Rochelle Sallee Piano

Rochelle Sallee has been teaching music in many capacities for over 25 years. She is licensed in the state of Florida as a Music Educator. She has been thoroughly vetted by Indian River County Schools. Her teaching experience in piano includes work at  the University and High School levels (Eastern Washington University, University of Utah, West High School SLC).  She has also worked in children's musical theatre with the nationally recognized Missoula Children's Repertory Theater. As a departmental composer/pianist and teacher for the Masters Degree in Children's Theater and the MA and DMA programs in music offered at the University of Utah. Her desire to pass on her personal love of music and performance ranges from the beginner pianist to those who have already established their basic training and are interested in higher level goals. Ms. Sallee has currently has students ranging from ages  6 to 92! She excels at working with returning adult pianists who want to brush up old skills or build new ones.

Rochelle is an active performing artist  which leaves her only enough hours to take 8 students in her formal advanced studio at once. Beginners Academy accepts new students according to time slots available. Students are accepted after Audition or first Beginners Lesson only. Not a volume or "factory" environment, Rochelle prepares and plans for each student as an individual, tailoring repertoire, goals, competitions and expectations to each student. Rochelle is happy to help place students with other local teachers for the best fit for the students needs. 

Rochelle Sallee teaches from the comfort of her own home located in Sebastian, Florida. Advanced Students benefit from working on her Centennial Edition Schimmel concert grand piano. Her second piano (Stienway M) with a substantially lighter action is used for beginners and , 2 piano/4 hand work or concerto preparation. Under some circumstances "at home" lessons are available. There is an extra fee for travel expenses.

Ms. Sallee believes students and parents are a vital part of a team effort along with the teacher, and everyone should be in agreement on the individual musical goals. Also, she notes that all children are unique individuals with personality and talents that are their own. Respect for individual differences, special talents or needs of each student is a high priority. Ms. Sallee does not discriminate between children regardless of race, religion, home status or parental/support persons. All people are welcome here!

The Studio philosophy includes having fun and staying relaxed during lessons, but progress should be continuous. Even very young Beginners should expect to practice at home on the skills they have acquired from previous and current lessons. All lessons are briefly documented in a student notebook which should be brought to each lesson. Beginners will benefit from using technology based music reading and theory programs which are recommended on an individual basis.

Beginners Academy: First Lesson/Audition

Of course with young children a period of the first lesson will be some "get to know you" time, but even the youngest student will actively learn hand position/body mechanics. We will cover some basic counting, clapping, singing and pitch identifying to find the best possible teaching methods for the individual. No one is left behind for lack of skills on the first lesson, but a natural musical ear or particular challenge in counting or naming letters will guide the goals and homework for the first few weeks. 

All beginners, regardless of age, should come to the first lesson prepared with a notebook, clean hands and trimmed fingernails. The studio has extremely expensive pianos and benches, no food or drinks and clean clothing is also required. Miss Rochelle has an Artists Bench which can accommodate  the smallest students, sitting them high enough for proper hand/body position at the keyboard. Teenage or Adult Beginners may have a 45 minute first lesson if desired, with the fee increasing at the regular posted prices. 

Students under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult for the first entire lesson of 30 minutes. After the first lesson this is no longer required. 

Studio (Advanced) Student Audition:

Students should bring notebook/notes from current or former teacher and will be asked to perform at a minimum:   

• Scales (speed and range appropriate to level)

• Technical Exercise or Etude (eg: Hannon, Czerny, Chopin Etudes)

• One piece of any length, memorized and polished to best of student's current ability

• One piece in progress representing the most technically challenging level achieved

• Sight reading demonstration

• Testing on theory (do not panic, this is purely informational)

The fee for an audition is $90, which includes a full 60 minute hearing/lesson and 15 minute consultation with the parent after the lesson. Additional sessions are at lower prices. 

Students can choose to participate in Florida Federation of Music Clubs (FFMS) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competitions as representatives of the Rochelle Sallee Piano Studio.  

Ms. Sallee's students consistently rank in the Superior categories, and have participated at high levels in junior and senior solo, duet and concerto competitions.  All of Ms. Sallee's Studio members are asked to attend a number of live performances each year, many of them free of charge, to foster the knowledge of repertoire and performance practices. A complete description of the studio requirements and expectations are presented to the parent and student at the first audition. 

Rochelle's Studio students are high level serious musicians, most headed for college degrees in piano performance, although some are also studying strings and conducting. All of the students work weekly on scales and/or arpeggios, starting with the study of Czerny Op. 299 and Bach Two Part Inventions or demonstrations of those accomplishments, then progressing to concert etudes and Bach Preludes and Fugues. Each student is continuously working on Classical sonata, a major Romantic period work, and in most cases  a modern piece as well. As some students are reaching out toward additional career/scholastic goals, basic conducting and composition are also offered.

**Additional note to parents:

I have found that students feel less pressured and perform and learn better in a one on one environment. Therefore parents are ask to not to attend regular lessons. Ms. Sallee does have some outside seating but parents are free to leave (after ensuring the student is safely inside). Pick up time is strict and similar to school/child care expectations. Late pickups on multiple occasions will result in the student being dropped.