1^st lesson free

Melissa

4.8 (6 reviews)

Rate $71
Response 1h
Students
Number of students Melissa has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
50+
Number of students Melissa has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

4.8 (6 reviews)

$71/h

1^st lesson free

Piano

Learn Piano with a Ph.D. Music Educator — 30 Years of Experience Helping Students Become Confident, Independent Musicians

Piano

Lesson location

- online

Super Tutor

Melissa is one of our best Piano tutors. High-quality profile and excellent qualifications, organised and responsive to lesson requests, appreciated by their students!

About Melissa

I’m Dr. Melissa Mills, a professional music educator with a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education from Michigan State University and 30 years of teaching experience. I have taught musicians from beginning children through university students and professional-level performers, including serving on the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Music.

I especially love working with students who may not thrive in one-size-fits-all music lessons. I welcome neurodivergent learners, including students with ADHD and autism, and adapt instruction to the individual student—how they process information, what helps concepts click, what motivates them, and what helps them succeed independently. I am also an approved provider for Utah Fits All and the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship, so eligible families may be able to use scholarship funds for piano lessons.

Adult beginners are some of my very favorite students to teach. Whether you have always wanted to play the piano, are returning after lessons many years ago, or simply want something meaningful and enjoyable to do for yourself, you are absolutely welcome in my studio. Adults are often surprised by how quickly they can progress with instruction designed specifically for them. One of my strengths as a teacher is figuring out how you learn best—through listening, seeing patterns, understanding the “why,” physical demonstration, repetition, reading, or a combination—and then adapting lessons and practice strategies to help you make the most progress with the time you have.

And adult piano lessons do not have to mean recreating childhood piano lessons! We can choose music that interests you, move at a pace that makes sense for your goals, and focus on the skills you actually want to develop. Recitals are always optional for adult students. If performing sounds exciting, wonderful. If your ideal audience is yourself in your own living room, that is wonderful too.

My approach is different from one-size-fits-all piano instruction. I look carefully at how each student learns, what motivates them, what comes easily, and where they may be getting stuck. Then I build instruction around that individual student, combining strong musicianship and technique with music they are genuinely excited to play.

My goal isn’t simply to help students get through a method book. I want them to become confident, capable, independent musicians who understand what they’re doing, hear what they’re playing, and experience the satisfaction of making beautiful music.

I teach children, teens, and adults from my home studio in Farmington and online.

About the lesson

No two students learn exactly alike—and their lessons shouldn’t look exactly alike either.

Each lesson is built around the individual student: their age and experience, how they learn and process new information, what motivates them, the music they love, and what they hope to accomplish at the piano.

Beginners make real music from the beginning. Along the way, they develop a strong foundation in keyboard technique, rhythm, note reading, listening, and musicianship—but those skills are taught in the context of music-making, not as isolated exercises to get through before the “real” music can begin. More experienced students may explore advanced repertoire, interpretation, technique, theory, sight-reading, improvisation, composition, performance preparation, or audition skills.

As a Ph.D.-trained music educator, I don’t simply teach students which notes to play. I help them understand how music works, how to listen, how to solve problems, and how to practice effectively. Over time, students need less help from me—not more—because they are developing the skills to learn, interpret, and make music independently.

Lessons may include:
piano technique • repertoire • sight-reading • ear training • music theory • improvisation • composition • performance preparation • effective practice strategies

Students receive serious musical training without a high-pressure atmosphere. Curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are part of learning, and progress matters more than perfection. My goal is for students to leave lessons not only playing better, but understanding more—and increasingly knowing what to do when I’m not sitting beside them.

Review

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by the teacher's students.

4.8 (6 reviews)

L

Levi
- 5
Perfect! Melissa is a fantastic teacher who pours her time into teaching piano. She helps and guides her students into becoming pianist she teaches my son who loves to play and she guides and points out flaws or things that can be better in a respectful manner. My son loves his teacher and I would recommend her to anyone who wants or if their child is interested in playing piano.
See the response Melissa Read more See the response Melissa

L

Levi

Perfect! Melissa is a fantastic teacher who pours her time into teaching piano. She helps and guides her students into becoming pianist she teaches my son who loves to play and she guides and points out flaws or things that can be better in a respectful manner. My son loves his teacher and I would recommend her to anyone who wants or if their child is interested in playing piano.

See the response Melissa
Thank you, Levi! It is truly a privilege and joy to teach your son! :)
- See the response Melissa :
  Thank you, Levi! It is truly a privilege and joy to teach your son! :)
K

Kathryn
- 4
Excellent! Melissa was extremely good at coaxing my very embarrassed and terrified granddaughter to have the bravery to try voice lessons.if you have a nervous and uncertain little potential singer, the Melissa is your woman!!!!
See the response Melissa Read more See the response Melissa

K

Kathryn

Excellent! Melissa was extremely good at coaxing my very embarrassed and terrified granddaughter to have the bravery to try voice lessons.if you have a nervous and uncertain little potential singer, the Melissa is your woman!!!!

See the response Melissa
Thank you Kathryn!
- See the response Melissa :
  Thank you Kathryn!
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Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the tutor.

B

Bryce

I strongly recommend Melissa! She is a master teacher, knows everything about music, and even has a PhD in music education! She makes lessons fun and unforgettable.
Read more

B
Bryce
I strongly recommend Melissa! She is a master teacher, knows everything about music, and even has a PhD in music education! She makes lessons fun and unforgettable.
A

Ashley

I have many years of experience with Melissa as a musician and an educator. My children and I have sung in her choirs and she also provides music theory and composition tutoring to my teenaged son. Melissa is not only a brilliant educator and musician but also deeply kind, positive, enthusiastic, understanding, flexible, generous, funny, and fun. She is a rare combination of technical excellence, musicianship, teaching skill, vast experience, and a delightful personality. I recommend her to everyone I can.
Read more

A
Ashley
I have many years of experience with Melissa as a musician and an educator. My children and I have sung in her choirs and she also provides music theory and composition tutoring to my teenaged son. Melissa is not only a brilliant educator and musician but also deeply kind, positive, enthusiastic, understanding, flexible, generous, funny, and fun. She is a rare combination of technical excellence, musicianship, teaching skill, vast experience, and a delightful personality. I recommend her to everyone I can.
S

Scott

Melissa is the most supportive and patient teacher. She obviously loves teaching music. My grandchildren have taken lessons and been in her choirs and she has helped and uplifted them. Highly recommended.
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S
Scott
Melissa is the most supportive and patient teacher. She obviously loves teaching music. My grandchildren have taken lessons and been in her choirs and she has helped and uplifted them. Highly recommended.
L

Laurie

I highly recommend Dr. Melissa Mills as a voice teacher. Every lesson she is encouraging and tailored to my individual goals. She explains vocal techniques in a way that is easy to understand, and I've noticed improvement in my confidence, vocal range, and overall performance. She creates a positive, supportive environment where I feel comfortable learning and growing. Her patience, professionalism, and genuine passion for teaching make every lesson enjoyable. If you're looking for an outstanding voice teacher who truly cares about you and your progress, Dr. Mills is the perfect choice!
Read more

L
Laurie
I highly recommend Dr. Melissa Mills as a voice teacher. Every lesson she is encouraging and tailored to my individual goals. She explains vocal techniques in a way that is easy to understand, and I've noticed improvement in my confidence, vocal range, and overall performance. She creates a positive, supportive environment where I feel comfortable learning and growing. Her patience, professionalism, and genuine passion for teaching make every lesson enjoyable. If you're looking for an outstanding voice teacher who truly cares about you and your progress, Dr. Mills is the perfect choice!
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Rates

Rate

Pack rates

5 h: $354
10 h: $707

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Melissa will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

30min

online

$71/h

Details

30-minute lessons: $50
45-minute lessons: $75
1-hour lessons: $100

Learn Piano with a Ph.D. Music Educator — 30 Years of Experience Helping Students Become Confident, Independent Musicians

Lesson location

Super Tutor

About Melissa

About the lesson

Review

Recommendations

Rates

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Pack rates

free lessons

online

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Learn Piano with a Ph.D. Music Educator — 30 Years of Experience Helping Students Become Confident, Independent Musicians

Lesson location

Super Tutor

About Melissa

About the lesson

Review

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

free lessons

online

Details

Other tutors in Piano

Mermi

Mariam

STEF

Deborah

Lukas

Kimia

Rosie

Vivian

Mitra

Carmen

Baland

Kass

Veronna

Stephanie

Siena

Natalia

Shenger

Maryam

Sina

Alina

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