Jody Brickman

Claire S
Andover, MA

I never thought that playing the piano could be such fun!! However, if you have a creative, inspiring and witty teacher like Jody Brickman, it becomes a totally delightful and enjoyable experience. Three years ago when my daughter headed off to college, I decided it wasn't fair to leave our piano untouched by human hands and lonely for music. So I began taking lessons from Jody (having previously taken lessons in high school almost forty years ago) and became immediately excited by this opportunity to rediscover my hidden talents! Jody was aware of my "piano anxiety" and would suggest simple piano duets for us to play together to help me feel more relaxed during my lessons. She made a point of allowing me to select the music (classical, show tunes. popular music, etc.) that I enjoyed playing once I'd mastered the basics. Despite my being a novice pianist, she gave me feedback that helped me feel proud of my efforts and further inspired me to try more challenging pieces. Laughter was an essential part of our time together as she helped me realize I shouldn't take myself too seriously. I would always leave our time together with a smile....or giggles. Jody is a wonderful person to teach young people as well as adults like myself. She has become not only a respected teacher, but also a very special friend. Any person who chooses to take lessons from her will discover the beauty of music for themselves.

Gabriella G
Andover, MA

My family and I have known Mrs. Brickman for a very, very long time, and we could have never found a better piano teacher, or friend. Being one of her students for the past 6 years, I have learned so much more about music than just learning notes and playing pieces. Mrs. Brickman is very understanding and has a good eye for what can be improved in each student. She has a personal relationship with each and every one of her students and focuses on each of their unique abilities with making music. I have become more comfortable at the piano in 6 years, than any of us could have ever imagined. Even as we get older and become busy with lots of other things in life, Mrs. Brickman knows how to motivate her students and keep them playing as much as they can. She is never mean, or too harsh on her students. Instead, she is gentle, loving, personable and understanding towards each one. Her care and commitment towards making music is amazing, and she has become a great role model towards me as I move onto new levels of piano. Mrs. Brickman is an expert with young students, and makes starting piano a piece of cake. She plans a tremendous amount of get-together's for the younger students as well as short recitals for the elderly. Her sense of humor and fun personality is also one of the reasons I love going to her house for lessons every week. She has made playing the piano one of the most important things to me and I have a special place in my heart for her and the piano. Any student who has been taught by her, has fallen in love with the piano and feels special that they found her.

Kimberly J
North Andover, MA

My 8 year old daughter G. began lessons at 6 with a very stern teacher, and by the end of three months had already begun to hate the piano. Thank goodness, therefore, that we then found Mrs. Brickman! She helped my girl rediscover the joy in making music, and has since taught her to play better than I could have ever expected by third grade, becoming, along the way, a genuine friend to her as well, having taken the time both to get to know her and the things she cares about, to laugh with her (they each enjoy the other's sense of humor) and to play with her. (Mrs. Brickman has devised lots of musical games.) Perhaps even more than most kids, my daughter does not love to practice. In truth, she doesn't love to do anything she has to do, especially if it isn't easy for her right off the bat! But Mrs. Brickman has always been able to motivate her, if not in the myriad fun ways she has developed, then by gentle yet firm establishment of expectations. As a mom, I am grateful for how organized Mrs. Brickman is, how much feedback she provides, and the effort she puts into developing a sense of camaraderie amongst her students by way of things like piano parties. I also appreciate how--by holding her her recitals in various nursing homes-- she teaches her students that part of the value of a musical education is the joy it can bring those who hear them play. Mrs. Brickman is a truly special teacher, one whom I feel very lucky to have found, and who I am glad has been a part of my child's life.

Amy F
North Andover, MA

I have known Jody for 5 years. During that time, she has been my 16 year old daughter’s piano teacher for 5 years, my teacher for 2 years, and my 12 year old son’s teacher for 1 year. My daughter’s great experiences with Jody led me to begin lessons with her myself after a 30+ year hiatus. I cannot speak highly enough of Jody as a teacher and as a person. She takes it upon herself to get to know each of her students; their personalities, likes and dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, etc. She uses this knowledge to tailor her lessons (music selection, motivational techniques, teaching style) to suit each individual student. As an adult student, I love her wonderful sense of humor, her knack for choosing music that I truly enjoy learning and playing, her creative techniques for teaching, her passion for her work, and her great musical knowledge and talent. I would highly recommend her to others searching for a truly outstanding piano teacher.

Julia K
Andover, MA

Mrs. Brickman has a tremendous capacity for patience and understanding. She knows how to cater to each individual student in order to motivate them to do their best and fall in love with music. Mrs. Brickman is truly an inspiration and I am so grateful that she has been my teacher for the past seven years. Without her I never would have discovered how full life can be with music or have become so committed to the piano, something that I know will be a life-long passion of mine because of Mrs. Brickman’s incredible teaching capability. We have become great friends and she will always hold a special place in my heart.

Elizabeth K
Falmouth, MA

Mrs. Brickman is a truly extraordinary teacher. She forms sincere and caring relationships with all of her students through piano and beyond.She has the unique ability to guide us through music in a way that fosters a connection between our passions and the notes we play. I took lessons from Mrs. Brickman for many years, and she has had a profound and positive impact on who I have become. Leaving for college meant leaving her studio, but I consider her to be a friend first, and an incredible teacher as a close second. Getting to know her and learning from her was a privilege I am grateful for every day, and I am so happy to say we remain in touch today.