St. Augustine Piano Academy
Piano Lessons in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Jacksonville, and Palm Coast, Florida.
News!
NEW!! St. Augustine Piano Academy is the WINNER of the 2024 Music Studio Startup Grant Competition. More info here: https://www.musicstudiostartup.com/grant/
Merit-based scholarships available for 2024-2025 school year! Ask about audition information and materials for scholarship consideration.
The 2024 Winter Recital is on December 22nd, 2024, held at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 2:30 pm! Let’s celebrate our students’ hard work and accomplishments – see below!
Our Priority
At the St. Augustine Piano Academy (SAPA), students will develop creative skills and technical knowledge for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Your student’s musical growth is nurtured through innovative, discovery-based, and personalized instruction.
SAPA’s solo piano and group piano curriculum is grounded in the latest pedagogical methods, utilizing research published by our faculty, Dr. Mimi Zhang and Dr. David Mach, alongside the research of other experts in the field. Studies shows that studying the piano fosters community bonds, self-confidence, patience, critical thinking, and creates lifelong learners.
Our faculty, Dr. Mimi Zhang and Dr. David Mach have over 20 years of combined experience teaching students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Our Students
“With music, one’s whole future life is brightened. This is such a treasure in life that it helps us over many troubles and difficulties.
Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life.”
-Zoltan Kodály
Why St. Augustine Piano Academy?
National Presence
Our faculty have shared their expertise and performances nationally and internationally, presenting at conferences across the country and performing on stages across the world. At St. Augustine Piano Academy, we are committed to elevating our students to the international stage, providing them with global knowledge, networks, and expertise to thrive in the world of music.
Passion for Teaching
As former university faculty, we have seen the transformative power of music through all stages of life. We developed our interactive approach to teaching to emphasize community engagement, personal growth, and a lifelong love of music. It is our goal for our students to achieve both musical autonomy and a fulfilling life, enriched by music.
Recognized Scholars
Both Dr. Zhang and Dr. Mach have been published in national music and piano pedagogy journals. Their research and insights contribute to the advancement of piano education, ensuring our teaching methods are grounded in the latest pedagogical research. Read about our current research here.
Expert Faculty
Our faculty members, Dr. Mimi Zhang and Dr. David Mach, each hold doctorates in piano performance and pedagogy. With six music degrees between them, they bring specialized knowledge and experience to our academy.
From our students
“Mimi is such an amazing instructor and I feel like my piano skills have improved so much from being in her class! She has taught me so much and has really helped me improve technically as a pianist.””
Group piano Student, 2020
“I had a great time in Mimi’s class and I have definitely learned a lot from you. Thank you for always being so kind and understanding. You’re an amazing teacher and pianist!!!”
Group Piano Student, 2021
“Mimi is one of my favorite professors I’ve had! She is very kind, very knowledgable about information presented in class, created a fun/stress free environment in class, and gave plenty of helpful assignments to help students understand the lessons”
Music AUral Theory Student, 2023
“David is a great piano teacher who is passionate, skilled, patient, and encouraging! Both my boys (7 and 12 years old) have enjoyed every lesson with him, and we feel very lucky to have him as our teacher! He knows a lot of different techniques & tricks to improve my boys’ skills and always tailors to each boy’s specific needs. With his help, my 12-year old is able to play advanced pieces much more easily and beautifully, and my 7-year old is establishing good practice habits and making steady progress as well. Thank you, David!”
Private student, 2020
David is a fantastic teacher! I have been taking lessons from him for about 6 months and am amazed at how much I have learned. He is incredibly gifted, and I would highly recommend him as a teacher!
Private Student, 2023
A message from our instructors:
Welcome to SAPA!
Hello, we are so glad you are here! We are Dr. Mimi Zhang and Dr. David Mach. As a duo in music and life, we enjoy an active schedule of performing, presenting, and collaborating nationally and internationally. Known as the “Echo Piano Duo,” we know first hand the unifying power of piano music and collaboration. We are dedicated to bringing the joy of piano to the St. Augustine community, nurturing students of all ages and abilities. Through our program, we aim to foster hobbyists and cultivate competitive pianists, creating a vibrant musical environment where all are welcome.
What we offer
Private Lessons
Comprehensive solo program
- Ages 4+
- One-on-one, in person session
- Held on a weekly basis
- Semesterly (fall and spring)
- Explore pop, classical, jazz, video game music, and more!
- Suited for beginners, hobbyists, and competitive players
- All students receive complimentary piano starter pack
- See rates
Group Piano Lessons*
An exciting and vibrant group piano class designed for 2 – 4 students
- Best value!
- Learn together and make lifelong friends!
- Partner games, piano duets, ear training, recreational music making, and more…
- Weekly class time dependent on enrollment and availability
- All students receive complimentary piano starter pack
- See rates
*availability dependent on enrollment
Travel Lessons
In the comfort of your own home
- One-on-one, in person session
- Held on a weekly basis
- Semesterly (fall and spring)
- Travel fee applies
- All students receive complimentary piano starter pack
- See rates