Michael Stegner – Online Music Lessons & Teacher Conferences
Michael Stegner was born into a musical family, with both parents serving as music educators. His early years were shaped by classical piano lessons, and he later pursued a B.M. in Studio Music and Jazz (piano) at the University of Miami in Florida. After touring the US as a performer, Michael settled in Seattle, where he fused his classical and jazz training with modern music trends into a unique teaching philosophy.
Michael’s expertise quickly garnered attention, and his private teaching studio in Seattle rapidly filled with students. His innovative approach to music education has made him a sought-after speaker at local and national teacher conventions.
Why Learn from Michael Stegner?
- Proven Success: Michael’s students have been awarded over $1,000,000 in music scholarships from top-tier colleges across the country.
- Career Development: Many of his former students now enjoy successful careers across various music genres, from jazz and classical to pop and hip-hop.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Whether you’re interested in piano, improvisation, composition, music theory, or production, Michael’s online lessons offer a holistic approach to music education.
- Nationally Recognized: Michael has presented at numerous prestigious conferences, including the MTNA National Conferences and the WSMTA State Conferences.
Engage Michael Stegner for Public Speaking & Teacher Conventions
Michael’s passion for teaching and innovation in music education has led him to present at leading national conferences, including:
- MTNA National Conferences (2007, 2008, 2009, 2013)
- WSMTA State Conferences (2002, 2004, 2017)
- Vermont Music Teachers Association Conference (2017)
- MTAC State Convention (2018)
He has also presented at various local and state meetings across Washington, Texas, and beyond, sharing his expertise on integrating technology into music education.
Contact Michael Stegner Today
Whether you’re looking for online music lessons tailored to your goals or a dynamic speaker for your next teacher conference, Michael Stegner’s extensive experience and innovative teaching methods will inspire and motivate. Reach out today to schedule a lesson or inquire about speaking engagements.
High School Jazz Piano Student – Ariel Pocock
Singer/Songwriter Student Recording – Annalee
Piano, Ableton, Production, Mixing, Mastering and Composition Student Recording – Gallagher Lawson
Production, Mixing and Release Strategy Student Recording – Nick Platoff
Adult Jazz Piano Student – Bud Johnson
Intermediate Classical Piano Student Performance – Kayla
Student Testimonials
“I am a conservatory trained classical pianist that is actively performing and teaching. I was searching for ways to expand my knowledge and expertise by exposing myself to a different musical language (jazz). For the past year I have been working with Michael Stegner weekly via lessons on Google Hangouts, as I live in Washington State. Michael is a phenomenal musician and so fluent in many different styles. This study has opened up a new musical world that both challenges me and enhances my current knowledge. He explains things in several different ways, and introduces concepts in a thoughtful fashion. I feel like I have added another important layer to my playing, and I look forward to our weekly lessons. Most of all, I trust that he considers my musical development a priority and keeps me feeling upbeat about the progress because it is so much different than classical study! The online format has worked very well as we can connect from the comfort of our own studios. Online billing is extremely easy too. Please feel free to contact me personally if you would like any more perspective from a classical background!”
— Jennifer Bowman, Pianist, MM The Juilliard School
“Having taken lessons from many music teachers over the course of ~10 years (for both piano and saxophone), I can confidently say that Michael stands out from the rest and is an extraordinary person to study with. I was able to progress both on the technical side of my playing, further my understanding of theory, and apply the theory to improve my soloing over the course of lessons with him. Certain aspects of jazz can be intimidating to take on, but Michael was able to build up my skill level in incremental steps that felt achievable. This made each lesson feel like a small ‘win,’ as progress was clearly showing and confidence-boosting (which is important as a student)! Also, he is just an extremely kind person, so the lesson environment is very welcoming and supportive. It keeps things fun while still being productive.”
— Max Levin, Keyboardist, Producer, Music Director & Artist Management
“I am a classically-trained pianist who runs my own teaching studio in Western New York and also performs as a collaborative artist and accompanist. I had a desire to bring creativity into my musical life many years ago, and it wasn’t until I found Michael’s blog and artistic voice that I found someone who I felt would be an excellent fit as a mentor-teacher in learning how to create and improvise music at the piano. I have been taking weekly online lessons with him via Google Chat since April 2017. My lessons with Michael are challenging and inspiring. We always move at a good pace, and I feel that the improvisatory nature of the lessons is a good indication of the practice—flexible, reacting to the moment, and yet providing great structure. Michael, as a teacher, is aware of all of this and can come from different angles if he sees that one approach is not connecting, a sign of a good teacher. He shares musical experiences that provide context and encourage one in this process. One of the most important qualities I have found in him as a teacher is that he creates a space for me to discover things on my own musical journey. He provides guidance but with the awareness that he wants me to discover things in my own time and pace. As a result of Michael’s direction, guidance, and teaching, I am creating music at the piano that I could only imagine when I started learning these new skills. The technical and musical skills I have gained from his expertise continue to provide inspiration for what I know will be an ever-growing love for music, and that to me is priceless.”
— Sarah Maybee, Pianist & Teacher
“I took online sessions with Michael. When I first contacted him, I was pretty lost and confused about where to go musically, and I needed direction. I’m very happy that I found him at that time. He was extremely patient and understanding, and offered his expert guidance. We covered several topics such as music production, teaching studio management, creative exercises, composition, and many other things that a life in music encompasses. Michael has done it all in his career and possesses a wealth of information. I never felt aimless during our sessions. He would target what he found to be my interests and went from there. I especially liked that Michael was comfortable jumping from things like nit-picky music theory to broad, philosophical life questions. He was a musical-life coach to me, but he also possesses the skills to be a focused teacher for singular subjects as well. I highly recommend working with Michael, especially if you were like me! It was a tremendous help and I cannot thank him enough. Thanks, Michael!”
— Shawn Schlogel, Pianist, Teacher & Touring Musician
“As a piano teacher, I strive to structure my lessons with fun in mind. After attending countless conferences, meetings, and seminars, I was constantly being reminded of the rigid methods that teachers have stuck to, methods that often focused on drilling with intense repetitions. I was in search of a more innovative approach that wasn’t afraid to break the molds of traditional teaching methods.
I started online sessions with Michael in April 2018, and reaching out to him has proven to be one of the most rewarding decisions I have made in my career. Through our online lessons, Michael has helped me in so many ways, including structuring lesson plans, behavior management, and exploring creative ways to teach. He always has answers to my endless stream of questions and explains his reasoning thoroughly. Michael has an attention to detail that speaks volumes about his passion for teaching and music. I’ve grown more confident as a teacher after meeting with Michael, and my students have also shown greater motivation when it comes to playing and practicing on their own.
Besides improving as a teacher, working with Michael also continues to inspire me to think deeply and explore what I could do as a musician. I highly recommend working with Michael. He has played an essential role in my growth as a teacher and musician.”*
— Jaemee Kim, Pianist & Teacher in Bellingham, WA
“One of the things I loved about taking lessons with Michael is that he really made me think outside the box and apply my knowledge in unique yet unconventional ways. For instance, I struggled with improvising at faster tempos in high school, mostly because I thought I couldn’t hit all the changes correctly. I remember bringing this up to Michael during a lesson one day, and instead of teaching me licks and melodies that would work over the chord changes, he put the metronome on 200 bpm (much faster than I was used to playing) and instructed me to play consistent eighth notes at that tempo but without worrying about any harmony or chord changes on the page (playing freely). This, in turn, helped train my ears to hear melodies and harmonies that weren’t in my vocabulary before. Michael taught me that developing one’s own sound or voice doesn’t come from copying others or showing someone what’s right or wrong. It’s about providing someone with the tools necessary to be creative and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an artist. I realized, with Michael’s guidance, that I could expand my musical knowledge by utilizing the creative tools he gave me in ways that I desired. Teaching someone a song is one thing, but teaching someone how to apply musical knowledge is a whole other ballgame, and Michael has seriously mastered this. I feel lucky to have been able to take piano lessons with him.”
— Danae Greenfield, Pianist, Composer & Teacher in NYC
“It is rare to find a music teacher who is versatile and open-minded yet also a high-level expert at each of the genres they teach. Michael is one of these teachers. From classical and jazz to singing-songwriting, composition, arranging, and production, Michael is a true master of so many musical disciplines. And he doesn’t see boundaries between these genres; rather, he encourages students to appreciate the connections between them. I never fit into traditional music lessons because I wanted to explore different kinds of music and discover my own voice. Michael has guided me through so many musical adventures, from preparing for classical piano auditions to learning New Orleans-style boogie-woogie and going into the studio to record original singer-songwriter music. In addition to being a technical genius and well-respected educator, Michael has a deep understanding of the creative process and the highly personal journey that every musician takes. His sensitivity and thoughtfulness impact each of his students in a unique, unforgettable way. Furthermore, Michael provides invaluable coaching for music educators. His perceptiveness and sixth sense when it comes to teaching never fail to amaze me. Michael is an educational innovator who thinks outside the box and brings a much-needed fresh perspective to music education. Michael has helped me find my confidence as a musician and teacher, and I am forever grateful for his patience, generosity, and wisdom along the way.”
— Anna Freedman, Pianist, Teacher, Songwriter & Vocalist
“I have been performing and composing jazz music for a long time. Mr. Stegner was quickly able to see the areas that I need to work on, he listens closely and works with me with respect to the areas I am most interested in, and it has been an incredible experience thus far. I should add that he is a pleasant person to work with, very enjoyable, and truly cares about my progression and learning. I look forward to the next session. I will continue to work with him.”
— Bruce Baker, Jazz Pianist, Bandleader, Arranger