Due to the winter storm, we are closed Monday, January 26, stay safe & avoid travel.
Due to the winter storm, we are closed Monday, January 26, stay safe & avoid travel.
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.
Book your make-up piano class up to 6 days in advance, subject to availability. Students who are absent from a Group Piano class are permitted to attend another Group Piano Class as a make-up, subject to seat availability. Advance written notice is required to transfer a class within the same course period. Holidays will be accommodated only with prior notification. Eligibility for make-up classes is limited to students with active enrollment in the same term. No more than three (3) make-up classes shall be scheduled per course. No refunds, credits, or extensions will be granted for missed classes. This policy is firm and non-negotiable. To request a make-up class, email pianobudsinapod@gmail.com and request a make-up class code for a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket to use for your make-up session. Misuse of this code is not permitted and will lead to immediate cancellation of the booking.
Book an introductory piano class up to 6 days in advance, subject to availability. Use the discount code ILOVEGROUPPIANO at checkout after adding a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket to your basket. The code is valid for one (1) 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket per booker email. If booking for 2 or more students, use a different email for each student to activate the code. Each student is limited to one (1) introductory class. Misuse of this code is not permitted and will lead to immediate cancellation of the booking.
Books will be provided at the studio on your first class.
5 digital pianos
1 acoustic grand piano
Every student has different goals. Student beginners follow through the lesson units in the method book (Alfred’s Piano Books). Students complete each lesson unit at their own pace. Some want to master one piano piece to proudly share with friends. Others aim to explore a broader range of music and improve their reading skills. Some focus on preparing a select few pieces for performance, such as a recital, while others work toward formal assessments like the ABRSM exams.
Each student follows their own pathway.
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.
You may drop-off the student or wait inside the classroom, however:
Creating a sound-free learning space is our top priority, as students learn to play the piano through attentive listening.
Please read & agree to the Policies and Procedures before booking a class.
You’re welcome to enroll anytime—each student progresses at their own pace. There’s no pressure to move ahead or stay behind; if you need more time on a particular lesson, we’ll take that time. Everyone learns differently, and our group setting allows space for individual growth within a supportive classroom environment.
Recital enrollment is now closed, as the maximum capacity has been reached. Piano Buds In A Pod Recital, May 11, 2026 4:00-6:00 PM, at Steinway Hall, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. 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.
Congratulations to our students on their outstanding achievements in the The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Piano Performance Grade Exam! 🏆
Claire Downes, Initial Grade (Merit)
Pacey Aaron Cohen, Initial Grade (Merit)
Anthony Nguyen, Initial Grade (Distinction)
Xin Wang, Initial Grade (Distinction)
Neha Singh, Initial Grade (Distinction)
Shiv Dubey, Initial Grade (Distinction)
Pass 100 | Merit 120 | Distinction 130 of 150
What happens in a Group Piano class?
🎵 Select a digital piano. Each student will have a turn receiving 1-on-1 instruction on the acoustic grand piano with the teacher.
✏️ Learn or review finger numbers and notes on the grand staff.
🎹 Play a 1-octave C-major scale.
📕 Open your books to page ___.
👋 Find your finger position.
🌈 Find C–D–E–F–G–A–B on the white keys.
🎧 Wear headphones while practicing a piece from Alfred’s or ABRSM Initial–Grade 5 books.
🎭 Learn about the roles of the artist and the audience.
🏅 Perform in class on the acoustic grand piano.
⭐ Introduce yourself and your piece, perform, and take a bow.
🤖 Sight-read Beethoven’s Symphony “Choral.”
📝 Complete the written Music Theory workbook.
The class capacity is 5 students at maximum. Students attend a 45-minutes class.
Please read and agree to the Policies before booking a class. Please note that all refund requests must be made in writing to the studio administration within the specified timeframes outlined in this policy. Refunds will be processed within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 15 working days of the request being received to your original payment method. To do so, please send an email to pianobudsinapod@gmail.com requesting a refund.
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 and received the Polani Award Scholarship. 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.
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.
Students are required to purchase the books recommended by their teacher. For new students, books will be provided at the studio during the first class while the teacher determines which method book is most appropriate for their learning needs. If your book has not arrived before your first class, or if you forget to bring it, copies will be available at the studio for in-class use. View the selection of required books here.
There are several payment options for Group Piano classes:
After June 21, 2026, you will be paying $39.50/45-minutes with a Full Course Enrollment Ticket, and $55/45-minutes with a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket.
The Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
Exam Dates
Digital Performance Grades are available on demand. There are no booking periods and exam sessions. Instead, you can book, pay and submit the exam video when you are ready. You can submit the video when you book or at any time during the following 28 days. Book an exam
Exam Fees
£46.00 Initial Performance Grade
£50.00 Performance Grade 1
£58.00 Performance Grade 2
£66.00 Performance Grade 3
1. A continuous video recording with:
- an announcement of your name, instrument, grade and pieces/songs
- the opening of your own-choice piece/song – shown to the camera
- photo identification for Grade 6, 7 and 8 – shown to the camera
- a continuous, unedited performance of your four pieces/songs
2. An online program form and declaration:
- completed during the upload process by the candidate or responsible adult (if the candidate is under 18)
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