Shugart Piano Studio

"My daughter started piano lessons with Karen Shugart in sixth grade and continued through high school. This has been an amazing experience for my daughter. Through the years, not only has she developed into a skillful piano player, but she has a love of playing piano for enjoyment, an appreciation for music theory, and sightreading skills. My daughter also gained confidence through performing in recitals and for judges. She also gained a wonderful mentor through her years with Karen. Karen is a fun teacher, but also knows how to encourage her students to practice through incentives. This was especially important to my daughter when she was younger and didn’t always want to practice. Karen also has “group lessons” periodically, giving her students opportunities to perform for each other, while having a musically themed party. Karen is also a member of the Arlington Music Teacher’s Association (AMTA), which gave my daughter many opportunities to perform at UT in Arlington for judges’ comments and honor recitals, annual music theory tests, and participation in National Piano Guild. The highlight of my daughter’s piano experience was her own Senior Piano Recital, which Karen helped her prepare for many months, to perform for family and friends. Karen is organized and always ready for her students’ lessons. She has a large selection of repertoire and gives her students an opportunity to help select the pieces they will learn. She is very supportive of her students and truly loves teaching piano. I highly recommend Karen Shugart as a piano teacher for your son or daughter!"

"Mrs. Shugart is a fantastic private piano teacher with a well organized program that includes an occasional group history/game lesson, a variety of contest opportunities through professional organizations, as well as recitals with and for other students and their families from the studio. Here students learn not only to play piano, but also music theory and how to perform before an audience or a judge."

"Ms. Shugart is truly THE BEST piano teacher of all time. I'm always impressed by her ability to make piano so fun for my kids. She does an excellent job teaching and challenging them, while making it a really pleasant experience. She goes above and beyond to host group classes, which are always a hit, and puts on 2 incredible recitals each year. There are tons of opportunities to compete, as well, but never any pressure if it's not something you want to participate in. Over the years, when we've considered moving to another area, one of our main reasons to stay put is because we LOVE our piano teacher and can't imagine ever trying to replace her. She is a gem and a blessing to our community!"

"What an experience. Mrs. Shugart is a fabulous piano teacher. The thought and planning she puts into her time with her students is invaluable. Each student is treated as if they are the only one she has. My granddaughter and I both take lessons from her. I love how she has high expectations for us but her kindness and encouragement makes you want to aspire to those expectations. Thanks Karen for bringing musical joy to our lives."

"Highly recommended. My daughter started piano lessons with Karen when she was 3. Karen took the challenge and 2 years later we are still going strong. She's so great that I have started taking lessons with her as well. Karen's lessons are tailored to individual needs. Her lessons are fun and engaging. My daughter has participated in several AMTA events throughout the year and I always felt she was well prepared going in. Thanks to Karen. She's truely a great teacher that both kids and adults will love and enjoy to learn from."