Spring After-School Program For Kids & Adults (Jan12–Jun21, 2026)—Course or Drop-In
What classes do we offer?
Piano Buds in a Pod® is a Steinway Educational Partner located at 91 Street & 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. We offer Early-Childhood Music and Piano Classes for Babies and Toddlers, Group Piano Programs, and Individual Piano Lessons—available both in-studio and in-home—for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Our curriculum also includes Classical Piano Exam Training through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), all based in the heart of New York’s Upper East Side. A classical art, a personal journey—book your piano classes.
ALL CLASSES AT PIANO BUDS IN A POD® (MANHATTAN, NYC)
Group Piano Class
New and returning students may book any classes available on the published term schedule. A Full-Course Enrollment Ticket is available at any time, subject to availability. Single 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket bookings open 6 days before each class, subject to availability. No waitlist is maintained. Recital enrollment is now closed, as the maximum capacity has been reached. The Piano Buds in a Pod® Recital will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM at Steinway Hall (1133 Avenue of the Americas, NYC). Participation is optional, subject to availability, for students enrolled in a Full-Course Spring Term (Group or Individual Piano).
Piano Pioneers is an in-studio group piano program for beginner and intermediate students. The program explores keyboard fundamentals, reading on the grand staff, finger dexterity, solo repertoire, and performance skills. Beginner students progress through lesson units using Alfred’s Piano Method Books, completing each unit at their own pace. Classes are conducted in a shared lesson format, where students learn with the teacher at the grand piano, practice independently on digital pianos using their method books, and perform for their classmates at the end of class. This structure encourages musical independence, focus, and confidence in a group setting. Class duration: 45-minutes. Class size: 1 to 5 students. Facility: 1 acoustic grand piano and 5 digital pianos. Fees: Group Piano classes are available as either full-course enrollment or single drop-in sessions. Full-course tuition is $38.50 per 45-minute class, and drop-in tuition is $55, or $38.50 for first-time students using code ILOVEGROUPPIANO, limited to one (1) use per student. Effective after June 21, 2026, full-course tuition and the first-time drop-in rate will be $39.50 per 45-minute class.
Group Piano is a drop-off class without caregiver participation. One parent or caregiver may observe from the designated waiting area for the duration of the class. Due to space constraints, only one parent/caregiver per child is permitted inside Piano Buds in a Pod and must adhere to all Policies and Procedures to support the focus and learning of both students and teachers.
Baby Beethoven Music & Piano Class
New and returning students may book any classes available on the published term schedule. Enroll in a single drop-in class or commit to a full course—whatever works best for your schedule.
Baby Beethoven are early-childhood music and piano classes for toddlers and preschoolers crafted to spark their imagination through music, movement, piano, and dramatic play. Over the semester, with varied themes, students will explore the core concepts of performing classical music within pretend play while keeping a steady beat, playing rhythm instruments, dancing to orchestral music, reading notation, singing the solfège, and exploring the piano with one-finger classical tunes with your stuffy Nina the Ballerina. Age: Our classes are recommended for ages 18 months and up, though we happily welcome little ones younger than 18 months, up to age 4. Class size: 1 to 8 students, accompanied by one (1) parent or caregiver per student. Class duration: 45-minutes. Fees: For the Full-Course Enrollment Ticket, the tuition rate is $34.50 per 45-minute class. A single 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket is $45. The introductory first class is $34.50 when the discount code BABYBEETHOVEN is applied at checkout. Other options are also available: buy a "Class Pass" and gift a music class "Gift Voucher". *After June 21, 2026, you will be paying $35/45-minutes with a Full Course Enrollment Ticket, and $48/45-minutes with a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket.
Taught by: Alexandra
Individual Piano Class
New and returning students may book any classes available on the published term schedule. A Full-Course Enrollment Ticket is available at any time, subject to availability. Single 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket bookings open 6 days before each class, subject to availability. No waitlist is maintained. Recital enrollment is now closed, as the maximum capacity has been reached. The Piano Buds in a Pod® Recital will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM at Steinway Hall (1133 Avenue of the Americas, NYC). Participation is optional, subject to availability, and open to students enrolled in a Full-Course Enrollment for the Spring Term 2025 from January 12 to June 21, 2026 in either Group Piano or Individual Piano Courses.
Individual Piano Class is a 1-on-1 weekly piano lesson held in-studio on an acoustic grand piano, designed for beginners through ABRSM Grade 1–8 levels and open to students ages 3 through adult. Students develop keyboard fundamentals, grand staff reading skills, finger dexterity, solo repertoire, and overall performance technique. Beginner students progress through lesson units using Alfred’s Piano Method Books, completing each unit at their own pace. Whether a student’s goal is to learn a favorite piece or prepare for an ABRSM exam, instruction is centered on mastering repertoire as the foundation of their piano education. Class size: 1 student. Facility: 1 acoustic grand piano and 5 digital pianos. Fees: Individual Piano classes are available as either full-course enrollment or single drop-in sessions. Full-course tuition is $55 per 30-minute class, and drop-in tuition is $75, or $60 for first-time students using code ILOVEPIANO, limited to one (1) use per student. Effective after June 21, 2026, full-course tuition and the first-time drop-in rate will be $57.50 per 30-minute class.
Individual Piano is a drop-off class without caregiver participation. One parent or caregiver may observe from the designated waiting area for the duration of the class and must adhere to all Policies and Procedures to support the focus and learning of both student and teacher.
We have no availability for in-home lessons during this time. Piano Buds in a Pod® offers the option of in-home lessons, provided there is an 88-key piano in the home. For in-home lessons, please email us at pianobudsinapod@gmail.com with your preferred day and time for a weekly class, and we will get back to you with our teacher's availability. Class Size: 1 to 2 students. Introductory class are only offered in-studio only for $55 where you can book a class here. Fee: $100/45-minutes class with a 12-Classes Pass ($1,200)valid for a 15-week period from your start date.
Meet Your Teacher
Alexandra Miñoza
Alexandra Miñoza is a teacher and the founder of Piano Buds in a Pod® NYC, a professional pianist, and a Steinway Teacher & Educational Partner based in New York City. She holds a Master of Music in Advanced Performance (Piano) from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied under Professor Leon McCawley as a Polani Award Scholar. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore on a full scholarship sponsored by Singtel, studying with Professor Albert Tiu, Head of Piano Studies. Alexandra began her formal training at the Philippine High School for the Arts as a government scholar.
Piano Buds in a Pod® NYC, under Alexandra’s direction, was an activity partner at the Central Park Conservancy Playground Partners Annual Family Party in 2024 and 2025, hosted by the Central Park Women’s Committee. Founded in 1983, the Committee is a community of 1,000 women dedicated to raising funds and awareness to help keep Central Park green and beautiful.
Alexandra has extensive experience preparing students for pre-conservatory undergraduate entry, as well as examinations such as Trinity and ABRSM in Singapore and India. She is also trained in early childhood music education, including the Suzuki Piano Method. Alexandra served as a faculty member at KM College of Music & Technology in Chennai, India, founded by A.R. Rahman, where she taught in the Preparatory/Part-time Programme, conducted Keyboard Skills classes for first-year undergraduates, and worked as a piano accompanist. She also contributed to the development of the syllabus and certification for the Piano Examination, from Initial Level through Level 5, compiling an appendix of piano pieces classified by difficulty. In addition, Alexandra coordinated and conducted ensemble performances for Preparatory Programme students aged 3 to 12. She was also a member of the jury panel for the Disney (India) & Bindass Talent Search in Delhi, India. In addition, Alexandra is the owner and private teacher at Primarily Piano India in Chennai, where she teaches students from beginner to advanced pre-conservatory levels. She also organized student concerts, which were featured in local newspapers.
Alexandra’s performance experience spans across multiple cities, including New York, Singapore, London, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Manila, Cebu, Kathmandu, and Malaysia. She performed as a collaborative pianist at Carnegie Hall in 2024-2025. Her notable performances include presenting Chopin’s 24 Preludes Op. 28 at Sofar Sounds in Bangalore, The Listeners' Club in Mumbai, and at KM College of Music and Technology in Chennai. Alexandra was also part of the 118th Philippine Independence Celebration in Kathmandu and Chennai, where she performed 20th-century Filipino works. She has performed at prominent venues such as the Esplanade Concert Hall, Esplanade Recital Studio, and Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore, as well as giving a solo recital at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila. Alexandra made her orchestral debut at the age of nine, performing Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D major, Hob. XVIII/2 with the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by Abbott Laboratories Philippines. Alexandra currently lives in New York City.
Study piano and music theory with Alexandra.
You can view Alexandra’s teaching schedule and book a class.
MEET YOUR TEACHER
Elif Isil Karakas
Elif Isil Karakas is a pianist and teacher at Piano Buds in a Pod® NYC performs at major venues worldwide, touring the U.S., and many countries in Europe as a guest performer. Trained in Russian, Turkish and American piano techniques, she is the laureate of more than 20 international piano competitions. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's at Manhattan School of Music, Karakas remains active as a solo pianist.
With more than 10 years of teaching experience, Karakas has prepared students for exams such as NYSSMA and ABRSM, entrance exams, competitions, and concerts. She has worked with students, ages 4 to adult, helping them advance their piano technique, musicality, and theory as well as gain general music knowledge and culture by approaching music from the classical repertoire. Tailoring lessons to individual goals and interests, Karakas aims to foster a lifelong love of music in her students.
Study piano and music theory with Elif.
You can view Elif's teaching schedule and book a class.