Fun, low key, piano lessons for 5 year old? (Oakland, Piedmont)
Hello,
My five and a half year old has expressed interest in piano lessons. I'd like to find someone who is gentle and fun. She has no previous experience aside from playing on her own at her grandparents house. We'd love someone who would come to us in Crocker Highlands but also fine to go to them in the Oakland/Piedmont area.
Thank you!
Sep 8, 2025
Parent Replies
Susan Keiter is wonderful for this -- my daughter started taking lessons from her when she was 5 and really loved Susan's approach. She does lessons at her home in Crocker!
susankeitermusic.com
510-444-4142
Not sure if she comes out to Oakland/Piedmont, but we've been doing in-home lessons in Berkeley with Lauren Kallie for my 8 year old and she's been great! "Gentle and fun" is exactly how I'd describe her (and my daughter has learned a lot in less than a year!) You can reach her at: musiclessonslek [at] gmail.com
Hi there. We did "Simply Music" when our children were 6 or 7 and it was great for them. There are a lot of teachers in the Bay Area. It's low-key, gets them playing meaningful songs pretty quickly, and they start composing their own music by ear pretty soon after they have a few simple songs. It's very satisfying for them as it doesn't require reading, etc. As someone who played and studied piano from age 7 through college, I found it to be a much more joyful and creative process for the child than the typical piano lesson picture. Highly recommend.
https://feistyfingersmusic.com/ has been a lovely neighborhood asset for emergent musicians, just across the street from Redwood Heights Elementary school