator with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Piano Performance. Throughout my career, I have worked with students of all ages and levels—from complete beginners to advanced pianists preparing for auditions, competitions, recitals, and university-level performance.
My teaching philosophy is based on the idea that every student learns differently. I tailor each lesson to the individual, helping students build a solid technical foundation while developing musical expression, confidence, creativity, and effective practice habits. Whether your goal is to play for enjoyment, prepare for exams, improve technique, or pursue a professional music career, I create a structured and supportive learning environment that helps you reach your goals.
In addition to solo piano instruction, I have extensive experience as a collaborative pianist, working with vocalists, instrumentalists, choirs, and chamber ensembles. This broad musical background allows me to help students develop strong listening skills, stylistic awareness, musical communication, and ensemble performance.
My education combines rigorous classical piano training with experience in music technology and audio production, giving me a well-rounded perspective on music making in today's world. I encourage students to understand not only how to play the piano, but also why music works, helping them become thoughtful, independent musicians.
Lessons may include:
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Piano technique and healthy playing habits
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Classical repertoire from beginner to advanced levels
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Interpretation, phrasing, tone production, and musical expression
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Music theory, ear training, and sight-reading
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Performance preparation and stage confidence
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Audition, competition, and university audition coaching
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Collaborative piano and accompaniment coaching for singers and instrumentalists
Above all, I strive to make lessons engaging, motivating, and enjoyable while maintaining high artistic standards. My goal is to help every student develop confidence, musical curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Teaching Style
My teaching combines a structured classical foundation with an encouraging, student-centered approach. I adapt every lesson to the student's age, experience, learning style, and musical goals, whether they are learning piano for personal enjoyment or preparing for auditions, competitions, examinations, or university study.
I have taught private piano students at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, helping them develop strong technique, musical understanding, and confident performance skills. As a collaborative pianist, I have also coached vocalists and instrumentalists, preparing them for recitals, competitions, and professional performances. This experience has given me a deep understanding of musical collaboration, interpretation, communication, and stylistic flexibility.
I hold a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Piano Performance and have performed extensively as both a soloist and collaborative pianist. My background also includes recording projects, chamber music, accompanying masterclasses, and working with singers in a wide variety of repertoire. In addition, my training in audio engineering provides a broader perspective on music production and performance.
In lessons, I focus on developing healthy technique, expressive playing, efficient practice strategies, music theory, sight-reading, ear training, and artistic confidence. I believe students learn best when lessons are both challenging and enjoyable, and I strive to create a positive environment where they feel motivated to grow while achieving measurable progress.
Curriculum
My teaching method is individualized and goal-oriented. I begin by assessing each student's current level, musical interests, strengths, and areas for improvement, then develop a personalized learning plan. Lessons combine technical development, repertoire, musicianship, and practical performance skills, with an emphasis on building confidence and encouraging independent practice.
For beginners, I focus on healthy hand position, rhythm, note reading, and developing a strong musical foundation through engaging repertoire. Intermediate students expand their technique, interpretation, sight-reading, and stylistic understanding while learning music from different historical periods. Advanced students work on refining tone production, artistic interpretation, performance preparation, audition repertoire, and professional-level musicianship.
I recommend materials based on each student's age and goals. Commonly used resources include:
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Faber Piano Adventures (beginner to intermediate)
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Alfred's Basic Piano Library
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Bastien Piano Basics
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Suzuki Piano School (when appropriate)
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Hanon – The Virtuoso Pianist
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Czerny Studies
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Burgmüller – 25 Progressive Studies
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Bach's Two-Part Inventions and Well-Tempered Clavier (selected works)
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Sonatas by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven
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Works by Schumann, Chopin, Debussy, and other standard classical composers
For students interested in music theory, ear training, or college preparation, I also incorporate customized exercises and supplementary materials. I provide practice strategies and detailed feedback after lessons to help students make consistent progress between sessions.
Credentials & Affiliations
Education
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Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Piano Performance
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Master of Music (MM) in Piano Performance
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Bachelor of Music (BM) in Piano Performance
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Diploma in Audio Engineering – SAE Institute
Professional Experience
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University-level piano instructor and collaborative pianist
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Extensive experience coaching vocalists, instrumentalists, chamber ensembles, and choirs
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Solo recital, chamber music, and accompanying performance experience
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Recording artist and studio musician with experience in music production and audio engineering
Areas of Specialization
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Piano Performance
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Collaborative Piano
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Classical Piano Pedagogy
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Music Theory
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Sight-Reading
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Ear Training
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Audition and Competition Preparation
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Performance Coaching
Professional Affiliations
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Active member of the professional classical music community through performances, collaborations, and educational activities.
