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An Integrated Way To Experience Music-Making
Get connected and creative – at the piano and with innovative playshops. Develop solid playing skills in a joyful & supportive atmosphere.
What We Do
For more than 30 years, it has been my joy and privilege to connect students age 7 to adult to their own musical passion and to the world around them. My goal is to guide you through a rich learning experience based on your learning style and needs. I incorporate multi-sensory resources, such as hand percussion instruments and music theory and listening activities as you develop solid playing skills in a positive and supportive atmosphere.
In addition to lessons, I hold playshops that introduce adults to a new way of group music making. Using easy to play instruments, we gently explore musical self-expression, while reducing stress and increasing our sense of well-being.
To find out how to get your own music connection started, or to arrange a playshop, I invite you to Contact me for more information. Spaces are limited.
Integrating Creativity & Craft
For Over 36 Years
About Julie
My piano studies began at the age of five with Nancy Olson of New Britain; I continued studying technique and piano literature under Merrill Doucette at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford as well as with other distinguished private teachers, including composition instruction with Lauren Keiser.
In 1983 I established Julie’s Piano Workshop, which has opened the world of self-expression through piano playing to many hundreds of students. In 2009 I became a certified facilitator of improvisation through Music for People, an organization dedicated to aiding anyone to easily and joyfully make music. I encourage my students to express their unique creativity through simple improvisation techniques and I support students who develop an interest in musical composition.
Since 2008, I’ve been leading group music-making workshops for adults, making music accessible through easy-to-play instruments, songs, and group participation. Some workshops I’ve given at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Waterbury UConn campus include: Music for Health and Well-Being; The Music – Poetry Connection; and Good Vibrations for Health and Happiness (focusing on toning and chanting for stress relief).
I have also composed pieces for piano, flute, voice, and several pieces for the Woodbury-based women’s a cappella chorus Femina Melodia.
Lesson Location: Woodbury, CT.
Contact: juliecook50@outlook.com or (203) 266-4134
What People Are Saying
“Energizing Lessons”
I highly recommend Julie’s Piano Workshop! My daughters both started lessons with Julie Cook when they were in 2nd grade. My oldest took lessons for 11 years until she graduated from high school and my youngest is now in ninth grade. There was never a Monday that my girls were not excited to go to lessons and they always came out energized. Julie is a nurturing, patient teacher who customizes lessons for each student. My oldest enjoyed playing popular music and learning chords so that she could play and sing her favorite songs. My youngest enjoys classical music and Julie is teaching her the techniques she needs to be proficient. The girls perform in recitals every year and I am always impressed with the skills of the students who take lesson from the other teachers in the Workshop. Several of my friends’ children of varying ages also take lessons there and everyone loves it. Five stars!!
Martha
“Relaxed, Gentle Approach”
Julie has a relaxed and gentle approach to teaching piano, perfect for young students and beginners of all ages. She offers opportunities to perform publicly at area rest homes twice a year, and in an annual recital for all students at year’s end in June. Students are permitted to learn at their own pace without pressure, and improvisational exploration is encouraged, enhancing their creativity. Her goal is for students to find joy in music making!
Bonnie
“Fantastic quality”
Julie’s method of teaching is very personalized. I went to her with very specific goals of what I wanted to learn, such as learning how to play piano while singing, and how to use the piano to write songs. She helped me to achieve my goals almost instantly, and I am now extremely comfortable in my ability to play, sing, and write due to her expertise and mentorship.
Jade
Julie’s Thoughts
- Online Piano Lessons—Grateful ConnectionsWhen the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, I, along with my teaching staff, began teaching our piano students online. By the end of June, my students had four months of online piano lessons under their belts. I knew itContinue reading “Online Piano Lessons—Grateful Connections”
- Benefits of Piano Lessons, and Unexpected PlusesMuch has been written about recent research on the beneficial effects of piano lessons and other types of music lessons. The top benefits include: Improved abilities in math, reading comprehension, and puzzle solving; sharpened concentration and attention span. Neural connectionsContinue reading “Benefits of Piano Lessons, and Unexpected Pluses”
- The Poetry of MusicWords are all around us. We speak them, we read them, we write them. Sometimes it seems there are too many words in our lives. Words can flow or be stopped up. They can heal or they can devastate. AContinue reading “The Poetry of Music”
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