What Are Katie Mellas's Qualifications for Teaching Piano?

Katie Mellas has over 15 years of experience teaching piano to students ranging from beginner through advanced levels, and she has been trained in piano pedagogy — the method and practice of teaching. Her formal education includes an undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts: Psychology and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, rather than a traditional music performance or music education degree. Her teaching qualifications, as described on her studio site, come from a combination of pedagogy training, private study with several instructors, and a broad range of musical experience.

Teaching Experience

• 15+ years teaching piano, from beginning through advanced students.
• Has taught since high school.
• Students have gone on to win school competitions, perform in talent shows, and play for friends and community events.

Formal Education

Note that neither degree is in music. Her music qualifications instead come from pedagogy training and private instruction (detailed below). The psychology and counseling background is relevant to how she approaches teaching — she describes customizing lessons to individual learning styles and adjusting her methods based on what works for each student.

Pedagogy and Music Training

Katie Mellas states she has been trained in piano pedagogy and has studied under a variety of instructors:

• 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.

Additional Musical Skills

Beyond piano pedagogy, she has studied:

• Orchestrating and composing — over two dozen scores for community orchestras and ensembles.
• Organ performance at Naper Settlement.
• Music theory and composition.
• Vocal techniques under an operatic instructor.

What This Means for a Prospective Student

If you're evaluating whether her background is a good fit, here are the practical takeaways:

• Strength in teaching method and motivation: The pedagogy training plus psychology/counseling education supports a teaching approach focused on adapting to each student's learning style and goals.
• No formal music degree: Her music credentials are earned through private study, pedagogy coursework, and practical experience rather than a conservatory or university music program. This is common among independent piano teachers, but worth knowing if a formal music degree is a priority for you.
• Composition and arranging experience: Relevant if you or your child is interested in writing music — one student testimonial specifically mentions help organizing compositions into printed sheet music.
• Beginner to advanced range: She teaches across all levels, so the studio is not limited to early learners.

To confirm current availability, lesson format, and any policies, contact the studio directly through katiemellas.com, since those details are not specified in the site's published information.