McLelland Piano Studio
Enjoy your music and learning as you develop your talents.
“I just need to tell you how immensely grateful I am for your mastery, knowledge, expert approach, and unbeatable enthusiasm for both music and children, all hidden behind an unassuming and cheerful appearance. I can tell you that to (my child) you are everything—an absolute authority, an inspiration, an example, an ally, a friend. " -- Parent of 2nd grade student "I always knew when I came in, no matter how bad my playing had been, you found something good in what I did, always patient, never hurrying, never critical, only encouraging.” -- Teenage student McLelland holds Bachelor and Master degrees in piano performance and has also pursued extensive post-graduate work in New York City. She has taught students of all ages and levels of advancement in private studios and colleges including William Carey College, Mississippi College, and other institutions such as the Golandsky Piano Institute’s International Summer Symposiums at Williams College and Princeton University in New Jersey. She also coaches concert pianists, organists, university professors, and other professional musicians in The Taubman Approach to piano playing.
Composing is an outlet for her and she recently finished a 12 year project creating a multi-level piano method for pre-college students entitled 88 Keys for Mastering the Piano. A first and only of its kind, the multi-level series introduces important principles of healthy piano technic and the Taubman Approach. Since 1986, Past president of the Birmingham Music Teachers Association, McLelland has been a long-standing member and officer in numerous professional organizations. “Thank you for making piano so much fun for [my sons] and recognizing their efforts. Piano is becoming their “thing” and I know we have you to thank for that.” -- Parent of 3rd grade twins In addition to performing and teaching, McLelland regularly presents workshops and lectures on many topics with a focus on helping pianists learn the important principles of a healthy, coordinate piano technic. Since 1996, McLelland has pursued intensive post-graduate study of the work of the late internationally renowned pedagogue Dorothy Taubman and important principles of a healthy, ergonomic motion at the piano through private lessons in New York City and Atlanta with Edna Golandsky and John Bloomfield. In 2011, she received certification at the instructor level with the Golandsky Piano Institute in 2011 and served as P.A. assistant teacher at the Taubman and Golandsky Summer Symposiums at Williams College and Princeton University..
"The pain and numbness in my hands is completely gone now! I thought there was no hope of ever playing again and I can't thank you enough for giving music back to me. I'm so thankful to be out of pain and I can honestly say that my playing has improved from before my injury. I'm most impressed with the quality of sound now -- it used to be so thin and now it's full and rich and warm. Also, I never would have believed piano playing could feel so easy. I was raised to believe that tension and effort was required but I've learned that, actually, piano playing can feel absolutely delicious and effortless in the body. I highly, highly recommend this approach [Taubman Approach] to all pianists and musicians. You are an amazing teacher!" -- Formerly injured pianist, after retraining in the Taubman Approach at McLelland Piano The "Taubman Approach" to piano playing is "a groundbreaking analysis of the mostly invisible motions that function underneath a virtuoso technique and has helped pianists from all over the world overcome technical limitations, improve tone production and other components of expressive playing, as well as cure playing-related injuries." --- Golandsky Piano Institute “You are so gifted musically and are a true blessing to your students. Your people skills are fantastic, as you are always sincere, caring and are able to appropriately balance the difficult skills of listening and sharing.” [My son is] really enjoying piano lessons. I am glad that we found you! " -- Parent of 6th grade student “I think you are tops with listening, playing, and teaching. You care a lot about what you do and it shows.” "Your Liszt was ravishing … a wonderful variety of tone colors and nuance of interpretation … a good ear for color.” “I just want you to know how much we appreciate the fact that you do these extra competitions for your students. We appreciate the sacrifice you make to work on your day off, to prepare the students, and just the hassle factor that goes in to going the extra mile in challenging these kids. As always, I’m so glad you are our teacher!” “I’m so proud of you! [Your students] sound great and their hands look wonderful. You’re such a good teacher and fine musician, Amy, and that really comes across. Congratulations to you and [your students] too." “I truly appreciate all the kindness and consideration you ALWAYS show. The only way I can show you just how much I appreciate all of your efforts is to be the best student I can be.” -- Adult student |