Testimonials

With more than 25 years of experience in music lessons and language tutoring, Whitefish Bay Piano Studio provides quality instruction for all ages.

Here is what people are saying:

  • I have been taking adult piano lessons with Sarah for over 10 years. I took advantage of the unique program she designed to learn chords and various styling techniques. I appreciate that she arranges various jazz standards for me to play. Under her direction, I have been enjoying so many different types of music. She is kind but straightforward in her lesson suggestions. I love her adult lesson schedule - one hour twice a month. That gives me time to practice for each lesson. I leave each lesson wanting to practice, get better and continue to enjoy my pieces. ~Marianne
  • Ms. O'Brien is an excellent piano teacher. I have taken lessons from her for 11 years—I am now completing my Senior year of high school. I most appreciate her abundant patience and encouraging spirit. As a gifted teacher, with many years of experience, Ms. O'Brien has taught me a large variety of musical genres. I would recommend her to anyone, of any age! ~ Anna
  • Learning to read music and play the piano as an older adult is a challenge for both the student and the teacher. Sarah O'Brien keeps the lessons fun and interesting as well as teaching the necessary skills. Playing the piano is a wonderful mind exercise as well as a pleasant hobby. Sarah's teaching experience as well as her own beautiful piano practice recommend her as a piano teacher to seek out! ~Louise
  • Sarah is a wonderful piano teacher. Her vast knowledge of chords and all aspects of piano playing enables her to teach with excellence. Being an active pianist herself also helps me, as she understands what I'm going through as I learn a piece of music. She's helped me to be able to play in front of others with confidence. Her patience and willingness to find music that I like to play makes taking lessons from her a pleasure. She really cares.
    ~Bonnie
  • Sarah O'Brien instructed two of my children in piano for about eight years. Both flourished under her outstanding instructional program. Her lessons were well planned, wisely supervised and geared to the instructional needs and interests of her pupils. She maintained a balanced environment in which pupils felt challenged but not pushed. She is patient, enthusiastic and industrious. Throughout the years, I have observed Sarah not only developing musically gifted students, but also helping less talented pupils feel successful and confident. More importantly she has instilled in all of her students a life long love of music. ~Jill
Testimonial written in the paper
  • We have been going to Ms. O'Brien since 2008 and all four of my children have had piano lessons from her. We have been very happy with the quality of instruction and we are thrilled by how much they have learned and grown as musicians." ~Alecia
Sarah O'Brien and her student

"My joy and goal have always been to serve others with my dedication, creativity, versatility, and experience."

~ Sarah

  • We wholeheartedly endorse Sarah O'Brien for anyone who wants to learn the French language. On what we expected to be our only trip to France in 1996, our language skills made buying a bottle of water a personal achievement! We came home with a thirst for more of all things French and engaged Sarah to teach us the language. Over the next 18 years, we had the privilege of travelling to France multiple times and developed truly meaningful relationships with several rural residents who had no English skills. Sarah helped us convert French acquaintances into real friends through her help writing letters of celebration of birthdays, condolence for loss, requests for assistance, Christmas greetings, translating letters we received in return... Our weekend at the table of the matriarch for a traditional Provencal wedding has become the highlight of a long list of life-altering French experiences we would not have had without Sarah's help. Her personality, enthusiasm, and teaching style create a very positive learning environment. She had a well formulated lesson plan for every class, but was always willing to customize according to our preferences. She is knowledgeable, committed, flexible, steady. If you take lessons from her, she will become your friend!
    ~Julie and Jim
  • It has been over seven years that Sarah O'Brien has worked with my daughter. What is beautiful is that she helped her learn all the aspects of playing the piano, but also enabled her to grow a deep love and appreciation for music. Sarah has even encouraged my daughter to write her own music and allowed her to play pop culture favorites to keep her well engaged as a teenager. My daughter now has the gift of playing forever in her life, and we wouldn't have this without Sarah's dedication and persistence to find and teach what is best for her students. I'm sincerely grateful for music in our home. ~Jill
  • Sarah's fortitude and diligence in the manner in which she pursues things are outstanding. Our daughter was tutored by Sarah in both English and French. Sarah has a unique and genuinely personal style. She makes learning a fun experience. Our daughter always commented on how fast the time went by during her lessons. It was my privilege to take piano lessons from Sarah. I found her most competent in subject matter and ability to convey theory and concepts. She is most sincere in all phases of her professional and personal life. Her priorities are well defined with the necessary flexibility. ~Kathryn
  • My three children all take piano lessons with Ms. O'Brien. My oldest is in her 7th year of lessons. I credit this longevity to Ms. O'Brien's teaching style and willingness to involve her students in choosing the music they play. My children enjoy playing the piano and think it is "cool" that they can play classic songs, as well as their favorites that they hear on the radio. I have also appreciated Ms. O' Brien's flexibility with lessons given our hectic schedule! ~Stacey