About Us
Music brings us together—welcome to a community where all ages and families can learn, create, and belong.
Every moment, every class, and every activity is infused with our core beliefs. While the transformative power of music in fostering children's growth, development, and life skills is undeniable (and we could endlessly extol its virtues), our primary focus is on nurturing your child's unique individuality. Our studio environment and interactions are tailored to who they are at this very moment. We share your aspirations for them, striving to help them not just learn, but thrive throughout their lives. We wholeheartedly encourage and praise each student's effort, recognizing that dedication and hard work are the true catalysts for growth and achievement.
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Creativity: Our classes are full of activities that spark imagination, exploration, and learning through play. Every idea and response is welcomed and celebrated, encouraging self-expression for learners of all ages.
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Confidence: Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, our supportive environment helps every learner grow in confidence. Luanne will create a safe space where everyone feels encouraged to take chances, try new things, and celebrate their progress.
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Connection: Mountain Melody is a community that values every student and family. Lifelong friendships and meaningful connections.
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Inspiration: Our engaging lessons and materials inspire learners to explore music beyond the classroom, helping people of all ages develop skills, creativity, and joy that last a lifetime.
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We Teach What We Believe
Luanne Kauppila
Owner, Accredited Kindermusik Educator, Piano Instructor.
Hello, I'm Luanne, and I am passionate about helping students discover their musical potential and the joy of making music. My experience has shaped my unique approach, which focuses on connecting students to music on a deep level. I hold a BA in Piano Performance and have taught students of all ages and levels in private, group, and class settings since 1977. I brought my love of music and children together again in 2003 when I became a Licensed Kindermusik educator, working with newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids up to age 7 in music and movement. I have seen the amazing transformative effect music has had on the children I have taught over the years.
Since 2008, Luanne has dedicated herself to studying the Taubman Technique, a highly regarded approach to piano playing that emphasizes natural, coordinated movements to prevent injury and enhance performance. This method focuses on ergonomic principles and the efficient use of the body's mechanics, allowing pianists to play with greater ease and musical expression.
When I first started teaching in 1977, I relied on traditional methods and books. However, I realized that these methods often fell short in fostering a deep connection to music, as they focused merely on decoding written music and hindered students from becoming independent music thinkers and creators. Similarly, when I taught only private lessons, students often relied heavily on my guidance and felt lost at home. I wanted to create a learning environment where students felt confident and became independent learners. To address this, I incorporated some group learning and creative activities like improvisation, chord play, and rote learning into my lessons.
My search for innovative teaching methods led me to "Music Moves for Piano," based on Edwin E. Gordon's theories. This research-based approach emphasizes audiation, where students develop musical listening, "speaking," and thinking skills before reading and writing music. My students not only learn piano repertoire but also sing, chant rhythms and tonal patterns, move, improvise, compose, arrange, and play by ear, creating an engaging and enjoyable learning experience. I have witnessed amazing understanding and light bulb moments as students' understanding of their music is enhanced by this method of learning. These activities along with games and ensemble play are the perfect fit in a supportive group environment.
I believe that music fosters creativity in children and adults, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and a willingness to try new things. I focus on building confidence and inspiration in my classes, while also nurturing connections among students.
Sarah Kauppila
Piano Instructor
Sarah grew up constantly surrounded by music, and has been dedicated to teaching music for the past five years. She started playing the piano at seven and later mastered the flute and violin, bringing a rich and varied perspective to her teaching. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, which enhances her ability to create a structured and resource-rich learning environment.
As a piano teacher, Sarah combines her technical expertise with a nurturing approach, guiding her students through their musical journey with patience and encouragement. She believes that learning to play the piano can be a transformative experience for children, enhancing their cognitive abilities, creativity, and self-discipline.
