TEACHER
If she weren’t teaching piano, Janna Williamson would be teaching something to someone. Nothing brings her greater joy than finding just the perfect way to help a student learn a concept or master a skill. Janna finds that a whole musicianship approach is best for fostering a love of music and growing students who go on to enjoy a life of music making, either in a formal or casual context.
High retention in her studio means Janna has had the pleasure of working with many students from a very young age until they graduate high school. Janna currently runs her studio out of her home in West Chicago, IL. Students at all levels take lessons on a professional instrument and use the highest quality materials.
A faculty member at the Wheaton Yamaha Music School from 2001-2020, Janna taught the Yamaha early childhood group method for 15 years. This gave her a unique perspective on the development of the musical ear, as well as the importance of creativity in piano lessons. Janna has spent significant time evaluating and testing many of the methods available for early piano study with a critical eye for what is effective and enjoyable for students.
Janna is passionate about teaching all students to play with a natural and efficient technique; she also incorporates theory and analysis in all lessons so that students can immerse themselves fully in the repertoire they are playing and therefore be free to play with the highest level of expression, whether they are beginners playing from a method book or advanced students playing Beethoven Sonatas.
Janna has been a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music since 2004 and is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Illinois State Music Teachers Association as well as a regular volunteer board member for her local association. She was elected Member of the Year in 2021 by the West Suburban Music Teachers Association.
Janna’s students participate in the ISMTA Achievement in Music theory and performance exams and regularly place in local competitions. Janna has prepared many students for college admissions auditions and piano proficiency entrance exams. She is a MusicLink teacher and a member of TopMusicPro.
TESTIMONIALS
“I strongly believe that Janna is the best TEACHER (irrespective of subject) that my daughters have ever had. She has a way of motivating the girls to do better and their perseverance and determination is largely a desire to please her. Now, because of their knowledge of music and expertise in theory as well as piano technique, they love it and I’m pretty sure they will be ‘music nerds’ (that’s what I call them) for the rest of their life!”
Scott, piano parent since 2006
“I am so grateful to Janna for 8 years of incredible tutelage. I draw on her teaching example every day, especially now that I’m teaching my own piano students. I’m so grateful that I had a master teacher like “Miss” Janna so I was able to learn piano teaching by imitation, emulating her strategies, problem solving, and vision for my playing when I was a student. What a gift to have received from her not only years of instruction for myself, but the abounding resource of learning how to teach my own students now.”
Madeleine, student from 2007-2015
“Studying with Janna for 9 years gave me such a solid musical foundation. I minored in jazz guitar in college and play piano once a week at church now, and the sight-reading and aural skills Janna instilled in me have been indispensable! I highly recommend her as a private music instructor.”
Matt, student from 2001-2009
“Janna is simply an amazing piano teacher. She is just as passionate about teaching as she is about music. Her dedication, patience and commitment to excellence transcends the piano studio. I have three kids with three very distinct personalities. Not only do they all play beautifully, the values of work and practice are now a part of their daily lives.”
Rowena, piano parent 2005-2020
"Janna encourages her students to strive for excellence. She helps her students to develop into well-rounded musicians by improving their ability to play and listen to music and to master the concepts of music theory. She works with her students to build a solid foundation for the study of music in college and for an appreciation of music for the rest of their lives. Janna has been a blessing in my children's lives.”
Debbie, piano parent 2001-2020
