Michael Guida, DMA

Piano, Theory

My name is Dr. Michael Guida, and I'm an award winning concert pianist and experienced piano instructor. I completed my Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin, and I've recently relocated here in Paradise Valley, Arizona, where I'm currently establishing my piano studio. In Austin, I performed concerts regularly and also worked for the University as a Teachers Assistant. As a TA, I taught collegiate level group piano courses, and many hundreds of private lessons to a full schedule of students. There, I was highly trained to teach a wide variety of students ranging from complete beginners to wonderfully accomplished pianists. Currently, I am happy to offer lessons to the entire spectrum of students (all ages and all levels). I am also extremely confident in preparing students for college auditions, as I am very familiar with what professors at prestigious conservatories and universities are looking for.

No matter the level of the student, my goal is for the student to conceptually understand musical style and to incorporate all of the passion necessary to play the repertoire to its fullest potential. I see it as my duty to share with the student that every note matters far beyond just playing it accurately, and that there is always a deeper meaning behind the ink written on the page.

As a current board member of the PMTA, I and all of my students have access to all of the wonderful opportunities that PMTA has to offer, including competitions, festivals, and Music at the Mall, to name a few. I encourage all of my students to get involved as much as possible.

Testimonials

From Michael M.

"You can stop looking for a Piano Instructor. You have found him. Lessons with Michael is nothing less than a highly rewarding experience. As a pianist, he is more than talented, capable, and dedicated. He is highly degreed, a national & international competition winner, and steeped in accolade. He performs with a depth of intensity, scope, and range that is unparalleled. He has demonstrated ability to have you become the pianist you want to be. All you have to do is listen to him and practice what he shows you. Being a Piano Teacher is his first and best destiny. He is well experienced, patient, and kind with anyone at any age. When I first began lessons with him, I could not tell a grand staff from a C note. Finding Middle “C” and why some of the keys on the piano were black were concepts in a galaxy far, far, away. He took me from diapers to Chopin, and he did that in 8 months. There was at least one take-away in every single lesson I ever had with him. I am not related to Michael, never knew him before starting lessons with him, and he did not offer to compensate me in any way for this review- I wouldn’t have accepted such anyway. As a Piano Teacher, enough praise cannot be showered upon him. It was a sad day for all his students when he moved to another state to pursue his Doctorate of Musical Arts. His equal cannot be found. Indeed, I couldn’t find a teacher even so much as close to his caliber and ultimately gave up looking for another one. I sincerely miss him. You are making a mistake if you don’t start lessons with him ASAP, and take them for as long and as often as possible; daily would be ideal."