Sensei
Many people have heard the term sensei in the context of martial arts. Your Karate teacher is your sensei. But if we dissect the Japanese kanji (the symbols), we have sen which means ahead or before, and then sei which is life. So sensei is one who has lived before, who is ahead of you in the journey of life. But a deeper connotation would be:
One who has experience, who has been through it already
Your Piano Sensei has the experience and tools necessary to guide you on your journey with studying music. He will be your mentor, your coach, encouraging and supporting you not only to be a better musician, but also learning valuable skills that apply to other parts of your life including:
Discipline Focus Expression Communication Teamwork and much more
My Story
Meet Clinton, Piano Sensei
Having lived in Japan as a child, I feel a strong connection to Japanese people, culture, language, and food! Combine this with my musical upbringing, training, and expertise, and you end up with Piano Sensei!
I’ve been teaching piano for the last 20 years, and I’ve been playing for over 30 years! This isn’t a hobby or something I do on the side, this is my career, my profession, and my passion. My comprehensive background helps me to be effective at helping a variety of people learn music through the piano.
I have a Master’s degree in piano as well as several certifications; I regularly attend and present workshops at local, state, and national music teachers conferences; I’m a judge for various festivals, exams, and contests; and I’m on numerous committees to help shape the future of music education.
All of that is because I love teaching! But students don’t care about my credentials, they just enjoy lessons because I balance the hard work and discipline with light-heartedness, fun, and making music!
Meet our Sensei
Our instructors are here to help guide you in your musical journey!
We all have qualifications and experience, but more importantly, we love music and we love teaching!
Clinton
Molly
Spencer
Krista
Brendan
Jose
amazing instructors
satisfied families
lessons given
notes played!
What People Say About Us . . .
Based on 28 reviews
Jeffrey S.
15:40 18 Oct 23
We started piano lessons in the spring at Piano Sensei with only one of my girls but after a few... weeks, she was enjoying and progressing so much that my older daughter was begging to take lessons as well! Clinton and the instructors are great with kids and understanding when scheduling our reshuffling lessons.read more
Luke K.
18:39 11 Sep 23
Really great people. I can tell that they deeply care down to the smallest detail.
Rich K.
19:02 24 Jul 23
EXCEPTIONAL is the single word that best describes Piano Sensei and its owner, Clinton Pratt. As a... lifelong adult learner of piano, I have studied with 3 other teachers and none of them compare. Clinton's ability to tailor his teaching to the student's interest and attitude generates energy and excitement in learning. And, progress. It's not about teaching a methodology but creating progress for the student.read more
Keegan P.
18:03 12 Jul 23
All of the staff at Piano Sensei have been so welcoming to me. I am an adult learning piano for the... first time and I have felt welcome in this studio since day 1! The first trial lesson is complimentary which is an excellent way to get to know Clinton's approach to structuring lessons. In addition to foundational piano technique, I've been happily learning how to practice my listening, improvisation, and performance skills. Overall, I highly recommend Piano Sensei for your piano learning needs!read more
Jamie R.
17:32 23 May 23
I would recommend Clinton to anyone looking for a piano instructor. He is wonderful with both... younger and older students. He has taught two of my children and they have each flourished under his guidance. Top notch studio.read more
Alexis H.
23:22 22 May 23
My daughter has been with Piano Sensei for a little over a year now. We began her piano journey... with another teacher and school. It was very clinical and lacked communication. She felt like a number shuffling through the door. That is far from the case at Piano Sensei! The owner, Clinton, does a wonderful meet and greet at your first lesson. He gets to know the student and parent before placing the child with the appropriate teacher. My daughter’s teacher consistently communicates strengths and areas of improvement with her and me. Whenever I have a question or concern, any staff member is knowledgeable and supportive. I highly recommend Piano Sensei!read more
Brian K.
12:24 22 May 23
Great experience and teachers!
amy B.
22:11 21 May 23
Piano Sensei has been a great experience for my 12 year old son. The weekly lessons are curtailed... to his musical interests and they move at an appropriate pace (not too fast that he is overwhelmed nor too slow that he loses interest). His teacher, Hyrum, easily relates to him and is encouraging while holding high standards. I also feel that his teacher is a great role model of character and is someone that he looks up to. Each lesson is an opportunity for my son to see someone linking their passion to a career. The studio is very professional -- the communication is great, the lessons start and end on time, and the studio space itself is very inviting. I highly recommend Piano Sensei!read more
Brian R.
15:41 24 Apr 23
Being exposed to Clinton's varied and challenging, hands-on approach to teaching piano has allowed... my music reading and playing skills to improve more quickly than I have experienced with other less organized instructors. In the end, of course, the work you put in determines how much satisfaction you derive from the piano.read more
Jaime S.
22:40 02 Feb 23
My daughter had attended another music school for years. Recently it became clear that she had not... progressed to anywhere near where she should have as a musician. Fast forward, we leave that school and join Piano Sensei a few months ago. The difference is night and day. There is clear measurement of progression. My daughter's teacher is excellent. Clinton, the owner, is there, on site! He's been wonderful in answering questions, helping us get settled in to our lesson routine. My daughter is practicing on her own, showing her own independent interest in the piano without me having to keep reminding her to practice. My only regret is that we didn't find Piano Sensei years ago. I could not recommend higher.read more
Hobbit L.
13:48 29 Jan 23
Excellent, professional teachers and studio. We are really happy with our child’s progress and her... interest in practice is definitely there.read more
MaxGiseMusic
14:14 18 Jul 22
My son really enjoys studying piano with Clinton at Piano Sensei.
P L.
19:16 30 Jun 22
I feel like I got really lucky when I found Clinton as a piano instructor. He’s intelligent kind... and a pleasant person to work with. I am in my 50s and was hesitant thinking that I wouldn’t be able to do it. He’s been very flexible and understanding and somehow able to teach me to play the piano. It has brought a lot of joy to my life. I highly recommend Piano Sensai.read more
Connie W.
18:28 23 Jun 22
Megan
13:28 01 Jul 21
Miranda M.
16:10 24 May 21
As a piano teacher myself, who sought another teacher for my daughter, I highly recommend this... studio. I have seen the utmost professionalism. The teachers show excellence in technique and good teaching practices. Even more importantly, they teach with an eye to motivate and encourage the students. My daughter's teacher, Molly, is so kind and is making her lessons so enjoyable for her, and in the meantime, I look at videos of Clinton, the owner, and more advanced students playing and am truly amazed. My daughter is young, and it's exciting to think where she'll be after years taking there. But regardless of level or the future, I will be so happy to know that she came to love and enjoy music here.read more
Matt K.
22:00 20 Jul 20
This is a great place to learn piano as well as music in general! I came in knowing nothing, but... now (2 years later) enjoy writing & reading music for fun. Each sensei does a good job of encouraging and nourishing whatever your interests are.read more
Amanda Maley O.
19:02 11 Jul 19
Piano Sensei has been a wonderful environment. My child started at 5 and he was reading the music... shortly after. The owner, Clinton, is very responsive and Dai goes out of her way to help the younger children learn in whichever way they best respond to. We've been extremely happy here and can't wait to start our younger child at Piano Sensei when he is 5.read more
Taylor G.
20:28 15 Jan 19
I have been taking lessons through Piano Sensei for close to a year. As an adult who had never... taken a piano lesson before, I feel like I lucked out! From my first lesson, Adam Mayon has been nothing but helpful and encouraging. He is very attentive and great at explaining things on a level I understand. He has helped me attain a level of playing I did not know I was capable of in the short time I have taken lessons! Clinton is also a true professional in how he runs his studio. Scheduling and billing have been a breeze! I would highly recommend these guys!read more
lettie R.
11:53 14 Jan 19
My son has been taking lessons since August 2018 Clinton was very welcoming and patient. Daniel and... Dai are great instructors! Dai has even got my normally shy son comfortable enough to play in public at the winter musicale! I highly recommend Piano Sensei to anyone who has ever wanted to learn to play.read more
Timotheus S.
19:32 13 Jan 19
My parents started giving me piano lesson when I was really young. However at the time I never... truly liked what I was doing and never really practiced for more than 30 minutes before the start of class. While I've always liked the piano itself, I never liked the lessons that I was receiving (going through a conventional lesson book, while effective, was never really for me. Then again I didn't really try it). When I got into high school I eventually begged my mom to let me quit all together, which I did for three years. Oddly enough, I started missing the instrument more and more and after having watched a TV show where the main character was a piano prodigy I decided that I wanted to be able to play like him and reversely begged my mom if I could start lessons again my senior year. This being said, I knew that I didn't want to go back to the way I was learning before, and so I asked one of my, now choir teacher, friends if she knew anyone "cool." Turns out she did. Now, a year and a half later, I am still at Piano Sensei and I love every minute of it. While I could certainly still practice more (you always can) it never feels like a chore and my teacher, Sensei Pratt, finds a perfect balance between helping me learn the necessities (scale, rhythm, etc.) but then also letting me learn songs that I am really excited about and look forward to. While I don't think I'll ever be able to play quite like the fictional piano prodigy that inspired me, I don't think I'll ever be able to stop playing either. In that regard, I am very thankful for everything this place has done for me so far and who knows maybe one day I'll be able to play Liebestraum too.[I know this was very long, but I hope it helps.]read more
Alex S.
11:44 13 Jan 19
Piano Sensei has been a wonderful place to learn piano since I started about five months ago. The... owner, Clinton, and my piano instructor, Daniel, have both been really great and patient with me learning this for the first time. I would highly recommend this place for anyone wanting to pick up piano for the first time or if you are coming back to it after many years .read more
L M.
23:37 07 Aug 18
Mr. Pratt's teaching style is innovative and organized. He is positive and energetic. We appreciate... the variety of playing opportunities the Piano Sensei's studio provides that inspire and challenge our son to continue to practice and excel. We expecially look forward to the "Music Alive!" recital in September that incorporates technology, digital imagery and movement with the music- an amazing experience!read more
Joanne P.
20:51 18 Apr 18
Clinton is an amazing instructor. He understands how to teach fundamentals of piano while at the... same time making it FUN, engaging, and challenging. His program of study has significantly helped my son's self esteem - to where he sees a piano and just sits down to play - because he loves it! The way Clinton has encouraged the students to use mixed media in his Music Alive! program is just so cool. The students thrive and grow and love tackling challenges. These are all skills we want our kids to have when they are adults, right? And, Clinton has found a way to help that growth happen through the piano. We couldn't be more thrilled with the progress our son has made with Clinton as his instructor.read more
Thuy C.
02:09 04 Apr 18
I'm very thankful that we found this studio. The teachers here are incredible. When we first... moved to Ohio, I went through 2 other places before finding this place for my son to continue his piano lessons. The sensei here are truly masters of their instrument (piano). My son and I are so impress with the quality of their teaching and their deep understanding and love of music. My son has been taking lesson here for about 6 months now. Not only has his technical skill improved, but also started to play because he wanted to now 🙂 Thank you Clinton!!! It's so wonderful and inspiring to see people love what they do and are so good at it.read more
Holly L.
11:09 03 Apr 18
My daughter has been studying piano with Clinton for over 7 years now, and we couldn't be happier! ... Clinton's approach is creative, engaging, and develops the whole musician. Opportunities are available for recitals and festivals as well as the annual Music Alive! mixed media recital. Communication is great, and electronic billing is a plus as well. Highly recommend!read more
Christine C.
14:47 17 Mar 18
I have known Clinton for 6+ years and he has been an exemplary piano teacher for both of my sons.... My kids really respond well to his teaching style and calm demeanor, and as a parent, I appreciate his expertise and knowledge as well as his attention to organization and communication. It is evident to me that Clinton really cares about his students and loves what he does, as shown in the immense effort he puts into showcasing his students at his amazing, multi-media Music Alive! show every September.As for the new studio on Eastern, it is in a convenient location with ample parking. Clinton has made the space a welcoming place for me to hang out and enjoy a cup of tea during lessons. Praises all around for the Piano Sensei!read more
Cindy W.
13:30 16 May 17
Our son has been taking lessons with Clinton for 6 years and could not be happier! Clinton is an... amazing instructor and very talented. His laid back approach has really resonated with our son. He's great with all ages. His love for his profession shines through in all interactions. He has my highest recommendation!read more
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2113 Beechmont Ave
Cincinnati OH 45230
Piano Sensei offers piano lessons to students in the Greater Cincinnati Area. We are conveniently located in Mount Washington and are close to Mount Lookout, Hyde Park, East Walnut Hills, Oakley, Mariemont, and Anderson.
We are not far from Northern Kentucky! We serve students in Newport, Covington, and Ft. Thomas.