Ron Palka-Román

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

I am an active and versatile musician and teacher. I earned my Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Queens College in New York City and my Master's Degree in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music.

I love teaching and am excited when students make their own discoveries. Although, I am a classically trained pianist, I am flexible in my approach and enjoy helping students with any style of music.

As a performer, I am the official accompanist for the Coastliners, the showcase ensemble of the North Coast Men’s Chorus. The group has performed extensively in the greater Cleveland area and in international chorus festivals.  I am also a member of the Double Digit Piano Duo with pianist Coren Estrin Mino. Our duo has performed widely in area venues and has been featured on WCLV’s Cleveland Ovations. We have collaborated with the Parma Symphony and made our debut with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra in October of 2018 in a performance of Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals. We will perform with the orchestra a again in April 2022 in the rarely heard 4-hand piano concerto by Carl Czerny.

Other pre-Covid performances include a June 2018 concert at The Bop Stop with classical saxophonist, Javier Oviedo. As an accompanist, I have also performed at Carnegie Hall, Severance Hall and at the Hanna, State and Palace Theaters at Playhouse Square.

I collaborated with cellist Catherine Clyatt Schroth on her debut recording entitled Songs for My Son.

My Musical Education Background

I have a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor's Degree in Performance from Queens College.

My major teachers include acclaimed pianist, instructor and international adjudicator, Philip Kawin and British concert pianist, Clive Lythgoe.

Genres and Subjects Taught

I believe in working with each student to enable them to be their own best teacher.

I have a Classical music background but believe that learning and growth can take place with all kinds of music.

I work with students on technique and theory so that they are familiar with all basic scales, chords and arpeggios.

Lesson Rates

My lesson rates for the of Fall 2024 are: 

$70/hour for lessons at my home studio or via webcam.

If you prefer lessons in your home, I charge an additional travel and convenience fee of $15/visit (witiin a 20 mile radius).

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I teach all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced students. I especially enjoy working with adult beginners and intermediate teens.

My Certifications and Awards

The Tuesday Musical Club of Akron Scholarship 

Queens College Scholarship 

Case Western Reserve University (full academic scholarship)

Lakewood Three Arts Club Award 

Fortnightly Musical Club Award 

Cecilian Club Award

Kiwanis Club Award

National Honor Society

My Musical Influences

The composers who have had the greatest influence on me are Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Debussy. But I also love jazz and blues, Gershwin, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, standards, Broadway and show tunes, Brazilian Samba, and Latin Salsa and Merengue. I love to help my students grow and learn with whatever music most interests them while providing a solid backbone of classical training and technique.

Service Area

John J
Oberlin, OH

Ronald Palka is a highly trained, busy, full-time professional performing pianist and piano instructor. In spite of many activities he is organized, reliable and timely in dealing with his studio of students. While expecting the same from them he is flexible and collaborative. Mr. Palka is a patient teacher. He is engaged, attentive and empathetic, interacting constantly with his students during their lessons. He wants his students to understand each piece in addition to playing it accurately. He is inventive in helping students to solve problems. He teaches with high expectations but without coercion. Ron Palka is particularly adept in helping adult students with their inhibitions and memories of remote childhood lessons. There is lots of dialogue and real fun in the lesson experience! As a skilled performer and teacher Mr. Palka can develop talented a student from beginner to conservatory applicant with no “hand-offs” along the way and with those nuanced skills that are sure to spell success.

Mary P
Oberlin, OH

Ronald Palka has a special talent for teaching older students. I have been his student at the Community Music School of the Oberlin College Conservatory of music for several years and am now enjoying working on some Bach Two-Part Inventions with him. He is both very patient with me and very demanding of me. Now my husband, who is also retired, is also studying with him.