Welcome
To
The
Creative
Piano
Studio
Discovering the Art of Musical Expression
About The Teacher
Mission
Vanessa Jewell is joyfully dedicated to nurturing a love for music and fostering creativity through piano education. She strives to blend technical proficiency with artistic expression, creating a solid musical understanding while empowering students to explore the limitless possibilities of musical language and storytelling through piano performance.​
Philosophy
Striving not only to teach piano with creativity, Vanessa also aims to prepare and shape individual students into successful, growing, and learning musicians, believing that music is essential for every person - that music education broadens and enriches life.
The Creative Piano Studio Story
Having grown up in a very creative home, Vanessa enjoyed expressing herself through art and music. She learned how to play the piano from her mother who encouraged a life-long love of music. She continued her music education at Black Hawk College where she received an Associates degree, studying with Dr. Ellen Bowlin. She continued on to Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois with Professor Fiona Bezaire, receiving her Bachelors in Music with a Piano Pedagogy Certificate in 2006. Having a teaching studio was Vanessa's goal, so she took on a few piano students while in college. She expanded her studio while working at Foster Family Music in Bettendorf, Iowa, then moved the studio to her home. Vanessa now resides in Bettendorf, with her husband Andrew and enjoys teaching from home.
About The Studio
Location
The Creative Piano Studio is located in Bettendorf, Iowa, just off of Tanglefoot Lane, in the lower level of Vanessa Jewell's home.
Piano Method
The Music Tree piano method is used for school-age students and the Alfred Basic Adult piano method is utilized for adult students and older teens. Other frequent supplemental materials include musical games, exercises, compositions, flash cards, and other piano methods that encourage creativity. Classical music is always included for each student, while Jazz, Pop and other forms of music are added at student's request.
Group Lessons
Occasional lessons taught in a small group format give students a chance to perform in front of their peers. Extra time to perform is something quite unusual when it comes to piano study. Although peer pressure is often looked on in the negative sense, when used in the right way, it can be very helpful. This is a key factor in helping students to better define their goals while concentrating at a higher level. During this group time, students will be able to enjoy ensemble pieces, rhythm and music reading exercises, and fun music games. Group lessons are a fun and integral part of piano study, therefore, included once every other month for all school-age students enrolled in Creative Piano Studio.​
Performances
A studio recital is held once a year in the spring for friends and family to attend. Students perform two pieces from memory and receive awards for the amount of practice aquired throughout the year.
Creative Piano Studio is also involved in a Festival held each spring by members of the FMTA (Federated Music Teachers of America). In this event, students across the Quad Cities participate in judged performances, receive ratings, and have chances to win trophies.
Creative Piano Studio Policies
Tuition
A flat fee of $90 for weekly half-hour or $180 for weekly one-hour lessons is due and payable to Vanessa Jewell at the beginning of each month.
Late fees will be assessed on late payments. No lessons will be given until payment is received.
Although due monthly, tuition is based off of a certain number of lessons within the year and not the number of lessons in a given month.
The cost of required music and group lessons is included in the tuition fee.
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Refunds
​​​​​​​​​​If a student withdraws prior to the beginning of a month for which tuition has already been paid, a full refund will be made; if a student withdraws prior to the end of the month, no refund will be made. Should unusual circumstances require that a student withdraw prior to the end of a month, the matter will be considered on an individual basis with determination of the appropriate refund being made.
Nondiscrimination
Vanessa Jewell admits students without regard to age, sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin or handicap.
Calendar
Weekly lessons will be held from the beginning of September through the end of May with a two week break for Christmas and New Year’s. If a lesson lands on a holiday, a make-up lesson will be offered. Summer lessons are also available and offered every other week from June through August.
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FMTA Festival is always the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March.
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A studio recital is held at the end of every school year, usually the last week of May or first week of June.
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Missed Lessons
Students may receive only one make-up lesson per month for excused absences (not including lessons missed due to teacher cancellation) and only if time permits.
Excused absences include: - Lessons missed due to illness, providing the teacher is notified at least four hours in advance. Lessons missed for reasons other than illness will be excused only at the discretion of the teacher (advance notice of at least 48 hours is expected).
To report an absence, please call, text, or email Vanessa: 309-716-4043,
Expectation of Practice
Students are enrolled with the understanding that practice will occur a minimum of five days a week. Suggested daily practice requirements are as follows: Students in elementary school through grade 5, at least 30 minutes a day; students in grades 6-8, 45 minutes a day; students in grades 9-12, one hour a day. Students who are unable to fulfill these practice requirements on a regular basis may be dropped from the schedule.
Group Lessons
Group lessons will be held once every other month for all school-age students enrolled in Creative Piano Studio. When it is group week, students will not arrive during their regularly scheduled lessons, but will meet with other students on a certain day and time. Group lessons consist of 3 to 7 students and will last for one hour.
Student Stories
Vanessa was my piano teacher for two years. She was a music student at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. I highly recommend her services as a piano teacher for any age group. She taught my son age 9, as well as myself, age 41. At first, I was nervous since I had not played piano since I was a child. Vanessa made me feel at ease right away and never was discouraging. She was also very responsible, mature, and friendly.
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- Lilly Mercado, River Forest Illinois.
Vanessa was my piano teacher for six years, and each year was filled with fun in learning music. I was always excited to go to my lessons, where I would play songs that I enjoyed. I was able to learn songs that I had always wanted to learn - pieces by famous composers such as Beethoven and Debussy. Learning how to play the piano was a magical experience. I didn't just learn how to play, but I learned how to make music come to life. With Vanessa's teaching, I was able to master songs that I once thought were impossible for me to play. She has helped me grow immensely as a musician, and I can't thank her enough for teaching me how to play the piano, and how to have fun doing it.
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- Rachel Eriksen, Junior at North Scott Highschool
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"I would highly recommend Vanessa to any family looking for a piano teacher - whether it is for a neuro-typical elementary schooler, or a young adult with special needs - she has been exceptional with both of my children. Vanessa combines her technical expertise with warmth, flexibility and patience and has built great relationships with my kids while challenging them to grow in their musical capabilities. Vanessa adapts her teaching style to the student and makes it fun, while also setting expectations for regular practice to see growth. She is truly one of the best, and our kids love going to see her for their lessons."
- Kim Smith, Bettendorf Iowa
Connect
Feel free to reach out for more information. Creative Piano Studio is here to support your musical journey.
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Call or Text: 309-716-4043
Email: vanessa233@gmail.com
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