Frequently Asked Questions

Children can begin from around five years old . At this age, lessons build the foundations of rhythm, listening, hand coordination and note reading through a structured yet engaging approach.

Every child develops differently, so the trial lesson is the best way to assess readiness. If we feel it would be better to wait a few months, we will tell you honestly.

Yes — adult students are a core part of our studio. We work with:

• Complete beginners who have always wanted to play.
• Returning pianists resuming lessons after a break.
• Advanced adults refining technique and repertoire.
• Adults taking international exams with ABRSM, Trinity or MTB.

Each programme is tailored to your goals, schedule and preferred pace.

We offer two formats:

• Studio lessons in professional piano rooms across convenient locations in Dubai, on acoustic pianos in a focused learning environment.
• Home lessons by arrangement. We currently teach in DAMAC Hills 2, Mirdif, The Villa, JLT, The Hills, Park Heights, Arabian Ranches and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Home lessons are subject to availability, so please contact us before booking. If your community isn’t listed, just ask — we are happy to check whether we can include it.

The trial lesson is a personal introduction and a professional assessment. Diana gets to know the student, explores their sense of rhythm, listening, coordination and any previous experience, and gives a short first lesson.

Afterwards, you will receive a clear recommendation on the lesson format, frequency and programme best suited to the student’s age and goals. Parents are welcome to stay and observe.

We recommend holding the trial in our studio: beginning in a professional environment on an acoustic piano gives the most accurate impression of the student’s abilities and of the lessons themselves.

The right piano depends on the student’s age and goals, your space and your budget. Whatever you choose, a few qualities matter most for healthy technical development:

• 88 full-size keys — the complete range of a real piano.
• Weighted, hammer-action keys that respond to touch like an acoustic instrument.
• A proper sustain pedal — ideally a fixed three-pedal unit rather than a loose footswitch.
• A stable stand and an adjustable bench , so the student can sit at the correct height.

We recommend avoiding portable keyboards with light, unweighted keys. They may seem a convenient start, but they don’t develop finger strength or control, and students often need to relearn their touch later.

Our students are welcome to ask for guidance before purchasing — we are happy to advise on what suits your child or your own goals.

An acoustic piano produces sound through real hammers striking strings. It offers the richest tone and the most nuanced response, and remains the ideal instrument for serious long-term study.

A digital piano reproduces sound electronically. Good models now offer a convincing touch and tone, with practical advantages for many Dubai homes.

In short: an acoustic piano is the long-term ideal; a quality digital piano is an excellent, practical choice for most students, especially in the early years.

Yes. A good digital piano with 88 weighted keys and a sustain pedal is entirely suitable for beginners and for the early and intermediate grades.

As a student progresses to the more advanced grades, the finer control of tone, dynamics and pedalling becomes increasingly important. At that stage, many families choose to upgrade to an acoustic piano or a high-end digital model. We will let you know when we feel that moment has come.

Of course. Many families begin with a trial lesson before committing to an instrument.

• In the studio: lessons take place on our acoustic pianos, so no instrument is needed. This is the setting we recommend for beginning.
• At home: a keyboard can be arranged for the trial lesson. For young musicians, we can bring an instrument so they can try first.

Once regular lessons begin, we recommend having your own instrument within the first few weeks. Progress is built through consistent practice between lessons, and that requires a piano at home.

Our standard recommendation is two lessons a week . It is the commitment that brings the most consistent progress, and it prepares students naturally for concerts and international exams.

• Young children: two lessons a week. Frequent contact helps them build strong habits and retain what they learn.
• Busy teenagers and adults: one lesson a week also gives a strong start and solid results, especially with regular practice at home.

After the trial lesson, we will recommend the format best suited to each student.

With two lessons a week and home practice between lessons — at the very least, revising the material covered — students are usually ready for their first exam at their level within five to six months .

Progress then continues grade by grade. The pace depends on the student’s age, lesson frequency and, above all, consistent practice.

We prepare students for ABRSM, Trinity College London and MTB , and recommend the board that best suits each student’s profile and goals. A student is entered only when they are genuinely ready — our aim is a confident, musical performance and a result they can be proud of.

Yes. Music theory is always part of our lessons — understanding how music works makes students better readers, more confident performers and more independent musicians.

We also prepare students for theory exams . This matters especially for ABRSM, where a Grade 5 theory qualification is required before taking practical Grades 6–8. During theory exam preparation, we recommend one additional lesson per week dedicated to theory.

Lessons are arranged in packages paid in advance . This reserves the student’s regular time slot and allows us to plan their programme with care.

• Lesson times are agreed at the start of each package and may be adjusted before the next one begins, subject to availability.
• Each package includes a limited number of reschedules, provided we receive at least 24 hours’ notice .
• Lessons cancelled with shorter notice are counted as taken, as the time has been reserved for the student.

Full terms are confirmed in writing when you enrol, so everything is clear from the start.