I am pleased to offer piano lessons at my home studio in Pacifica. My lessons are classically-based, emphasizing a strong grounding in technique and incorporating improvisation and detailed score analysis as well. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I bring the versatile perspective of a contemporary performing musician to my music pedagogy and aim to encourage each student’s distinct musical voice. I have a tight-knit, warm group of students that gather 3 times a year to play for each other, with optional additional masterclasses.

I have taught and coached students who have gone on to top schools, including Yale, Juilliard, University of Michigan and others.

Prospective students can contact me to schedule a trial lesson. I am currently accepting intermediate and advanced students.

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What students are saying:

  • Anne is a terrific teacher: I've been studying with her for 7 years, and have 10 years of experience with other teachers. She is very supportive of learning and progress, but not pushy. She is very knowledgeable about technique, harmony, and repertoire. She pays attention in sensible, pragmatic ways to the mechanics of playing, and to musical expression. She herself is a very talented performer, giving multiple concerts in the Bay Area and beyond each year. My understanding of and appreciation for the music has deepened, and my practice and learning methods have improved while studying with her."

    Jeff M.

  • "Anne is a truly wonderful teacher. I would recommend her to students of any level, and especially for those who are inclined to take their musical efforts seriously. I had been struggling to get better on my own for a while before I started studying with Anne. She has helped me accelerate my progress, tackle more ambitious pieces, and think in new ways about how to practice effectively. I've studied with quite a few teachers over the decades, and I can say with great confidence that Anne is the one whose help and support I value the most. You should definitely consider taking lessons with her."

    Scott F.

  • "Anne is an amazing piano teacher and I highly recommend her. She is affable, patient, and explains things clearly. She has helped me improve my piano skills both in terms of technical help and playing with emotional attunement. She is easy to be with and helps reduce anxiety if you decide to perform."

    Daryn S.

  • "I have been studying with Anne Rainwater for nearly 3 years. She has helped me improve my piano playing in both fun and thoughtful ways. Using different means to understand and connect to the pieces we learn, Anne has brought much into music that I had not experienced before. During lessons we explore the known and even the unanswerable questions that music raises. She uses each students’ interests to help them understand better the beauty of music and how each student can create and develop their own creativity and imagination around the pieces they are to perform."

    Nemo, age 15

Group of eight people standing in a living room, smiling at the camera. The group includes men, women, and children, with a bookshelf and guitar in the background.

A select group of students from a recent “Piano Gathering.” All smiles after sharing their music with one another!

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PACIFICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE