Private Music Lessons in Federal Way, WA

Welcome to Studio Sauvage! Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile and I hope that we have an opportunity to make music together! I hold both a bachelor’s degree in violin performance and a master’s in Kodaly pedagogy (music education) and I have been teaching for over ten years in a variety of different settings ranging from private lessons and university musicianship tutoring to choirs and string orchestras. I have worked with students with a variety of special needs and have extensive experience specifically with dyslexic students ranging from grade school through college. When a student comes to me, I tailor lessons to their interests and abilities and I aim to make lessons fun and engaging, while also appropriately challenging. It is my greatest joy as a teacher to help my students succeed and meet their musical goals and I strive to give my students tools and skills so they can play any music they wish independently. The most rewarding thing for me as a teacher is to see the student's eyes light up when the master a concept and to celebrate those accomplishments with them. Currently, I run a private studio centrally located on Mercer Island as well as remotely through FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom. I also teach through Bellevue College (high school students and adults can take violin lessons for college credit).

I maintain a flexibility of approach, patience, and wide range of experiences so that each lesson best fits your evolving learning style, pace, interests, and goals. Lessons available in Seattle (University District) and Issaquah (near Gilman Village). I find joy in adapting lessons to each student's unique and ever-changing progress through music learning -- whether piano, trumpet, or theory.

I’ve been teaching piano lessons since 2015, and I work with students of all ages and experience levels—from beginners to advanced players preparing for college auditions and competitions. My students have been accepted to top music programs like Eastman and NYU, performed at Essentially Ellington, and regularly place in their schools’ top jazz bands. What makes my teaching stand out is the combination of deep musical experience and a strong sense of community. I studied with jazz legends Jim Knapp, Dawn Clement, and Jovino Santos Neto, and now lead the Jim Knapp Orchestra. In addition to piano, I teach jazz theory, improvisation, and big band arranging. I’m passionate about helping each student find their voice. I host regular recitals, attend my students’ performances, and run monthly themed “piano hangs” at my home—giving students the chance to play and connect with others in a creative, supportive environment. Whether you’re just getting started or aiming for the next level, I’ll meet you where you are and help you grow with patience, insight, and real-world experience.

Hi, I'm Lana the founder of Lana Gaudio School of Music, a PlayLoveLearn academy. I founded my company on one simple idea - I want to provide piano students with top-level piano instruction in the comfort of your own home. I have been teaching piano for over three decades, and I have been taught by some of the top names in the field, from Sir Wladimir Jan Kockanski to Dr Richard Reber and Dr Celia Georing. My school is currently 10 teachers strong, and every single one of my instructors are similarly talented and certified to teach piano, regardless of your current skill level or age. The first lesson is always FREE. Reach out today, and get started learning the piano in the comfort of your own home!