FreshStart Piano Studio

I was looking for a good piano teacher for my 6 year old daughter. I checked out several places and I decided to send her to FreshStart Piano Studio. From the very first day, my daughter loved it. She’s been going for about 9 months now and we love it! I can see how much she has improved and the best part is that she likes her teacher and loves going to her lessons. Kevin is a great teacher. He makes it fun for kids which I think is really important especially for the beginners.
They recently moved to a new studio. It’s very clean and nice. Lovely studio!

I started learning piano when I was 4 and half years old back in China. I had a very strict teacher which I later appreciated. Since I had to move around a lot during my middle school/​high school years, I stopped the piano lessons. Eventually, I made my way through college in the U.S. and landed a job in Irvine. I wanted to pick up piano again because I really love music and many of my favorite classical pieces are piano works. Therefore, I wish one day I would be able to play them myself.
I googled around trying to find a good teacher in Irvine area. At first, I was interested in X studio because it seemed formal and well-​advertised on the internet. However, I read a bunch of bad reviews complaining about frequent staff change and other issues at X studio, I backed off. Now I am really glad I didn’t go to that studio. Instead I found Kevin at FreshStart Piano Studio. I booked an interview with him and we hit it off right away. I have been learning with Kevin for a bit over a year now. I really enjoy his teaching style. He was able to identify my technical issues and correct them effectively. For example, I tend to play with only finger strength. As a result, when I play fast pieces, I felt weak. Kevin immediately noticed that I was not using my arm and wrist strength and he taught me how to fix the problem. Moreover, Kevin encouraged me to push myself. Sometimes he’d assign me more difficult pieces that I doubt if I could play them. With his patience (yes he is extremely patient) and guidance, I eventually manage to finish those difficult assignment.
As an adult learner, I was concerned about my learning speed and lots of «bad habits» that I developed during my childhood piano experience. Nevertheless, Kevin was very sharp at detecting my problems and providing me several solutions to fix them. I look forward to my piano lesson every week. I always had a great time during my 60-​minute music session with Kevin. Last but not least, Kevin also set up adult get-​together event for his adult students. We play each other what we’ve been working on. It is one of my favorite part about having lessons with Kevin :)

Finding a good piano teacher is a difficult task. Especially since we had to leave our amazing teacher my daughter had back in Austin, TX.
Kevin has made piano fun for my daughter who, although in the past had a great teacher she hated going! Now, she loves going to her piano lessons and with the help of Kevin she willingly practices almost daily at home without me having to fight with her.
I also appreciate how flexible Kevin can be with my schedule changes once in a while.
I am very happy and very thankful for Kevin and Fresh Start Piano.

My older son started lessons with Kevin about 1.5 years ago when he was 6. We had tried group lessons at pianoforte prior, but they did not keep his attention at all. Time and again, different friends would tell us stories about how their kids dreaded or quit playing piano because they didn’t enjoy it. Our goal was to find a class that could build upon his joy of music, not to discourage it! So it was extremely refreshing to find Kevin, who truly has a gift for teaching piano in a way that makes it as positive and enjoyable for kids as possible. He’s extremely patient as well as encouraging, a great combination when it comes to teaching young children anything that can be challenging at times.
6 months ago, we enrolled our 4 year old son into Miss. Clare’s group lesson and it’s been an equally wonderful experience. He was so delighted with the music he was learning that he would draw notes everywhere and would run downstairs to our piano in the morning and play the new music he had learned.
Kevin and Clare are both incredibly professional and musically talented individuals, but possibly more importantly, their passion for teaching really shines when they are with their students. It’s such a joy witnessing my boys learning the art of music in a truly warm, personal and caring environment. I am looking forward to watching my boys’ love of music continue to grow with time and to establish a strong musical foundation to help them in their future.
I would highly recommend FreshStart Piano Studio without reservation.

My 6-​years-​old daughter takes private piano lessons withMs. Tsai and group class with Ms. Clare. Their music material is systematic and they are experienced in teaching young kids. When Annabelle is confused with the music note or rhythms, they will offer her extra iPad music practice material s or digital music recording to train her brain. Annabelle progresses steadily and gains confidence from their encouragement. I feel Annabelle gets lots of individual attention from them, which she might not have in YAMAHA or other franchise commercial music school. Annabelle is happy to go to her piano class every week.

When I began taking piano lessons with Kevin, I had some piano experience. However, it had been years since I studied and needed to brush up on my skills before pursuing a graduate degree in music therapy. My new degree path requires six semesters of piano courses. Kevin and I set some objectives for the mere 6 months of time we had as teacher and student, with the final goal being my placement into the 2^nd piano class. Kevin is an extremely talented musician and pianist with very effective teaching methods. Based on my musical background and experience, he was able to adjust our lessons to the level of instruction that was necessary to meet our goals. We not only worked on technique, but also theory, musicality, effective practicing, and building repertoire. Thanks to Kevin’s positive and encouraging teaching style, lessons were always enjoyable. Upon entrance into the university, I placed into the 5^th piano class (which far surpassed our original goal), and have been growing as a pianist ever since! I owe my continued success to Kevin and FreshStart Piano Studio, and give my highest recommendation to any level piano student that seeks instruction.

My 8 yr old son has developed a passion for learning how to play the piano, read & even create music after taking classes at FreshStart. His instructor, Kevin is assertive as well as upbeat providing a positive and nurturing environment. His distinct technique keeps my son focused while enjoying every class. I highly recommend this Studio!

Kevin is a knowledgeable, energetic and fun teacher who imparts good techniques and at the same time instills a lifelong appreciation of music. He is extremely professional and responsive yet warm in his communication style. I would certainly recommend him to any one who has always wanted to learn piano but never got around to it like myself. Better late than never. I am looking forward to and enjoying every lesson as my journey in this musical adventure embarks.

My wife learned piano when she was young. The experience was boring and dragging via the traditional (or common) teaching method. When my wife and I looked for a piano teacher for my 7-​year old son, our main concern was that my son wouldn’t keep up the interest. We were lucky to find Kevin. Kevin methodologically blends in skill, theorem, dynamics since day one and keeps my son engage in learning. I can hear and feel the musical elements during my son’s daily practice in the very early stage that he was not just merely hitting notes on keyboard. It’s been almost 18 months since my son started lessons with Kevin. The progress is very obvious and pleasant! The most important thing is that my son continues enjoying playing piano and learning to appreciate the beauty of music. It’s my great pleasure to recommend Kevin to anyone who is interested in learning piano!