Private/Group Piano & Brass Lessons | Piano Tuning
About Miss Stephi
About Lessons
A Dedicated Music Teacher
An Adaptive Teaching Style
My name is Stephanie Kolacki, and I am a Piano and Brass Instructor, as well as a Piano Technician, in Flagstaff, Arizona. I currently run a small studio out of my home, where I reside with my husband, Connor. In addition to my private studio, I have many years of experience teaching general music, piano lab, and beginning-to-advanced band in local elementary and middle schools. I have lived in Flagstaff all of my life, and have no plans to leave any time soon!
I began learning the Piano at the age of seven, and the Trombone at the age of twelve. All throughout grade school, I continued studying music both privately and at school, which led me to earn many awards and scholarships, and to ultimately pursue my music degree at Northern Arizona University. Upon graduating, I was selected as the "2015 Outstanding Graduating Student" for my degree by the NAU School of Music faculty. I began teaching privately in my senior year of college, and have been running my private studio ever since!
I love working with people of all ages and abilities, and teach beginning through advanced students. I studied Disability Studies as a minor degree at NAU, and have worked with students from all walks of life. It is my belief that music is for everyone, and whether it is a hobby or a career, being able to play an instrument is an enriching gift that will last a lifetime. You may not be able to do a back flip when you're 40, but you'll still be able to play that meaningful piece that you learned 20 years ago.
In addition to private lessons, I also offer professional piano tuning and minor piano repair. I graduated from the Piano Technician Academy, completed a three year apprenticeship, and have been servicing pianos all across Northern Arizona for several years. I served as the Assistant Piano Technician for Northern Arizona University from 2019 to 2023, and I am the current Piano Technician for Flagstaff Unified School District. Give me a call or fill out my online form to schedule a tuning or repair!
I’ve molded and shaped my teaching style and philosophy of music education based on my own experiences in private lessons and group ensembles. I’ve created a format for each piano lesson and use a curriculum that works, and keeps students motivated. My personal goal is to help produce well-rounded musicians who have a strong foundation in reading, rhythm, ear training and music theory that will allow them to branch off and progress into any style or genre. What they’re interested in now might completely change five years from now!
Students learn theory and technique from highly effective method books, as well as games and hands on activities. While we study music out of method books, we are almost always working on supplemental solos in tandem. If a student is really interested in blues, or playing on their church worship team, those interests become a majority of their supplemental music. However, all students work on classical, lyrical, technical, lead sheet reading, and blues. Students rotate genre but are able to choose songs that they want to play! I try to keep lessons as dynamic as possible, incorporating duets, games, and hands on activities into each lesson.
While my goal is to create well rounded musicians who can one day play any piece of music that their hearts desire - I do so while simultaneously trying to keep their love of music at the center of each lesson. I don’t require memorization of pieces, exams, festivals, competitions, or high stakes performances. Our recitals typically range from 4 - 10 students and are held at a variety of locations including my home, coffee shops, and local churches. Some are as informal as a "hot chocolate bar" with 4 students, and others are as formal as a church recital with 10 or more students. Kids can even perform for each other in a kid-only zone at one of our Summer Camps or Day Camps. As a child, I was forced into competitions, exams, and high stakes performances that required memorization that caused plenty of meltdowns! My love for music, and my students' love for music come before all else in our studio. I do my best to make sure there’s something for every child and family.
Students are able to choose between private lessons (30, 45, or 60 minutes), or partial partner lessons with another child, where the lessons overlap by 15 minutes so that the students can work on duets and games together. Some students flourish when lessons are more social and they’re doing them with another child, while some do better with one on one! Lessons are scheduled for each child once a week, and held at the same time every week.
In addition to piano lessons, I teach Trombone and Baritone/Euphonium students from Beginners to College Prep levels. I love working with brass students to improve their tone, sight reading, and overall technique as well as help with solos and/or band music! I also help students with solo and ensemble, regionals, and all state audition preparation as well.
I hope you'll consider giving me the opportunity to bring a little music into your life!