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The Maryville College Preparatory Piano Program will be moving into the new Clayton Center for the Arts in January 2010. With more studio space, plans are underway to expand the current piano program and, possibly, include instruction on other instruments in the future.

New students are being accepted now for the spring and fall 2010 semesters.

The prep program is designed for students ages 3 through high school. The goals are to instill in pupils a love of music through piano playing and help them to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become independent pianists and musicians.

MC Preparatory Piano instructors hold master's degrees in piano performance and pedagogy, music theory and Suzuki piano pedagogy. Current teachers are members of the Knoxville Music Teachers Association, Blount County Keyboard Teachers Association and National Guild of Piano Teachers.

The school year is divided into 19-week fall and spring semesters and a short summer session. Spring and fall semesters include 16 private lessons and three one-hour group classes. The summer session consists of private lessons only. Students may register for half-hour, 45-minute or one-hour private lessons.

Private instruction includes technical development, introduction of new pieces, review of familiar pieces, music theory and music history. Group lessons include student performances and a combination of theory games, music history, ear training and Dalcroze Eurhythmics.

Students will have opportunities to perform at Maryville College and throughout the community. During the spring semester, students are encouraged to participate in local auditions in which they perform repertoire for an adjudicator.

For more information, please contact Krystyna Koneczny, MC preparatory piano program coordinator, at 984-6760, preppiano@maryvillecollege.edu or krystyna.koneczny@maryvillecollege.edu.