Teaching Testimonials

It would be hard to overstate the level of excellence that Charles Szczepanek delivers as a music teacher. My journey with Charles began with piano and composition lessons, quickly becoming a rich, multifaceted musical education. His guidance has profoundly changed how I perceive and engage with piano music — as a listener, performer, and composer. Under his mentorship, I've learned to approach the piano not just as a single instrument but as an entire orchestra.

Charles possesses an outstanding depth of knowledge in multiple areas of music. His extensive experience as a pianist, composer, arranger, music producer, and audio engineer is hard to match. His well-rounded expertise and profound understanding of orchestration have enriched every lesson, turning them into invaluable learning experiences.

Despite the virtual nature of the lessons, Charles' adeptness with technology ensures that this format never feels like a limitation. He has also guided me in enhancing my piano, microphone, and camera setup to create a more effective environment.

One of the most impactful aspects of his teaching style is his skill in asking the right questions. These questions guide me through self-discovery, enabling me to independently solve problems and overcome challenges. Whether suggesting novel practice methods for difficult passages or discussing a piece's nuances, his strategies are always tailored to facilitate deeper understanding and growth.

Charles' passion for music and teaching is evident in every interaction — during lessons and through the content he shares online. His dedication and passion to see his students succeed has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me.

Under his guidance, I completed an advanced piano arrangement of a song from a musical — a project that initially seemed daunting. Not only did I complete the arrangement, but with his support, I successfully performed, recorded, produced, and published the sheet music, audio recording, and video. That project was my first commercial arrangement, and Charles was instrumental at every step of this journey.

Charles Szczepanek is an exceptional music teacher and a catalyst for transforming musical dreams into reality. Every week, I look forward to our music lessons. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced pianist with years of experience, I feel confident that studying with Charles will take your musical skills to the next level. Don't just take my word for it — check out his YouTube channels and some of his courses to experience this musical excellence firsthand.

--Alex Nevarez

"Charles Szczepanek is not only an excellent pianist and artist; he is also an incomparable mentor. He is the one that made me realize that, in music, progress can only be achieved through collaboration, through synergy, rather than through pressure. I very much apply the discipline and drive he instilled in me through my adult life and in my work.  He knows of so many little details and nuances which can enrich a character with genuine emotion, and accentuates the deeper meaning of each piece which must be communicated to the audience, and, ultimately, allows you to achieve a result which is far beyond the realm of a simple musical performance. He teaches you how to fill every performance with energy; he gives a lot of attention to correctly conveying a movement or touch to ensure that it is filled with musical purpose.  I am not merely grateful to him, I have to admit that the pianist and teacher I am today is a result of his influence. Thank you, Charles!"

--Erin Kludy

"Charles is by far the best piano teacher I’ve ever known. Not only is he phenomenally knowledgeable in all aspects of piano, composing, and producing, but also very kind, patient, and enthusiastic. Being an adult student of his is rather like what Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz felt when the tornado dropped her from grey Kansas into a previously unknown place of exquisite brightness and color: His explanations of theory and execution take music from the difficult, mundane and inaccessible to a new realm of artistry and possibilities. He teaches using the Socratic method, giving his students the chance to participate in their learning and challenge their understanding. And he teaches how to practice smarter and more efficiently so they achieve success much more quickly. I really appreciate that he tailors lessons to each student individually, so we can learn music that interests us rather than slogging through a boring method book. That’s huge, and such a welcome change from previous experiences!

He’s one in a million, a gifted pianist and teacher, and I’m so grateful he’s willing to teach adults returning to piano along with his many highly advanced students destined for great musical careers.

--Wendy Rodriguez

"I started down my music path during the pandemic after my husband bought me a keyboard as a surprise Christmas gift.  I floundered around for a number of months looking at this YouTube video or that course or reading yet another lesson book.  The net result was I knew a lot about not very much.  Then one day, as I trolled the internet for yet more ideas on how to play a piano, I learned about Charles Szczepanek.  My life changed. While Charles was very interested in what sort of music I wanted to play, he of course knew the technical journey I would have to travel to reach my goal.  Charles gave me focus and direction.  He had me learn pieces that were challenging yet beautiful to listen to.  Music that I wanted to practice because I loved to play it.  Charles has been attentive, encouraging and patient.  If I want to play better, he expects me to put in the work required.  I am light years ahead of where I was just a year ago. I am playing RCM grade 5 and 6 level pieces.  I get up each day wanting to play my piano.

So what happens to most adult piano students….they quit after a few months because they are spinning in circles and getting nowhere or they quit because they don’t want to play songs such as Row Row your Boat or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  If you are looking for a teacher who can help you reach your music goals, Charles is both a superb teacher and an excellent musician.  I cannot recommend him highly enough."

--Louise Bailey

"I found Charles in the hopes to learn “how to play piano.” He exceeded all expectations by helping me understand music beyond your everyday lessons. He’s been instrumental in my development as an artist and even as a producer/engineer. His expertise in professional audio work and exceptional performance piano experience is sure to make your decision to choose Charles the right one.   I have to add, Charles and I met when I was 12 years old and have been working together ever since. I’m now 27!"

--Braulio Vega

"With Charles as my teacher, I improved more in one year than I had in the previous six years with another teacher. Beyond viewing classical pieces simply as pieces, he taught me the historical context behind the music, and helped me break apart and analyze individual sections so I could truly understand what I was playing. In addition to being able to accommodate teaching all types of piano music, whether that be pop, jazz, video game, or movie music, he is an expert in Romantic era classical music, which was evident through the way he taught me the emotions that encapsulate and provide context for many of the greatest piano pieces in history, such as Frédéric Chopin's "Ballade in G minor", or Franz Liszt's "Sonata in B-flat minor." By the end of each lesson, I felt that I had learned a tremendous amount about piano, whether that be the pieces I was playing, music theory, technique, or even how to practice efficiently. Additionally, when I had any performances or recordings come up, Charles would go out of his way to ensure that I was well prepared and that I had the tools I needed to succeed. Most importantly, the lessons always kept me intrigued and engaged, and when fatigue or burnout would set in after months of practicing, he would be sensitive to this and personalize the lesson plans according to how I was feeling. Since I started taking lessons with him nearly four years ago, not once have I regretted it. He reinvigorates the joy of learning and mastering piano."

--Hayden Arnold

"Charles is a thoughtful and caring piano/composition and orchestration teacher. He has marvelous listening skills to help guide students to become a better arranger and interpreter of the music."

--Bob Geurs

"It was an honor to be a student of Charles.  It had been a long time since I took lessons, but he made me feel very comfortable.  He recognized my skill level and helped me to advance and accomplish more than I dreamed of.  Charles introduced me to several new techniques, scales, chords and theory I had never been taught before and also helped to correct bad habits I didn't realize I was doing.  His love of music, creativity and expertise made lessons so amazing.  I never wanted the lessons to be over."

--Julie Cruz