Master’s Music Academy has a 25-year legacy of developing musicians with elite-level piano lessons. Founded by Ashley Lane, M. Mus., the academy is known for its professional-level approach to adult piano education, offering a fun and effective learning environment that provides community and fulfillment.
Ashley, a past president of the Arizona State Music Teacher’s Association who will be inducted into the Steinway Teaching Artist Hall of Fame this month, began performing professionally at just 15-years-old. With a father who possessed a Mozartian-level musical mind and a mother who was a professor of applied linguistics, Ashley grew up immersed in both music and rigorous study, which has informed her teaching approach and allowed her to develop her one-of-a-kind WholeMusic™ curriculum.
Ashley was inspired to start her adults-only training program after recognizing the gap in the market for successful adults who wanted to learn piano at a high level. She was approached by a corporate professional who wanted to be able to perform piano by the time he retired in ten years. He went on to become a longtime student, training with her until he passed 16 years later.
Students at Master’s Music Academy are matched into one of four cohorts based on their skill level, musical background, and stage of life. The small groups not only learn during their own lessons, but also attend group lessons, sit in on each other’s sessions, share performance videos, and celebrate their progress at an annual gala.
“Collaborating with other students is really important,” Ashley said. “It’s how we train professional musicians, and even though none of my current students want to become professionals, they’re intelligent, successful people who want the most impact for their time and money, so to get the best outcomes I include a social component.”
The onboarding process begins with a questionnaire on the Master’s Music Academy website followed by an in-person interview where Ashley shares the program’s goals and curriculum. If it feels like the right fit, students start with completing one unit, which includes four lessons. With only 24 time slots available each week, Ashley’s able to ensure the program is an elite, interactive experience.
“Students have told me over and over again that they never imagined they could do the things they’re doing musically,” Ashley said. “Many of them seek out training to help maintain their brain health, but they gain so much more. They build a community, learn how to sing, and even learn to understand the algorithms and the formulas behind the musical sounds they’ve been listening to their whole life.”
Additionally, Master’s Music Academy recently completed a studio redesign at its East Mesa location, which features instruction on a century-old Steinway piano, providing students an opportunity to learn on one of the top musical instruments available.
To learn more or inquire about enrollment, visit mastersmusicacademy.com.