Why Choose The Modern Piano Room?
I offer beginner piano lessons that are rooted in evidence-based teaching and a deep understanding of how children learn. My lessons are designed to help students build strong foundational skills, explore their creativity, and grow in confidence week by week.
Personalized & Proven Teaching
I offer beginner piano lessons rooted in evidence-based methods and a deep understanding of how children learn. Each lesson is tailored to your child’s pace and learning style, helping them build a strong musical foundation with clarity and confidence.
Supportive Family Partnership
Learning an instrument is a team effort. I keep parents in the loop with weekly lesson notes, progress updates, and tips for practice at home. You’ll always feel involved and informed, creating a positive, stress-free support system for your young musician.
Creative & Fun Learning
Music should be joyful! Alongside classical fundamentals, lessons include games, improvisation, and even composing tunes. This balanced approach keeps kids engaged and excited for each lesson, nurturing their creativity as well as their skills.
Programs for Every Child’s Needs
One size doesn’t fit all in music education. I offer four distinct lesson tracks to match different interests and goals. Whether your child thrives on structure, loves to explore creatively, or is just starting out, there’s a program that fits them perfectly.
Studio Programs
The RCM Program follows the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum in a one-on-one setting. Students build solid technique, learn to read music fluently, and polish classical pieces. This traditional pathway is perfect for kids who may want to earn RCM certificates and enjoy the satisfaction of progressing through graded levels and even formal exams in a positive, encouraging environment.
For kids who learn best through creative exploration, the Creative Track offers a fun small-group experience (with one-on-one attention as needed). Instead of focusing on exams, students are encouraged to improvise, compose their own little songs, and try a variety of musical styles from day one. They’ll still learn core skills like reading notes and rhythm, but in an imaginative way that ignites a lifelong love of music. This track is great for children who might shy away from rigid practice and shine when they can be creative at the keys.
The Hybrid Track combines the best of both worlds. Your child receives the rigour of private classical lessons plus the camaraderie of group sessions that spark creativity. This well-rounded track keeps learning exciting and prevents burnout by mixing serious skill-building with lighthearted exploration. It’s ideal for students who want a comprehensive experience that develops strong technique and theory while also having fun and expressing themselves.
In-School Programs
Piano Explorers is a gentle introduction to piano for young beginners, offered as a short and sweet 10-week program. Classes meet in a small group at your child’s school (before or after school hours), making it super convenient for families. In this track, kids in Grades 1–6 learn the basics like finding their way around the keyboard, simple melodies, and fundamental rhythms through games and group activities. They even get to compose a mini song of their own to share at the end! It’s a wonderful option if you’d like to let your child try piano without a long-term commitment. By the end of the session, each child will have learned a few songs, gained confidence, and discovered that music is a blast – many “graduates” are excited to continue into one of the longer tracks afterward.
Studio Director & Founder
Meet Emma Morales
Hello! I’m Emma Morales. I’m passionate about helping children discover the joy of music and grow as well-rounded individuals. As a trained educator and pianist, I believe piano lessons are an opportunity for your child to build focus, confidence, resilience, and creative thinking. When students feel safe, supported, and motivated, they thrive not only in music but in school and life. My mission is to nurture that growth through joyful, student-centered teaching that inspires a genuine love for music.
Qualifications You Can Trust
I hold advanced credentials in piano. I completed the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Elementary Piano Teacher specialization with honours and distinction, and I’m currently working toward the ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory) in both Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy – the highest level of certification for RCM educators. This ongoing training means I bring both strong technical expertise and the latest teaching strategies into each lesson. I hold myself to high standards of pedagogy and professionalism, so your child receives instruction that is up-to-date, effective, and tailored to their needs.
A Caring, Community-Oriented Approach
I take the responsibility of being your child’s piano teacher seriously. Safety and kindness are at the heart of my studio. Lessons take place in a bright, family-friendly studio space in Applewood, equipped with visual aids, acoustic panels, and digital tools to enhance learning. Parents are always welcome to sit in and observe as I value transparency and want you to feel at home here, too. In addition to teaching in my home studio, I also partner with local schools to run the Piano Explorers in-school program, making quality piano instruction accessible to more kids in our community.
The Benefits of Piano Lessons
1. Music lessons make your child smarter.
Research shows that learning an instrument can significantly boost brain development in young children. The Royal Conservatory of Music finds that musical training improves memory, attention span, and overall executive function; all of which are skills that directly support school performance.¹ Piano is especially effective because it engages both sides of the brain through reading, listening, and physical coordination.
Source: Royal Conservatory of Music – “Benefits of Music Education” - https://rcmusic-kentico-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/rcm/media/main/documents/learning/rcm-music-and-cognitive-benefits_web.pdf
2. Piano students develop self-efficacy.
Few things compare to the confidence a child feels after learning to play a piece they once thought was “too hard.” In piano, children set goals, work through challenges, and see tangible progress week after week. This builds self-efficacy, which is the belief that they can do hard things. This belief is often seen as a predictor of long-term success.²
Source: Psychology Today – “Self-Efficacy and Success: Is There Any Relationship?” (2014) - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-procrastination-equation/201411/self-efficacy-and-success-is-there-any-relationship
3. Music helps children process emotions and regulate stress.
Piano lessons offer a structured way for kids to explore emotions and regulate stress without needing to talk. According to a study in Psychology of Music, music training helps children develop stronger emotional recognition, empathy, and regulation.³ For sensitive or introverted children, piano becomes a safe space for expression and growth.
Source: Saarikallio, S., & Erkkilä, J. (2007). Psychology of Music – https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735607068889
4. Regular lessons and practice build habits that translate into life skills.
Piano teaches children to focus, follow multi-step instructions, and develop internal discipline in a joyful, supportive environment. Researchers from the University of Vermont found that music lessons help reduce behavioural problems while increasing focus.⁴ With the right teacher and method, students stay motivated without feeling pushed too hard.
Source: University of Vermont – “Could playing Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' and other music improve kids' brains?” (2014) - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141223132546.htm
1. Music lessons make your child smarter.
Research shows that learning an instrument can significantly boost brain development in young children. The Royal Conservatory of Music finds that musical training improves memory, attention span, and overall executive function; all of which are skills that directly support school performance.¹ Piano is especially effective because it engages both sides of the brain through reading, listening, and physical coordination.
Source: Royal Conservatory of Music – “Benefits of Music Education” - https://rcmusic-kentico-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/rcm/media/main/documents/learning/rcm-music-and-cognitive-benefits_web.pdf
2. Piano students develop self-efficacy.
Few things compare to the confidence a child feels after learning to play a piece they once thought was “too hard.” In piano, children set goals, work through challenges, and see tangible progress week after week. This builds self-efficacy, which is the belief that they can do hard things. This belief is often seen as a predictor of long-term success.²
Source: Psychology Today – “Self-Efficacy and Success: Is There Any Relationship?” (2014) - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-procrastination-equation/201411/self-efficacy-and-success-is-there-any-relationship
3. Music helps children process emotions and regulate stress.
Piano lessons offer a structured way for kids to explore emotions and regulate stress without needing to talk. According to a study in Psychology of Music, music training helps children develop stronger emotional recognition, empathy, and regulation.³ For sensitive or introverted children, piano becomes a safe space for expression and growth.
Source: Saarikallio, S., & Erkkilä, J. (2007). Psychology of Music – https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735607068889
4. Regular lessons and practice build habits that translate into life skills.
Piano teaches children to focus, follow multi-step instructions, and develop internal discipline in a joyful, supportive environment. Researchers from the University of Vermont found that music lessons help reduce behavioural problems while increasing focus.⁴ With the right teacher and method, students stay motivated without feeling pushed too hard.
Source: University of Vermont – “Could playing Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' and other music improve kids' brains?” (2014) - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141223132546.htm
Ready to Get Started?
The best way to experience The Modern Piano Room is to book a free Discovery Lesson. This no-pressure introductory session gives your child a chance to meet me, explore the piano, and see what learning here is like – before you commit to ongoing lessons. I’ll answer your questions, evaluate your child’s interests and comfort level, and recommend a path forward that fits your family.
Getting Started in Piano
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