Piano Studio of Norman Ortiz

Specialties

Serious piano lessons for the serious piano student. Teaching all levels and all styles, Norman Ortiz brings the expertise of a concert pianist to students from ages 4 to 94!

Mr. Ortiz: «My goal is to enable each student to play better than they thought possible.»

Students are not just told what to do in order to improve their pieces, but they are shown «how» to achieve the desired goal or effect.

«The beginning pianistic curriculum must include a vision of potential extending beyond ten years from the start of musical training,» says Ortiz.

Students are given a broad foundation in piano technique to build the skills they will need to progress at the fastest rate possible. The range of scales taught to beginners may not be used in their immediate pieces but they will more easily learn future repertoire because of their grounding this this aspect of playing.

The methodical introduction of more difficult pieces presented in small rote-​learning assignments gives students the opportunity to play pieces that would otherwise be above their level and too difficult to learn by reading the notes. Once learned, the «rote» piece is presented in its original form and the student is surprised and pleased at the accomplishment. This journey gives ability and motivation a boost.

Improvisation and transposition are key components of the lessons. Both of these concepts are crucial to training the ear to guide the hands and to give the performer much needed freedom at the keyboard.

History

Established in 1994.

Mr. Ortiz has been teaching piano since the 1980’s. He opened his studio in Vallejo in 1994. It was a bit rough in the beginning since Mr. Ortiz was an unknown in Vallejo. In a short time however, Mr. Ortiz gained the respect of local teachers and the quality of his students began to be heard. The success of this studio is reflected in the quality of the students who have studied here. Mr. Ortiz’s students regularly perform in monthly recitals sponsored by the Music Teachers’ Association of California. In addition, students of all levels win top honors at local competitions.

Meet the Business Owner

Mr. Ortiz ·.

Business Owner

Early music lessons began in a small town in southern California called Port Hueneme (pronounced «Why-​knee-​me). Though not a hub of musical culture, this town had some very fine musicians.

«I was very lucky to have an exceptionally talented and versatile teacher in my youth. In addition to the piano, my teacher played the organ and harpsichord and he made sure that his students did as well.»

While studying at UCSB and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Mr. Ortiz was surprised to find out that most of the pianists in the degree programs had no experience playing keyboard instruments other than piano.

As the music director and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Vallejo, Mr. Ortiz considers the advantages his early experiences in varied keyboard instruments have given him in contributing to his teaching and other opportunities in his adult life.

Mr. Ortiz has had the honor of performing on world stages in London, Edinborough, Moscow, Zürich, and in the United States.