Lessons Offered
Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
About Me
Making music is something each of us can do! Most of us sang (and danced) when we were children and never worried about what other people thought or whether or not we were "good".
Piano is a great place to start; it's like having an entire orchestra under your hands! Even if you're aiming for another instrument (including voice), studying piano will help you understand music and give you a great foundation.
I have played professionally for 45+ years and taught privately for 35+ years. Students have ranged from age 6 to age 98 and have been players at all levels. Lessons are designed with the individual student's interests and level in mind -- no cookie-cutter approach! I believe in being attentive and listening closely to what the student has to say, being patient, and being kind and encouraging.
The student studies technique, theory, and repertoire. If the student is interested, we also study improvisation and how to read chord symbols. Emphasis is placed on how to approach new material and how to practice.
Playing music is like nothing else on earth -- come and learn!
My Musical Education Background
Private studies
Ongoing education through journals, books, magazines, CDs
Genres and Subjects Taught
Fundamentals of music
Theory
Technique
Ear Training
Sight Reading
Improvisation
Scales and chords
Jazz
Classical
Popular
Lesson Rates
Please contact me to discuss rates and terms of payment
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Ages 7 and up
My Certifications and Awards
Harrisburg Magazine "Simply the Best Musician", 2 years
Harrisburg Magazine "Readers' Choice Musician", 6 years
Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Hall of Fame
My Musical Influences
Sonny Clark
Frank Kimbrough
Bud Powell
Chris Anderson
Wayne Shorter
Miles Davis
Bill Evans
Service Area
Student Reviews
Lora C
Harrisburg, PA
An awesome teacher. As I sit here and watch my son Paul Bratcher play his Doctoral recital at George Mason University. I owe it all to Ms. Katie. Thank you.
Ed B
Harrisburg, PA
Katie is a patient, encouraging and accomplished teacher who has been just the right fit for this old man trying to recapture skills after over 50 years and has realized that playing the piano is not like riding a bicycle. Starting from scratch and enjoying every lesson. That she puts up with me is a g-dsend. Thanks...
John M
Harrisburg, PA
Katie teaches my 9 year old daughter and she just adores Katie and loves going to her weekly lesson. Katie is making my daughters introduction to music fun and exciting and I am thankful I found her. The fact that she is a wonderful musician in her own right that we get to see playing around town is just a bonus.
Colleen
Harrisburg, PA
You would have to dig pretty deep to find a better musician around than Katie. Not only does she know the instrument, she wants you to know it too. She will tailor her methods of teaching it to you that best fit with your personality and learning style. Even if you don't love scales and exercises, she has a way of making you WANT to do them - because she can break it down exactly why and how it will make you a better player.
Dave S
Harrisburg, PA
Katie Rudolph is the consummate professional. She is very generous with what she knows about her craft. I thought that I knew a lot about piano until I met her. Another quality I admire about her is that she is a perpetual student herself. She's incredibly smart, amazingly well-read, and has a fantastic sense of humor. Lessons are a joy! I've played with musicians my entire adult life from all over this country, and I consider Katie to be a musician's musician.
Brandon K
Harrisburg, PA
Katie is by far the BEST choice we made when entering our son into piano lessons. He has studied under her for 3 years now and has flourished under her program and teaching style. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in learning piano!!!
Tim L
Harrisburg, PA
As wonderfully accomplished and gifted a jazz pianist as Katie Rudolph is, she is also, without question, just as accomplished and exceptional a teacher. Like the best teachers, Katie imposes high expectations and challenges, motivates and inspires her students. And all of that with a good dose of wit and what is seemingly interminable patience! Tim L.
Charity J
Hershey, PA
I am a classically trained adult pianist, and I took a semester of jazz lessons from Katie Rudolph. Katie is a talented jazz pianist and a patient, thoughtful teacher. She taught broadly, including technique, tone, and expression. We worked through a variety of materials - scales, improv technique, improv creation, and standard tunes. She also lent me a jazz album (or several) each week to expand my listening skills and repertoire. Overall, it was a very productive and enjoyable semester! Posted by Charity Judson