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Please visit www.carlinsclavierstudio.com for more information and to schedule an interview.
With over 34 years of private teaching experience, Amy Jo brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her students.
Her formal music training includes studies at Faith Baptist Bible College and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and extensive continuing education through Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) and the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA). She has specialized in Music for Little Mozarts and developed original curricula for group lessons and piano camps.
Amy Jo’s musical journey began early—she became a full-time church pianist at 13. For over forty years, she has served as a pianist, praise and worship keyboardist, vocalist, children’s worship leader, and contributor to numerous community events and programs.
A dedicated member of the music education community, Amy Jo has been actively involved for 25 years with local chapters of the Northeast Area Music Teachers Association, the Des Moines Music Teachers Association, and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She has authored numerous articles for the Iowa Music Teachers Magazine (2018–2023) and presented continuing education classes for fellow music educators. Most recently, Amy Jo became a member of the Tucson Music Teachers Association, a division of the ASMTA and MTNA.
Her commitment to excellence was recognized with the Steinway Teacher of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023. She has also served as an accompanist for middle and high school choirs across Iowa and is currently active as her church choir pianist and a member of the Arizona Women’s Choir in Tucson.
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Nayeli Jimenez is a student at the University of Arizona obtaining a degree in Piano Performance and holds a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Spanish. She studied with Dr. Daniel Linder for 2 years and has studied under Dr. Rie Tanaka since 2024. She is currently conducting research in Colombia with the Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas where she is analyzing the pedagogical approach to teaching “late beginners” at the university level. Her musical background is diverse, as in addition to piano she was active as a violinist in various chamber orchestras and mariachis for over a decade. She has previously worked with living composer Jorge Pinzón on his Toccata para Piano, and studied under Peter Takács and Dr. Daniel Shapiro at the Montecito International Music Festival. She is also the founder of “MTNA Jr. at Pueblo High School”, a program that seeks to bridge the gap between public group lessons and private one-on-one lessons in southern Tucson by bringing collegiate pianists to Pueblo to supplement their group piano program.
Nayeli’s teaching philosophy centers the student as a complete person and not just as a pianist. She aims to help build well-rounded individuals, taking a holistic approach to teaching. Her curriculum includes extensive music theory, as Nayeli has taken up to graduate level theory, and cultivates a comfortable learning environment that allows for students to leave their comfort zones in ways they will encounter beyond the classroom. Whether the student is seriously dedicated to their piano studies or simply wants a hobby to take up some free time, Nayeli will work with the student towards their goals, ultimately making piano a fun and positive experience.
Pianist Chuan Choy, who is celebrated for his stage presence and expressive performances, is a doctoral fellow at the University of Arizona. He is the first prize winner of the Fifth Annual Lois Trester Piano Competition. Chuan hopes to incorporate community outreach into his music performances. He has performed to a full-house audience at the Goethe-Institut Mexiko, Mexico City, with a cross-cultural themed recital. His recitals at community colleges have inspired music students and received heartfelt reviews. He has also been performing at various retirement communities in the Southern Oregon region to extend his musical outreach. His upcoming performances including recitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Curitiba, Brazil.
Chuan was inspired to pursue his music studies when he was an audience member in a piano competition in which he later became a prize winner. He earned his Master of Music degree at the Southern Oregon University and his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Arizona. His teachers include Drs. Fanya Lin, Alexander Tutunov, John Milbauer, and Ian Houghton. His performances have also earned him numerous fine arts awards. He has participated in masterclasses by Jon Nakamatsu, Anthony de Mare, and Michael Stephen Brown. His upcoming performances including recitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Curitiba, Brazil.
As a pedagogue, Chuan believes that music influences other aspects of one’s life. His role as a piano pedagogue is to cultivate a curious mind and expand their music horizon. Through acute observation on student’s performance, Chuan could provide solutions and troubleshoot problematic areas on their piano playing. He believes in working together with students, helping them to set and achieve their goals in music learning, facilitating students’ need in their repertoire of choice. Prior to his return to Tucson, Chuan taught group piano class to music majors and non-major students at the Southern Oregon University, giving detailed and effective instructions to students, empowering them to be well-rounded musicians.
Reach me at : 520-2450944
chuanvchoy@gmail.com
chuanchoy.com
STUDIO POLICY 2026
Welcome to my piano studio! I am looking forward to working with you and/or your child to discover the joy of music making on the piano. This studio policy sets forth the standards and expectations that I have for each student that I instruct. To help my students learn in a professional setting and in an organized manner, I need the students and parents to review this Studio Policy so that everyone is on the same page with what is expected. While I can make exceptions for the unexpected event that arises, this Studio Policy will be our guide for my students. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Material
I am open for suggestions to work with you on your preferred music genre and your needs to become a better musician. I generally divide lesson time into repertoire, technique, theory/music history/rhythm categories. I use different method books depending on student’s learning style, they are the Bastien, Faber Piano Adventures, or Pathway to Artistry.
Duration
Lesson time depends on the age and level of students– 30mins for younger beginner, 45mins for intermediate, 1 hour for early advance onwards. These are general guidelines as everyone is different in their learning preference. Adult beginners are encouraged to start with 45mins lesson, as the ability to focus are generally longer than younger learners.
Make-up lessons and refunds
I understand that students will miss lessons due to illness, inclement weather, family emergencies, or other issues that may arise. If you know you are going to miss a lesson, at least 24hours notice is required to provide make-up lessons, though I cannot guarantee that each missed lesson will be made up. Each student is allowed 3 missed lessons per semester.
Teacher’s absence:
Illness or other emergencies may arise which prevent me from offering a lesson at a schedules time. If I am unable to provide a scheduled lesson due to illness or other reasons, make-up lessons will be schedules at a time when I and the student are available. Any lesson that the teacher cancelled will be made up. Make-up lessons will be held in-person or online.
Summer
I take-off during summer break most of the time, thus, I couldn’t provide in-person lessons. Lessons can be provided via Zoom or Forte.
Payment
My lesson rates are:
75 mins–$100
60 mins–$80
45 mins–$60
30 mins–$40
A travel fee will be charged for location that are more than 15 minutes’ drive away from my studio.
I will give one month’s notice should there be any rate adjustments.
Tuition is paid monthly and is due on the first lesson of the month. I accept cash, cheque, Venmo and Zelle.
Practice expectation
Students should aim for at least 6 days of practice per week. Duration depends on the level for each student, it could range anytime from 15mins to 2 hours per day. Parents should help their child to include piano practice in their daily routine, as each lesson contains different practice method. A general guide would be:
Beginner: 20-30 mins/day
Intermediate: 45mins- 1 hour/day.
Advanced: Approximately 30mins–1 hour per piece.
Students can divide the total practice time into multiple session as part of an interleave practice. A practice logbook is recommended to keep track of practice objective.
Termination
If a student and/or parents decided to discontinue taking lessons from my studio, I request at least one-weeks’ notice. Depending upon the reason for the termination, the studio may refund pre-paid lessons in its discretion.
Teacher Termination
I reserve the right to terminate the contract with the student/parent if the student has excessive absences or if I determined that the student is not cooperating or progressing in their music studies. Prior to any decision to terminate, I will meet with the student or the parents to discuss the situation. Refunds for prepaid lessons will be provided at the discretion of the studio.
Katy’s musical journey began at ten years old, when she started piano lessons. As her love for music grew, she began her teaching career at twelve by giving lessons to two friends. She soon after began composing, and during high school joined a youth composition program called Young Composers Project, which is offered by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Upon graduating high school, she pursued a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with Dr. Fanya Lin at the University of Arizona, graduating with honors in 2023. She is also set to graduate with her Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2025. As a pianist, Katy has performed in numerous events and competitions. For three consecutive years, she was named alternate in the Fred Fox School of Music Presidents Concert Concerto Competition. In 2021 and 2023 she won second and first place, respectively, in the school’s Michael Moore Memorial Piano Competition. She also placed third and won the audience prize in the Trester Piano Competition in 2023. Since the beginning of Katy’s teaching career at twelve, she has developed a passion for teaching students of all ages how to make and love music at the piano. It continually excites her to see her students grasp concepts and techniques and become better musicians. During college, her teaching experience expanded as she took first a tutoring position and then a graduate teaching assistantship in undergraduate music theory. It is always her goal to make music understandable and achievable for her students with individualized instruction and a positive learning environment. Composition also remains one of Katy’s greatest musical interests. Since graduating from the Young Composers Project, her main focus has been releasing albums of original instrumental music. Her goal is to create emotionally compelling and uplifting music that tells stories and takes the listeners on an inspiring journey. She also hopes to explore film scoring in the future. When she is not working on music, Katy enjoys reading books, watching movies, and spending time with family, friends, and her husband Stephen.
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