Personal Piano Training Reviews From Colleagues and Students
I decided to start piano lessons in my 3rd year of medical school after hearing a resident play on one of the hospital's public pianos. I thought it was beautiful and I wanted to keep listening to him play, so I thought it was time to learn myself! I had previous music experience in high school band and playing cello, but I hadn't played since my teens, as I was worried I didn't have time as an adult.
Since starting lessons, I feel much more confident that I can learn pieces and share them with others. I've loved playing a lullaby for my nephew and Zelda music for my partner. It's also been a great way to de-stress from my job and to clear my mind before I go to sleep.
Anton has a knack for teaching. He is especially good at noticing what you enjoy about music and drawing out your interests and strengths. For example, he noticed I really resonated with a Spanish piece and found a book of Spanish music for us to practice. This is different from other learning experiences I've had, because he guides you to enjoy the music and the process of learning. It feels like a very genuine, personal experience, not a script or process where I must simply complete tasks, which has made it all the more enjoyable.
Piano has been an excellent way to unwind after a busy day. It's something I can do for myself, and it helps me get my mind off work. I enjoy seeing myself progress, especially after a tough day. I find that I'm refreshed and happier after I practice. I might not be able to practice every day, but Anton has been wonderful about being flexible and working around my exams and shift work.
I was a little hesitant to try online sessions at first, but I don't notice a difference in quality compared to in-person lessons, and I prefer the scheduling flexibility. Anton has an excellent setup, so it's easy to see what he's doing, and he can still correct my finger positions and comment on musical expression easily online. I'm so happy he's my teacher!
Dana Moon
Radiologist
Brendan McGrath
Pianist , Teacher, & Composer
Anton is a gifted instructor and pianist. As a former master's student myself of classical piano performance, I've taken many lessons with Anton, specifically regarding virtuoso romantic repertoire. My time with him has always been informative, inspiring, and - most importantly - he helped me directly to solve the problems I wanted to solve. Anton strikes a rare balance: he is knowledgeable about the tradition of piano playing, but open-minded about new ideas. One of the most useful and inspiring things about studying with Anton is his heavy engagement as a listener to piano music, always able to recommend suitable repertoire, as well as recordings of great pianists playing that repertoire. This kind of audio-first approach allowed me to ask for exactly the help I needed from Anton by pointing to direct references. I found he was unusually equipped to discuss these topics with me. During COVID I took part in a set of online masterclasses that Anton held for students, something which I hope to do again. During this process, I received excellent feedback from Anton as well as his other students, no doubt themselves well-informed by way of studying with him. In all, I find Anton to be respectful, practical, creative, and attentive. I would greatly recommend allowing him to take you under his wing.
Natsha Siri
Pianist & Teacher
During the pandemic, I attended an online workshop that had a few different pianists of all backgrounds attend. I was able to openly share my challenges with the tempo and some technical aspects of the Czerny exercise I’ve been working on, and the group gave me such amazing feedback and encouragement to help me become a better pianist and musician. Anton also asked me questions that made me reconsider my perspective of this exercise; it started off as just a hand exercise to help increase velocity and stamina, but then I realized that it was truly like a short, happy song with some distinct melodies and harmonies.
Anyway, you want to know more about Anton, right? Anton as a human being: KIND, CHILL, & FUNNY. He makes good jokes and there’s never an awkward moment. Anton as a piano teacher: PATIENT, ENTHUSIASTIC, & KNOWLEDGEABLE!!! He can deal with all kinds of people and teach all levels of piano. I highly recommend taking piano lessons from Anton Achondoa. ✨
James Singleton
Pianist
I was understandably nervous about playing during my online lesson with Anton, having drifted for 30 years with few results to show for it. I was expecting to be savaged for the 2 pieces we decided to look (1 Chopin etude, 1 Rachmaninoff prelude).
Anton's gentle nature seemed to put me at ease, and despite me taking things faster than my current technical abilities would allow. It was ok to not be perfect and sounding as fluent as Ashkenazy on the Chopin!
He gave me many technical insights on relaxation and efficiency that had never been explained to me before. I asked about how to become more solid with memory rather than just mindless repetition and was treated
to a detailed harmonic analysis (particularly the Rach prelude) which made a lot of sense to me. Suddenly I had a path to secure memorisation that I'd always felt I lacked. He offered many approaches to practicing that were totally new to me and which have already have begun to pay dividends.
Anton is a great player but most of all, he's one of those rare people who can explain his unique insights and approaches to the non-prodigies like myself. I would highly recommend him as a teacher of piano and also just musicality and theory as well.
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More Reviews from Anton’s Former Piano Students
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Alla Salakhova | Vocalist
“Anton is a fantastic piano teacher. I had Anton for a university piano course and I improved greatly while studying with him. He is kind, professional, and made lessons very enjoyable. He also continuously challenged me which I appreciated. His passion and extensive musical knowledge make him a highly skilled teacher!”
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Jillian Dewar | Flutist
In having Anton as my piano instructor, I have seen major improvements in my overall technique and musicality. He is an incredibly knowledgeable musician in his craft and has a passion for sharing this enthusiasm with students at all playing levels. Anton offers a welcoming environment during lessons so that you as a student feel comfortable giving your best effort and you don’t feel chastised for making mistakes. He can pinpoint where your technique needs improvement and provides great suggestions and exercises to jump those hurdles. If you are looking to take your musicianship to the next level, I would highly recommend Anton as your instructor!
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Grace Ren | Pianist
“I had Anton as a teacher for a university music course and I enjoyed our lessons very much! He is a kind and attentive teacher and I have no doubt in his ability to give any student a comfortable learning environment.”
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Mikaela Olsen | Violinist
“Mr. Achondoa was very patient yet diligent in his teaching. He found the delicate balance between encouraging me in my progress while also challenging me with new skills and opportunities. This has really benefitted my studies in piano and in music as a whole. I am very thankful that he was my instructor.
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Annie Lamarre | Saxophonist
“ Anton is a highly skilled and incredibly patient teacher. During my time as his piano student, he continuously found ways to help me feel confident in my developing abilities, while also feeding me new material that was challenging enough that I would have room to grow and improve. I’m so grateful that he was my instructor while I learned the fundamentals of pianism!
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Dexter Lough | Percussionist
“I had Anton for an introductory piano course and he was wonderful to work with. He always prioritised the students’ improvement and encouraged coming in for extra help if needed. He had you choose the piece rather than assigning it to you and was very thorough with scales and techniques. I wouldn’t be able to recommend him any more!”
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Jaime & Karleen | Parents of a former Student
“Anton was our son’s first music teacher and was highly influential to our son. Our son developed the discipline to practice piano every day and he always looked forward to his lessons with Anton. We knew that Anton had the skill set and personality to fit perfectly. Anton is a friend to anyone who meets him.”
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