Piano lessons tailored to you — not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Every student at Up Scale Music gets a lesson plan built around their goals, their learning style, and the music they actually want to play.
Lessons for everyone — really.
Whether you've never touched a piano or you played as a kid and walked away, there's a place for you here.
All ages welcome
From young beginners developing their first musical skills to adults who've always wanted to learn — Up Scale Music's studio welcomes students at any stage of life.
All levels, all backgrounds
Complete beginner? Advanced player looking to grow? Somewhere in between? Nicki meets you exactly where you are and builds from there.
Tried apps or books and got stuck?
Self-guided learning only goes so far. Working with an experienced teacher adds dimensions you can't get from a screen — feel, rhythm, theory, and real musical conversation.
How lessons are structured
Lesson lengths: 30, 45, or 60 minutes — choose what fits your schedule and goals.
Frequency: Weekly lessons for consistent progress.
Curriculum: Customized to each student — no two lesson plans are identical.
A typical lesson might include: Technique warm-up, repertoire work on a piece you're learning, and a slice of theory, ear training, or improvisation — adjusted to what you need most that week.
Studio location
Up Scale Music's studio is located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.
Can't make it in person?
Virtual lessons are available. Same personalized instruction, from wherever you are.
More than scales. A real musical education.
Nicki draws from a deep curriculum and shapes each student's path based on where they are and where they want to go. Here's what's in the toolkit:
You bring the music you love. Nicki builds the skills to get you there. And always — FUN.
Playing in front of people is part of the program.
Performance opportunities are built into the studio calendar — not as pressure, but as celebration. Sharing music is part of making music.
Each year, Up Scale Music holds two formal recitals where students showcase what they've been working on, followed by a community celebration. These aren't high-stakes auditions — they're joyful events where students of all levels perform, get recognized, and feel proud of their progress.
In addition to the formal recitals, the studio holds two informal peer performances throughout the year. Students play a piece they're working on, listen to each other, and offer encouragement and feedback. It builds community, confidence, and a real sense of what it means to be a musician.
Tuition & fees
Tuition is structured to stay consistent month-to-month, even as the school calendar shifts.
How tuition is calculated
The total number of lesson weeks in the school year is counted, then divided by 10. This gives you a steady monthly payment regardless of how many lessons fall in a given month.
Example: if there are 40 lesson weeks in the year, your monthly tuition is the per-lesson rate × 40 ÷ 10.
Lesson lengths & rates
30, 45, and 60-minute lessons are available. Contact Nicki for current rates.
Annual registration fee
$40 per family, due with August tuition.
Sheet music
Purchased by the student from their preferred music retailer. Nicki provides recommendations. Beginner books typically run $16–$29 and last six months to a year depending on pace.
The studio follows the local school district calendar for closures. The studio remains open on Professional Development days that fall on regular lesson days.
Know someone who'd love lessons?
For every new student you refer who enrolls at Up Scale Music, you'll receive $50 off your next monthly tuition after their first lesson.
There's no limit — refer as many students as you like.
What happens when you sign up
Here's the process from first contact to first lesson:
Reach out — Fill out the contact form or give Nicki a call at 831-334-1215. Tell her a little about yourself or your student.
Nicki responds personally — She'll follow up to talk about your goals, your schedule, and which lesson length makes the most sense.
Enrollment & calendar — You'll receive the studio calendar and policy information so you know exactly what to expect.
First lesson — Nicki gets to know you as a musician, assesses where you are, and starts building your personalized plan.
Ongoing lessons — Your curriculum evolves as you grow. Every lesson is shaped by your progress, your interests, and what you need most.
From students & parents
As an older adult student, I approached learning piano with anxiety. Was I too old to learn? From the first, Nicki put me at ease and taught me the skills to play the music I love. Now I'm playing Debussy's Claire de Lune, Satie's Gnossiennes, and music from The Lord of the Rings. With a teacher like Nicki, it's never too late to follow my dream of making music!
Ms Nicki brings a passion for music, ability to reach a student where they are, and positive encouragement for their growth and understanding to every lesson. Be ready for wonderful peer performances where students are encouraged to do their best on a piece they are working on and provide feedback to others about their efforts, recitals that highlight the students musical ability with community celebration afterwards, and a whole lot of smiles and laughter as Ms. Nicki teaches a subject she thrives at sharing with the world... Music!
Ready to find out if Up Scale Music is right for you?
Reach out — Nicki responds personally to every inquiry.
831-334-1215 · pianonicki88@gmail.com