Book a Piano Class Drop-In or Course from September 10 to December 23, 2026.
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com

Explore a selection of “trade-in” piano models from various brands, all available at steeply discounted prices at the Steinway Factory:
1 Steinway Place (19th Avenue & 38th Street, Astoria, NY 11105).
This event on 2/7-2/9 is by appointment only. To schedule, please contact Jennifer Chiaramonte at 856-912-2818 via call or text. Email jchiaramonte@steinway.com
Newspaper feature

Starting September 1, 2025, you will be paying $38.50/45-minutes class if you purchase a course ticket.
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.
2026 Piano Recital: TBA
2025 Piano Recital: The piano recital will take place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 4:15 PM at Steinway Hall, NYC. Guest arrival time is 3:45 PM. Performers will receive a Certificate of Performance from Steinway Hall, presented by Jennifer Chiaramonte, and the event concludes with a group photo. Enroll in the group or individual piano course by January 31, 2025, and remain enrolled through the recital date to participate.
✏️ 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'
5 digital pianos
1 acoustic grand piano
The class capacity is 5 students at maximum. Students attend a 45-minutes class.
Make-up classes (up to 2 classes) for missed Group Piano classes are available until the last day of the course. If you miss your scheduled class, students have the option to transfer their ticket to another class date before the end of the course. Note: Missed make-up classes are non-transferable to another course. To request a ticket transfer, please email pianobudsinapod@gmail.com.
You may either drop off the student or wait in the classroom, following these rules:
Creating a sound-free learning space is our top priority, as students learn to play the piano through attentive listening.
You are welcome to wait inside the classroom; however:
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.
New and returning students may book any classes available on the published term schedule, except for the classes labeled "reserved". 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. 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. 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).
Dear Students and Families, due to the winter storm, Piano Buds in a Pod® studio will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, and we encourage everyone to remain safe and avoid unnecessary travel; as stated in our policy, “Piano Buds in a Pod® is closed when New York City Public Schools close for snow or inclement weather and does not offer make-up classes for weather-related closings,” however, as a one-time exception, students may book a make-up class within the current term, subject to availability. To all enrolled students, please check your email from pianobudsinapod@gmail.com. If you have not seen the email, please check your Spam folder and remove pianobudsinapod@gmail.com from the Spam folder.
No classes are scheduled on the following dates:
Feb 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (Monday to Sunday) - Midwinter Recess
Apr 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Thursday to Friday) - Spring Recess
May 11 (Monday) - Recital, May 11, 2026 4:00-6:00 PM, at Steinway Hall, New York
May 23, 24, 25 (Saturday to Monday) - Memorial Day
No classes are scheduled on the following dates:
Recital enrollment is now closed, as the maximum capacity has been reached. 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. Piano Buds In A Pod Recital, May 11, 2026 Monday 4:00-6:00 PM, at Steinway Hall, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.

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 $40 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.
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
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 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 contact us 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.
Mon, 11:05am - available
Mon, 4:15pm - Summer (enrolled)
Mon, 5:40pm - Shiv (enrolled)
Mon, 6:15pm - Rafa (enrolled)
Tue, 11:05am - Diana (enrolled)
Tue, 11:40am - available
Tue, 4:50pm - Pacey (enrolled)
Tue, 5:25pm - Pacey (enrolled)
Tue, 6:00pm - Eva (enrolled)
Wed, 3:00pm - available (temporarily reserved for Chase)
Wed, 3:35pm - Jesse (enrolled)
Wed, 5:00pm - Vivian (enrolled)
Wed, 5:35pm - Justin (enrolled)
Wed, 6:10pm - Emma (enrolled)
Wed, 6:45pm - Reva (enrolled)
Thu, 2:25pm - Odin (enrolled)
Thu, 3:00pm - Albert (enrolled)
Thu, 5:25pm - Christian (enrolled)
Thu, 6:00pm - Neha (enrolled)
Thu, 6:35pm - George (enrolled)
Fri, 2:40pm - available April 24 is the next class available
Fri, 3:15pm - Clementine & Scarlett (enrolled)
Fri, 3:50pm - Sofia (enrolled)
Fri, 4:25pm - Olivia (enrolled)
Fri, 5:00pm - Eleftheria (enrolled)
Fri, 6:25pm - Milah (enrolled)
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 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 contact us 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.
Books will be provided at the studio on your first class.
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.
5 digital pianos
1 acoustic grand piano
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for letting us know! Make-up classes may be booked 6 days to 24 hours in advance, subject to availability, with at least 24 hours’ written notice and active enrollment. No-shows and missed make-up classes are not eligible for additional make-ups. A maximum of three (3) make-up classes is allowed per term. No refunds, credits, or extensions are provided, including for weather-related closures following NYC Public Schools. This policy is firm and non-negotiable.
To request a make-up class code for a 1-Class ticket, email pianobudsinapod@gmail.com. Misuse of codes will result in cancellation.

To redeem your classes, please follow these steps:
Step 1 - Visit www.pianobuds.com or https://bookwhen.com/pianobudsinapod?tags=BabyBeethoven to book your classes.
Step 2 - Enter your voucher code during the booking process.
Step 3 - 💡 Please note: You won't be able to choose how much you use in one transaction, but if your voucher is more than the booking, you can spend the remaining balance at a later date.
To purchase a gift voucher, please follow these steps:
Step 1 - Add to your 🛒 https://bookwhen.com/pianobudsinapod/vouchers
Step 2 - This is a gift voucher worth $45 to a Baby Beethoven music class. If you bought this as a gift, please forward the email containing the voucher code (PDF file) to the gift recipient along with any additional information.
1751 2nd Avenue, Suite 101, New York, NY 10128, United States of America