Group Piano Lessons in New York—Kids after-school & Adults

Fall Term 2025

• Duration: September 4 to December 20, 2025 with prorated pricing discount for each past date & class cancellation by the studio.
• Booking: Open
• Class Size: 1 to 5 students 
• Facility: 1 acoustic grand piano and 5 digital pianos.
• No Classes:
  • October 13, 2025 (Monday) - Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples' Day, schools closed
  • November 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) - Thanksgiving Recess, schools closed
• Fees: There are a few options to pay for the classes: pay per class "1-class/drop-in ticket" ($50/class); or pay per term "course ticket" ($38.50/class).
• Taught by: Alexandra & Elif
• Location: 1751 2nd Avenue, Suite 101, New York, New York 10128, United States
• Class Schedule for Group Piano for Kids Ages 5+ and 8+:
  • Monday 3:25pm, 4:50pm
  • Tuesday 4:00pm
  • Wednesday 4:10pm
  • Thursday 4:35pm
  • Saturday 8:25am
• Class Schedule for Group Piano for Adults:
  • Monday 6:50pm, 7:40pm
  • Wednesday  7:20pm, 8:10pm

5 digital pianos

1 acoustic grand piano

Every student has different goals. 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:

1. The green area rug with animals is reserved for students only. Accompanying persons are asked to remain in the designated area, seated on the bench or on the small area rug by the door entrance. In our group setting, where multiple students take turns at the grand piano, all accompanying persons are required to remain outside the students’ peripheral view to support focus during class.
2. Silence is required at all times. Accompanying persons waiting inside must remain quiet for the entire class. If noise continues, you may be asked to step outside. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
3. No strollers are allowed inside the classroom:
   • At the concierge desk, ask for Piano Bud’s designated stroller parking space.
   • The concierge will direct you to the stroller parking space at the concierge desk or the community hall, where there are security cameras at the entry doors, on the same level.
   • Take your valuables with you.
   • Take the elevator to Floor 1, at Suite 101, and attend the class.

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.

At the end of each class, students also have the opportunity to perform for one another. It’s a fun and encouraging way to build confidence and celebrate each other’s progress.

2026 Piano Recital

The 2026 Piano Recital will be held between April and May 2026, with the exact date to be announced by the end of November 2025. Participation is optional and open to students enrolled in the Winter Term 2026. A recital fee of $45 per student is required.

2025 Piano Recital

The 2025 Piano Recital took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 4:15 PM at Steinway Hall in New York City. Guests were welcomed at 3:45 PM. Performers received a Certificate of Performance presented by Jennifer Chiaramonte, and the event concluded with a group photo. Students who were enrolled by January 31, 2025, and remained active through the recital date were eligible to participate. A recital fee of $45 per student applied.

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

Use the discount code ILOVEGROUPPIANO at checkout after adding a ‘1-class/drop-in ticket' to your basket. The code is valid for a ‘1-class/drop-in ticket’ per single 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. 

Books will be provided at the studio on your first class.

The class capacity is 5 students at maximum. Students attend a 45-minutes class.

Students must purchase the required books after attending an introductory class.

Notify us in advance to transfer your class booking to another Group Piano class within the course period. Holidays are accommodated, so please inform us if you will miss a class. Up to 2 make-up classes may be scheduled before the course end date, subject to seat availability. To rebook, email pianobudsinapod@gmail.com and request a “full-discount code” for a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket to use for your make-up session.

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.

✏️ Learn or review finger numbers/notes on the grand staff, 🎹 play a 1-octave C-major scale on the mini pianos, 🎵 select a digital piano, 📕 open your books to page ___, 👋 find your finger position, 🌈 play on black keys or white keys CDEFGAB, 🎧 wear headphones while you practice a piece from Alfred’s Books or ABRSM Initial to Gr. 1-5 books, 🎭 learn about the roles of the artist & the audience,🏅 perform in class on the grand piano ⭐ take a bow 🤖 sight-read Beethoven Symphony 'Choral'

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.