Private Music Lessons in Upper Manhattan, NY

Hello! I am Sonya Belaya, a pianist, singer, improviser, and composer. I am first generation Russian-American. I completed my studies at the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. I have toured as a keyboardist and singer with Half Waif, have performed on Broadway in the Sufjan Stevens “Illinoise” musical, and am a frequent collaborator to many musical communities in NYC. As a teacher, I’ve worked with students as young as 3 years old and as old as 75 years old! In my 15+ years of teaching, I have decided on the following guidelines. You have the right to expect an excellent standard of teaching from me, including artistic example, responsibility, punctuality, patience, and positive energy. My goal as a teacher is to create an environment in which students can achieve artistic excellence, while developing positive habits and a genuine, life-long appreciation for music. I also focus on body awareness while playing the piano and singing. It is my passion to empower students to find creativity and ownership in music, regardless of experience. In my lessons, I incorporate elements of playing, listening assignments, music theory, composition, and technique in order to develop a well-rounded musician. I also try to ensure that the student is enjoying the process and is creating regular practice habits. Setting these guidelines allows me to do my job as educator and to maintain regularity in my schedule. I customize lessons to complement each individual student’s interests, ability and unique potential. I offer weekly piano lessons in 30, 45, and 60-minute increments. I am available to teach at your home, but will charge an additional transportation fee, depending on your location. I recommend that all beginner students will begin with bi-weekly 30-minute lessons. For intermediate students, I recommend 45 minutes, and one-hour lessons for advanced students. I am located in Brooklyn, and travel to Brooklyn and Manhattan only. Students are welcome to travel to my home in Sunset Park for lessons as well.

35 years of experience - Private and Professional Music Studio in Manhattan. You may think it's too hard.... but in fact it's simply about unlocking the music you already feel inside. I'm here to be patient and help! Unlocking the music most people already feel and hear inside of themselves... then being able to see them play with that inspiration on their own.

We are a group of classical musicians committed to building a vibrant, inclusive community of music lovers. We empower emerging artists, present classical music in creative and engaging ways, and connect people through meaningful performance and education. We offer lessons, concerts, collaborations, and outreach. We like to bend boundaries and think big, always rooted in excellence, integrity, and kindness.

Whether you're looking for a fun and engaging first teacher for your child, an experienced instructor for a talented young pianist, or you're an adult beginner (or returning player) ready to dive into lessons, I'm here to help! My teaching is guided by the idea that students learn best when they feel supported, challenged, and understood. Every lesson is designed to nurture solid technique while weaving in music theory and a touch of history, and will be shaped around the goals of the student. A structured practice plan is provided after each lesson. Lessons take place on a beautiful grand piano in our studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. All students are encouraged to perform in studio recitals as a way to celebrate progress and gain confidence. As a Steinway & Sons Educational Partner and a teacher with New York Piano Teacher Congress (NYPTC), I also connect students with masterclasses, workshops, and competitions when they’re ready for more. For families interested in Mandarin, bilingual instruction is offered as a great opportunity to pair piano lessons with Mandarin exposure to enrich your child’s learning in a meaningful way. I have held piano faculty positions at New York University, Champaign School of Music, and Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM). Besides these positions, I enjoy running my own private studio in NYC. Upper, where I teach all ages and levels. I hold a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music as well as a certificate in piano performance and pedagogy from NYU.