Lessons Offered
Music Theory, Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
Margarete Thomsen has been teaching piano for over 40 years. In addition to having completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, Dr. Thomsen is member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Michigan Music Teachers Association (MMTA), the Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum (LAPTF), and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She has served as president of the LAPTF and the State Audition Chair for Michigan Music Teachers Association. Currently she is president of the Senior Federation Club--Camerata.
Testimonial--I have studied with Margarete Thomsen for 2 1/2 years and my progress and love for the piano has grown steadily. She has technical competence, understanding of the variety of musical genres, the ability to teach music theory at the student's level, and she genuinely loves to teach. My weekly time with her is a most valuable and enjoyable hour. --Joe Schepis
In addition to the DMA, Dr. Thomsen holds a bachelor’s degree in music, a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in piano performance, and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in music theory. Dr. Thomsen is a Michigan Music Teachers Association certified teacher and she is completing her MTNA national certification.
Piano students enrolled in Margarete Thomsen Music Studio are offered a well-rounded program of instruction with training in repertoire, theory, musicianship, ear training, technique, music history, improvisation, sight-reading and ensemble playing.
For all students, the private lesson is the core of instruction. During this time we work to develop a good piano technique, strong music-reading skills, clear understanding of music theory as applied to the pieces at this level of study, and explore a variety of music styles and forms. For most students, the lesson is supplemented with a music theory session which may be held in the Computer Lab or handled by individual instruction. Students use up-to-date as well as established music education software to reinforce and expand learning.
Annual assessments are available through the Michigan Music Teachers Association's Student Achievement Testing and through the Royal Conservatory of Music assessment program. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Federation festival, usually held in Mardh. In addition regular studio classes and annual recital offer performance opportunities.
My Musical Education Background
Bachelor's Degree, Music; Master's Degree (University of Southern California), Piano Performance; Master's Degree (University of Michigan), Music Theory, Doctor of Musical Arts (University of Michigan), Organ Performance
Genres and Subjects Taught
Piano, Music Theory (online--advanced placement) and Music Theory tutoring, Organ
Lesson Rates
Tuition is established annually. Registration requires a $165.00 payment: $100 is a non-refundable deposit deducted from the annual tuition and $65.00 is a materials fee. The annual tuition balance is payable at $200 monthly for 10 months (from the last week of August to the last week of May). Tuition is paid the last week BEFORE the month for which the tuition payment is being made. Tuition includes 36 private lessons during the school year, regular performance classes, Student Achievement Testing preparation classes held once weekly during January and February (in addition to the private lesson), and computer lab.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Beginners, intermediate and advanced. Adults welcome.
My Certifications and Awards
Michigan Music Teachers Association Certified Piano Teacher, Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum "Teacher of the Year Award," Michigan Music Teachers Association "Teacher of the Year Award" (2015).
My Musical Influences
I studied with my first piano teacher, Arthur Luis of San Francisco, from the time I was six until I graduated from secondary school. The lessons were most unusual. He came to our home every Saturday at 1 pm and we studied repertoire for 1 1/2 hours followed by tea and cake. Then we continued on with music theory. In his honor, I've established the Arthur Luis Award which is awarded annually to the first place winner of the APPE competition of the Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum.
I also studied piano and harpsichord with Malcolm Hamilton and harpsichord with Alice Ehlers. Both were wonderful teachers.
Recently I studied with Linette Popoff-Parks of Madonna University since I had a rather long hiatus from actively performing piano while working on the DMA in organ performance. What a wonderful teacher. The most important gift was allowing me to believe in myself as a performer.
Finally, I owe a great deal to the theorists James Dapogny, Andrew Mead, and William Rothstein.
Service Area
Student Reviews
Joe S
Livona, MI
Margarete is a superb and well rounded educator, excellent assessment of the student's level of performance/knowledge. Margarete is detail oriented, and teaches efficiency of movement at the piano. As she has said" piano is simple but one must do many simple things simultaneously" If you want to progress your skills, Margarete will provide the needed instruction.