Susan L. Traylor

Piano, Piano Theory | In-Person or Online Instruction

Susan Traylor grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, studying piano privately for 12 years with Mrs. H. C. Henneman. She competed several times in the MMTA State Music Contest, winning three times to perform in the 10-Piano Concert at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. Ms. Traylor initially attended the College of St. Benedict on an academic scholarship, majoring in music. She eventually obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music in 1984 from Arizona State University where she studied piano under Steven DeGroote, winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition in 1977.

She is an active member of the Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA) and Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) having held, and still holding, officer, administrative, and committee co-chair positions for several years. Not only does this active participation benefit her in terms of her professional development, but it benefits her students by way of performance, skill development and scholarship opportunities.

Ms. Traylor has been teaching private piano lessons to children and adults (ages 5 to 93) for over 38 years. Although her roots and passion are firmly planted in classical music, her musical tastes are diverse. She has collaborated with her husband, a singer and songwriter of R&B/Jazz music, producing, performing and recording with him as a studio musician.

Ms. Traylor strives to make the learning process enjoyable, such that the goal of piano mastery does not overshadow the journey in getting there. If the student has a particular interest in a song, be it classical or contemporary, religious, Broadway music or jazz, she will attempt to incorporate that into the lesson, too. She offers her students opportunities to participate in her studio recitals, PMTA music events such as Piano Ensemble, Saturday Recitals, Music at the Mall, ASMTA’s Arizona Study Program (ASP) and other performing events.

If you are a beginning through early advanced student of piano, over the age of 5, looking for a piano teacher who teaches lessons in the traditional one-on-one style, but with a twist of current technology offerings (online lessons if desired, online software and digital device apps music learning tools, digital keyboard workstation and recording) and a dash of current music performance events, call Susan Traylor, B-Sharp Piano Studio, and schedule an introductory lesson.