Diane Engle

Hi, I’m Diane and I’m so happy that you’re here. I’m here to teach you about teaching piano in small groups. I’ve operated a private piano studio for over 12 years, teaching in small group piano classes. My schedule is Tuesday-Thursday, 4:00-7:00 p.m.

That’s right, teaching a total of only 9 hours per week! Classes are 45 minutes, so that means I get in 4 classes per day.

How did I get started this way? I had taught elementary music in public schools in Texas and Louisiana for 31 years. Yep―31 years of fun! I also earned my Master of Music Education as well as my Kodály Certification. The Kodály methodology teaches music literacy through folk songs and game songs. It’s a wonderful child developmental approach to teaching.

When I retired from school teaching and wanted to open a piano studio, I knew that I wanted to include the proven and successful Kodály method. Teaching piano in small group classes made that possible. I opened a studio in my small hometown of around 3500 people. I consistently had 25 to 30 students each year.

From the beginning, I used game songs and folk songs from my Kodály collection in my beginner piano classes. In 2018 I wrote PLAY AND PLAY, PIANO BOOK FOR BEGINNERS. This book exclusively uses game songs and folk songs. I wrote a Revised Edition in 2023, along with the Revised Teacher Edition.

I also teach Kodály music education in university summer courses to music teachers. I teach Pedagogy―how to teach― as well as folk song research and analysis.

Now, I want to teach YOU how to teach piano in small group classes incorporating game songs. I’ve been consistently able to operate a profitable studio teaching only 9 hours per week. I want to teach you how to do that, too!