Heather Hamilton
About
Rediscover the piano—or discover how far your playing can go.
I am Dr. Heather A. Hamilton, a pianist and educator with two master's degrees in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music and a doctorate in educational leadership.
I particularly enjoy teaching beginners and adult and returning pianists: people who may have studied years ago and would love to play again, as well as adults who have always wanted to learn. I also work with motivated intermediate and advanced students seeking to strengthen technique, musicianship, interpretation and performance.
My approach is highly individualized. We begin with your goals, your musical background and the repertoire you would love to play. Lessons combine sound technical development with musicianship, interpretation, theory and—most importantly—the enjoyment of making music.
Areas of study include classical piano, technique and musicianship, repertoire development, performance and audition preparation, college auditions, and coaching for church pianists.
I am currently accepting a limited number of new online students.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is warm, encouraging, individualized, and grounded in strong musicianship. I believe every student comes to the piano with different experiences, goals, and ways of learning, so I don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach.
I combine solid technique, music reading, theory, interpretation, and musical expression with repertoire that is meaningful to each student. I want my students to understand why something works musically—not simply be told which notes to play.
As an educator as well as a professional musician, I’m especially interested in how each person learns. I challenge my students while creating an environment where it is comfortable to ask questions, experiment, make mistakes, and grow.
For adult and returning pianists, I understand that lessons need to fit into real life. We set realistic goals and make progress without taking the joy out of playing.
Above all, I want my students to leave each lesson feeling successful, inspired, and excited to sit down at the piano again.
Curriculum
My teaching method is individualized to each student’s experience, goals, and learning style. Rather than following one prescribed method for everyone, I select repertoire and materials that best support each student’s musical and technical development.
Lessons may include technique, sight-reading, music theory, ear training, interpretation, and repertoire study. For beginning and returning pianists, I may recommend an appropriate adult method or supplemental materials after assessing the student’s current level. Intermediate and advanced students generally work from standard piano repertoire, technical studies, and music selected according to their individual goals.
I am comfortable working with established piano methods and traditional classical literature, but I also welcome music that students bring to lessons and genuinely want to learn.
Students do not need to purchase materials before their first lesson. We will discuss appropriate music and texts together once I have had an opportunity to hear you play and learn more about your goals.
Credentials & Affiliations
Education & Professional Credentials
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership — University of Bridgeport
• Master of Music, Solo Piano Performance — Manhattan School of Music
• Master of Music, Orchestral Piano Performance — Manhattan School of Music
• Bachelor of Music, Solo Piano — University of Bridgeport
• Additional studies in conducting and organ — Mannes College of Music
Professional Experience & Affiliations
• Professional pianist, organist, conductor, and music educator
• Decades of experience teaching piano students of varying ages and levels
• Former Music Director, First Church Congregational, Fairfield, Connecticut
• Former member, Manhattan School of Music Alumni Council
• Manhattan School of Music Galaxy Society
• Experienced educator and educational leader in school, university, congregational, and community settings
