Kathryn Winter Piano Lessons for Children

A little over a year ago I read the only review on Unilocal of this instructor. I was looking for a piano teacher close to our house for my 9-​year-​old son. I figured it would take a while to find the right teacher for him. But we were lucky. Kathryn is the real deal. She lives to teach, and she’s really good at it. She and my son seem to have a soul connection; she understands him, finding music that she knows he’ll enjoy playing. This keeps his lessons and his practice alive for him – piano is exciting and interesting. There’s love and care and time put into everything she does to prepare for lessons with my son. Kathryn has healthy, realistic expectations for him, and I appreciate this. A teacher myself, I see the wisdom in how she works with him.
Kathryn taught both piano and music theory in Cal’s Gifted Young Musicians program for 30 years – her many years of experience are a BIG asset, and she is whip-​smart and fun. I love the twinkle she has in her eye, and the special way she is able to connect with children of all ages (we have strayed a while as she teaches other children who come after us). I also love that she is slow and methodical in her thinking and speech – she works with great intention. If there were a «slow-​food» version of piano teaching, my guess is that Kathryn could really market her approach.
My son started with her without having any knowledge of musical notation or instruction; a little over a year later he is playing advanced musical pieces, and understanding complicated music theory. My son, as it turns out, has a «gifted» capacity for music. Kathryn knows how to work with all capacities and arranges the lessons so they are appropriate for each child. She doesn’t take children under 5 years old normally … she prefers to start at a more developmentally appropriate age. That said, Kathryn never turns down anyone without meeting them and the parents for a tryout lesson.
You can learn more about her on her website:
Or contact her via phone: 510.527.3839

I have watched Ms. Winter working with a very young beginner and with a more advanced teen. I was impressed with her obvious talent and teaching approach, her directness and clarity and her genuine kindness with the children. If my granddaughters lived closer to Kathryn Winter’s North Berkeley studio, I would have signed them up to study with her right then and there! If you are in search of a wonderful piano teacher for your school age children, check out the many testimonials on her website and on the Berkeley Parent’s Network.