How Katie Mellas Customizes Piano Lessons for Different Learning Styles

Katie Mellas Piano Studio builds its lessons around each student's individual learning style, needs, and goals rather than following one fixed method. According to the studio's own description, the teacher uses creative techniques to keep lessons fun and adjusts her approach based on how each student learns, with the stated aim of instilling a love of music. This makes the studio a fit for beginners through advanced students who want a personalized pace—not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

The customization approach

The studio describes several connected practices:

• Learning-style-based teaching. Lessons are customized to fit individual learning styles instead of a single standard sequence.
• Fun and creativity as motivators. The stated goal is that "music is fun and enjoyable," so creative techniques are used to motivate and inspire students.
• Student-specific goals. Teaching is shaped around "the specific needs and goals of each student," which means the content of lessons can differ from one student to the next.
• Ongoing self-evaluation. One core principle is that the teacher evaluates her own techniques and methods and adjusts them to stay effective and help students succeed.

In practice, this means a student who loves composing might spend lesson time organizing and notating original music, while another student working toward a school competition might focus on performance preparation. The studio reports that this approach has helped many students win school competitions, play for friends and community, and perform in talent shows.

What this looks like for a student

The customization shows up in concrete ways. Student Hannah describes writing music and getting help to "organize my compositions and turn them into some songs and even print them out on my own sheet music." Student Lilliana describes being taught "so many great things" in a positive experience. These examples suggest lessons can bend toward composition and creativity, not just repertoire.

For a prospective student, the practical takeaway is that you would likely discuss your goals and how you learn best before or during early lessons, and the teacher would adapt technique and materials accordingly.

Who teaches the lessons

The studio's qualifications page states that the instructor has been teaching beginning through advanced students for over 15 years and has been trained in piano pedagogy—the method and practice of teaching. Her background includes:

• An undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts: Psychology and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Teaching experience since high school
• Orchestrating/composing over two dozen scores for community orchestras and ensembles
• Organ performance at Naper Settlement
• Study of music theory, composition, and vocal techniques under an operatic instructor
• Pedagogy classes and coaching with Jane Baldridge, B.A. in Music Education, NCTM, Certified Piano Instructor
• Private piano lessons and composition techniques with Scott Mayer, M.A. in Choral Conducting
• Private and group lessons with Donna Shinn, Music Instructor and church pianist
• Private piano and theory lessons with Erin Anders and others

The psychology and counseling background is relevant to the customization claim: it supports an emphasis on understanding how an individual student learns and stays motivated.

Locations and next step

Katie Mellas Piano Studio serves Willowbrook, Downers Grove, and Oak Brook, Illinois. The site provides "Lesson Details" and a contact option for reaching out. If you want to know whether the studio's style fits a specific student—for example, a young beginner who needs playful motivation or an advanced student preparing for competitions—the most direct path is to contact the studio and describe that student's goals and learning style.

The customization model is the main thing to evaluate: it suits students who benefit from a flexible, interest-led approach, and it may be less suited to someone who wants a rigid, standardized curriculum. The studio's own materials do not list pricing or scheduling specifics, so those details would need to come from direct contact.