Private Piano Lessons & Teachers in Saint Leo, FL

With a passion for music that spans decades, I began my journey in piano teaching in 2006, conducting private and group sessions. My musical voyage began even earlier during my high school days at Smithfield High School in VA, where my exceptional talents were recognized by my choir director, leading me to pursue higher education at Shenandoah University Conservatory. There, I earned my BM and MM degrees in Piano Performance with a minor in organ, shaping my profound understanding of classical music. Over the years, I've honed my skills in chamber music and music theatre, amassing 26 years of experience accompanying and coaching singers, as well as a decade in ballet dance accompaniment. Notably, I had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall in 2014 and continue to enrich my musical journey by collaborating with local bands and performing at prestigious events.

I'm a skilled pianist, composer, and teacher with over 20 years of experience in jazz, blues, ragtime, and classical piano. My musical journey began in early childhood with classical piano lessons and a love for the violin, growing into a lifelong passion shaped by decades of focused study, performance, and creative exploration. I specialize in helping students of all ages and levels not just play the piano, but truly understand the music—building lasting confidence, solid technique, and expressive freedom.   I'm not just a pianist, but a versatile musician. During my years at Clarkston Middle and High School, I also played saxophone in both concert and marching band, gaining a well-rounded foundation across instruments and styles. At 17, I began intensive boogie-woogie piano training under Matthew Ball, “The Boogie Woogie Kid,” whose YouTube channel has over 5 million views. Around the same time, I studied jazz and classical theory, composition, and arranging while earning college credits at Oakland Community College.   After moving to Florida, I began performing professionally at age 26, booking regular gigs at restaurants and venues throughout the local area. Since then, I’ve composed over 30 original works in jazz, classical, and ragtime styles. My musical interests have also grown to include modern production, using the Yamaha MOXF8 and Montage to explore synth-based sounds, ambient textures, and chill lounge music—perfect for students drawn to both traditional and contemporary approaches.   My teaching style is student-centered, encouraging, and highly adaptable. Whether you're a total beginner, a casual hobbyist, or a serious musician working toward advanced goals, each lesson is tailored to your needs. We'll strengthen your technique, develop your creativity, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Lessons are 1-on-1, online or in person based on your location. New students can pay their first lesson in full, or receive 100% money back—book today and start your musical journey!

"A Great First Lesson Scott is an excellent piano teacher! As a beginner, I really appreciate how patient, clear, and encouraging he is. He has a great way of breaking down the basics so they’re easy to understand and practice. His guidance on technique and fingering has already made a noticeable difference in my playing. Scott’s teaching style is structured yet relaxed, which makes each lesson both productive and enjoyable. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to build a strong foundation in piano!

Music is a journey, and I'm passionate about guiding students on theirs. As a professional pianist with 15 years of experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for music to each lesson. Let's unlock your musical potential together!

The strengths I have cultivated and rely on in my teaching are rooted in my diverse background. Two significant factors have shaped my growth and process as a pianist and musician. First, my initial musical training and development were strongly rooted in Taiwan. In Taiwanese music educational system, they enhance the training in theory, music history and aural skills. For the yearly high school and university entrance examinations, each applicant has to take theory, aural skills and music history exam, and these grades has a significant impact on the final decision regarding the school you will attend. Because of the rigorous training in theory and music history, not only am I able to easily grasp the composition’s structure and musical background, but it also offers me a framework for interpreting pieces and making informed decisions regarding phrasing, dynamics and expression. Furthermore, my love and passions through the piano and its ability for beauty and virtuosity were cultivated during my studies with Lina Yeh at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Professor Yeh was a student of Hans Leygraf, who was a pupil of Schnabel’s student, Gottfrid Boon, due to this teacher-student relationship, I was fortunate enough to feel a strong connection to German piano music. Professor Yeh had influenced me profoundly, particularly in regard to composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms. One significant aspect of my musical interpretation leans more towards Classical music. As a teacher, it is my goal to build a great teaching environment where they can sustain their passions. Through heavily relying on fluid technique and comprehending the underlying musical structure and harmonies, my desire is for my students to be able to utilize music as a communicative tool and eventually pass on this ability to their own students one day in the near future.