We are so grateful to have Ms. Hardin as our children’s piano teacher. She is a patient, enthusiastic teacher who makes music feel accessible to young students. Her positive demeanor and steady encouragement have helped our children build skills and confidence as young musicians. Ms. Hardin’s high expectations combined with her clear communication and concrete advice helped us establish good practice habits at home that build on the work done in lessons. 

Ms. Hardin sets high goals for her students, but she also teaches them how to manage performance pressure and to adapt when things do not go as planned. When our daughter had a difficult recital, Ms. Hardin helped her take a moment and then replay the piece at the end, turning a frustrating experience into a positive one that emphasized resilience and growth. 

We are so sorry to see Ms. Hardin leave Chicago; we cannot recommend her enough! 

— T. and J. DeOre

Julia has been a pleasure to work with. She has responded flexibly to my goals as a late-life amateur singer, while both encouraging and challenging me step by step to develop abilities I would have thought were beyond me. I will miss her as part of my life!

— B. Barry

Julia is one of the best investments you can make in the pursuit of bringing music into your home. Julia teaches our daughter piano with an immersive approach to form, theory, and most importantly, feeling. She is timely, energetic, flexible and that puts kids (and parents) at ease and eager for lessons. An accomplished musician herself, Julia teaches from a classical repertoire but is willing to let her students venture into modern arrangements as well. We couldn’t be happier with our house filled with Mozart, Bach, Brahms et al. We are so thankful that Emma’s piano and music “awareness” was cultivated by Julia Hardin.

— W. Lane

Julia Hardin epitomizes the classical piano teacher with firm boundaries, clear instruction and a fun spirit that motivates her students to do their best. Her calm and youthful composure sets a fine example for young students as they learn the technical skills of piano playing. She inspires musical and emotional appreciation for the piano with her own expertise and talented repertoire. Ms. Hardin patiently reminds my young pianist [after four years of continued study] proper posture and finger positioning as he learns the basics and progresses to intermediate level. Julia also explains and teaches music theory and respect for the piano. It’s a joy to watch Julia’s students each year perform in their annual recital that reflects the range of her students.

— J. Passamani

Piano Lessons

Beginner to Intermediate

Piano is one of the best starter instruments! I began learning when I was four, and continued through high school with serious study playing competitions and recitals. Now as a piano teacher I love focusing on the beginning student, especially young learners.

My studio philosophy is to challenge students in through technique, note-based learning, building of sight
 reading skills, and music theory while encouraging joy and fun
 in music making. Students work towards memorized pieces for recitals, and start immediately with scales and additional pedagogy in the circle of fifths. Recommended age for starting student is 4+ years. (A good gage: children who can sit still for a task for 20 minutes are usually ready.)

Lessons fees:
30 minutes $30 (Inquire for 45 and 60 minute options)

Voice Lessons

Beginner to Advanced

Voice lessons tailoring the technique and teaching to the student are key. With a BFA in Theater/Voice (University of Kansas), an MM in Vocal Performance (Northwestern University), and engagements with opera companies and orchestras all over the world, I bring a wealth of performance experience with over 20 years of vocal study and over 10 years as an instructor.

Voice students develop a full body experience engaging the voice in our whole self. There’s no one way to sing, and we explore varied approaches to all areas of technique including breath control, support, phonation, range development, diction and more. Students will also learn sight reading skills and performance technique.

Lesson Fees:
30 Minutes: $30 | 60 Minutes: $60