Theory Fundamentals

Each month, in addition to weekly private lessons, students in grades K-12 attend a 60-minute group class on theory fundamentals.  Here we work on the basics of music:  written workbook exercises on note reading and rhythms progressing to Major and minor key signatures and scale building exercises and proper voice leading.  We also cover music terminology, ear training exercises, music history and a special focus on a composer of the month, plus a monthly music game.  Theory classes are a part of our basic program and are included in the semester tuition.

Faculty:

k.wilkinsKay Ellen Wilkins (Co-Owner of the Rochester Conservatory) has been teaching piano at the Conservatory since 1988.  She has been teaching piano professionally since 1984.  Mrs. Wilkins has a BA in Music, Piano Major, from Oakland University.  Mrs. Wilkins is also a certified early-childhood Musikgarten instructor and has been repeatedly recognized for the exemplary Musikgarten program at the Conservatory, one of only 50 programs to receive this National Honor.  She has also worked as a Church Organist and Pianist and Children’s Choir Director, including 12 years at St. Irenaeus Parish in Rochester Hills, MI.  Mrs. Wilkins has performed with numerous local Symphony Orchestras, including the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, the Pontiac-Oakland Symphony and the Warren Symphony Orchestra.  Mrs. Wilkins has performed with the Detroit Festival Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Twice Mrs. Wilkins has gone on a choir performance tour to Italy, helping conduct the choir at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St. John Lateran in Rome, the Sorrento Cathedral, and the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.  Mrs. Wilkins is also in charge of the Michigan Music Festival, which involves over 100 private music teachers and 1000’s of students each year.  In addition to managing the day-to-day activity at the Rochester Conservatory, Mrs. Wilkins really enjoys her roll as piano instructor.  She is happy to be in the studio with her students, and you know she is in the building because of her bubbly personality and infectious laugh!

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Testimonials

  • Bravo to the conservatory for putting together a great show. I was skeptical of how the online recitals would turn out with our daughter singing and then adding the track later, but it was amazing. Thanks for doing what you do and making sure the kids still had a recital.

  • Best kept secret in downtown Rochester! - Sally

  • I wish we had found the Rochester Conservatory sooner! My son has been studying elsewhere for 2 years and we decided to make a change to the Conservatory because we felt he wasn't progressing. He learned more in his initial consultation lesson than he learned in the entire two years with his previous teacher! Thank you Cliff and Kay Ellen Wilkins for providing such a fabulous environment and for your dedication to your students for all of these years! - Margaret

  • My children started in the Musikgarten program when they were 2 years old and we have never left! Both kids are studying two instruments each and having a blast playing together! Our house is filled with music! I am amazed at the high quality of professional teachers at the Rochester Conservatory. Everyone is so dedicated and positive! We will be sad to leave when the kids graduate from high school! - Nancy

  • I have always wanted to play the piano, and now that I am retired I finally have the time! It's awesome!! My teacher is so sweet and very, very patient with this old guy! I really enjoy the lessons and even the performance workshop classes. This year I think I will even play in a recital!! - Mack

  • We have been so happy at the Rochester Conservatory!! Our three children love their teachers and are learning so much so quickly! Whenever our kids play in public we always get asked by other parents about where they study - I proudly tell them all about the Rochester Conservatory! - Allison

  • As we adjust to online lessons because of Covid-19, Camelia has been fantastic as always and brings a lot of joy to our daughter which we are grateful for especially because she misses her friends terribly. - Melissa

  • Thank you for putting on this presentation!! It was very well done. We appreciate all your efforts to make it happen, and the added bonus that we can share with our loved ones.

  • I wanted to let you know how amazing Igor has been for my son. He was in a low spot in his practice and wanted to quit. Igor has brought that love and spark back to him. I can’t say enough good things about him! - Elizabeth