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GERRY DIAMOND, ​FOUNDER

INSTRUCTOR - PIANO IN-PERSON

GERRY@FAMILYPIANOACADEMY.COM
 
Gerry Diamond, the founder of Family Piano Academy, graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music in 1989 with a degree in composition. Throughout the early 90’s, Gerry worked as a performing musician. He began teaching piano part-time in 1992. He enjoyed teaching so much that he opened his own studio in 1993 and made teaching his full-time career by 1995 (Diamond Piano Academy-Quail Corners Commons). Gerry operated Diamond Piano Academy until 2002. During this time, he created the Diamond Piano Method, a course of study that introduces young musicians to the music theory fundamentals that create the music they are learning to play.
 
In 2002, Gerry merged Diamond Piano Academy with several partner businesses that specialized in visual arts instruction, computer programming, and summer camp development. He spent the next 4 years helping his new partners open music studios in several locations in the Charlotte, Cary, and Winston Salem areas.
Eager to be home more and to return to the classroom and concentrate on curriculum development, Gerry opened Family Piano Academy on October 1, 2007. He launched DiamondPiano.com to support his Diamond Piano Method in 2011. Family Piano Academy and DiamondPiano.com remain Gerry’s two great work life passions, and he remains excited about seeing them help music students and teachers for decades to come.

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Tamara Peters - Piano, Voice since 2017; FPA Manager since 2021

Raven Ridge - Monday through Friday

Education: B.M. in Music Education and Voice from Westminster Choir College
 
Areas of specialization: Preschool and elementary aged students; tweens and teens; vocal health; pop and classical; college audition prep (for voice)
 
Philosophy: Learning music is about more than the instrument. I want my students to leave their lessons feeling confident and with skills that will transfer to other areas of their life, no matter where their journey leads!

David Prodoehl - Piano, String Bass, and Bass Guitar since 2007

Virtual - Wednesday

Education: B.M. from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music; M.M. from East Carolina University
 
Areas of specialization: Teaching piano, string bass and bass guitar in any style; improvisation and simple composition; all ages 6+
 
Philosophy: Music can be a dear lifelong friend, especially for those who actively participate in its creation by playing an instrument. I strive to teach you how to cultivate your innate musical abilities in order to experience life more deeply, richly, socially and joyfully.

John Corey - Piano since 2009

Glenwood - Friday; Raven Ridge - Saturday

Education: B.M. from East Carolina University; M.M. from UNC Greensboro
 
Areas of specialization: Classical, Gospel, Jazz, and Blues; Playing By Ear/Ear Training; Music Theory; Arranging and Composition
 
Philosophy: Music education plants and cultivates the musical seeds that have the potential to produce musical enjoyment and learning throughout life. As a music educator, my primary goal is to help all students develop the knowledge and skills to be independent and lifelong consumers, performers, and/or composers of music.

Keith Lewis - Piano, Guitar, Bass since 2013

Raven Ridge - Monday and Thursday; Virtual - Tuesday and Wednesday

Education: B.A. in Music with a concentration in Audio Production from Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Institute of Music
 
Areas of specialization: Music Theory, Composition, Arranging
 
Philosophy: The only difference between a right note and a wrong note is the confidence with which it is played. I help my students learn to play with musical understanding and technique so that they can back up every single one of their notes with confidence and intention.

Kelly Craig - Piano since 2015

Raven Ridge - Wednesday; Virtual - Tuesday and Thursday

Education: B.S. in Child Development from East Carolina University with a Music Minor
 
Areas of specialization: Elementary, middle, and high school aged students; church music; accompaniment
 
Philosophy: I want my students to develop confidence as an individual, to develop accuracy in note reading and theory, and to play with expression. I encourage my students to think of each song as a story that they are meant to tell rather than a collection of notes on a page.

Pam Patterson - Piano

Glenwood - Monday through Thursday

Education: BA in Music with a concentration in music composition from UNCG
 
Areas of specialization: Classical, Folk, Liturgical, Composition. Teach both Flute and Piano
 
Philosophy: Music is a journey, where each new skill acquired unlocks a new level of beauty and enjoyment. From the first handful of notes learned on the very first day of lessons, many familiar tunes can be made. I work with each student to play music that is meaningful to them at whatever skill level they have achieved.

Rick Zayas - Piano since 2010 (Yo hablo Español)

Raven Ridge - Wednesday

Education: 50+ years of professional work as a freelance keyboard player, studio musician, arranger, composer, and music director in New York, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City; extensive private study with experts in the fields of theory, composition, and jazz/latin styles
 
Areas of specialization: General piano performance; playing in ensembles; jazz, rock, R&B, blues, Latin, and Brazilian music; music theory, chord studies, advanced lead sheet studies; music recording and composition; instruction in Spanish
 
Philosophy: Music has to be fun. The more you practice, the more fun you will have. Music is NOT the dots on the page – it is the beautiful sound you create. Play the kind of music YOU want to play. Write your own music. Play in front of an audience. Have fun, then have more fun.

Ryan Burdett - Piano Instructor since 2015; former FPA student

Raven Ridge - Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; Virtual - Wednesday

Education: Degree in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University
 
Areas of specialization: Songwriting and composition; pop, rock, and classical; singing while playing
 
Philosophy: I teach students how to be their own best teacher by giving them a foundation in individualized practice habits and strategies, reading and writing music, and technique so they can pursue music they are passionate about!

Tonia Mazilu - Piano, Violin since 2015 (Vorbesc romaneste, Я говорю на русском)

Raven Ridge - Tuesday and Friday

Education: M.F.A. in Violin Performance from University of California, Irvine
 
Areas of specialization: Classical violin, classical piano, music theory; instruction in Russian and Romanian (in addition to English)
 
Philosophy: I enjoy teaching the wonder of music to the students of preschool ages to the teenage years. While teaching violin or piano, I individually tailor the lessons according to each of my student’s needs so they would feel confident and achieve their maximum potential.

Tony D’Ambrosio - Piano, Guitar since 2021 (30+ years before joining FPA)

Raven Ridge - Tuesday through Saturday

Education: B.A. in Professional Music, Composition, and Arranging from Berklee College of Music
 
Areas of specialization: Beginner, elementary, teens, tweens, and adults
 
Philosophy: I provide a strong musical foundation in technique, sight reading, and music theory so a student may pursue any genre of music.

Valentina Palanciuc - Piano since 2014 (Vorbesc romaneste, Я говорю на русском)

Raven Ridge - Monday, Tuesday, and Friday

Education: B.M. in Piano Performance
 
Areas of specialization: classical; students of all ages; advanced students; ABRSM exam prep; music theory and technique; instruction in Russian and Romanian (In addition to English)
 
Philosophy: I am excited to pass on my knowledge and appreciation for classical music to my students.

MYLES VENEY- PIANO INSTRUCTOR SINCE 2024; FORMER FPA STUDENT

Raven Ridge - Every Wednesday

Education: B.A. in Music Studies with a concentration in Piano Principles and Minor in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
 
Areas of specialization: Classical piano studies, gospel music performance, music production (FL Studio and GarageBand), songwriting, and music composition.
 
Philosophy: Above all else, my primary goal is meeting every person where they are at. I like to focus on discovering unique aspects of each student’s learning style and find out what will make studying piano an enjoyable experience. I believe making music should be as fun as it is challenging and will put in every effort to ensure lessons with me reflect this core value. Whether we learn by the book or have to find a more innovative approach, everyone under my instruction is bound to teach me as much as I teach them.

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