Individual piano study for beginners through advanced pianists. Dr. Garreffa builds strong fundamentals and a deep understanding of music, helping students develop skills they can carry with them and enjoy throughout their lives.
Explore piano study ↗Meet Dr. Garreffa
Pianist · Chamber musician · Educator
Born in Buenos Aires and raised in a musical family, Dr. Andrea Garreffa graduated from Argentina’s National Conservatory of Music with its Highest Academic Achievement distinction and received a scholarship to study in Germany.
She earned her master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying with Estela Olevsky, and her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Arizona, studying with Dr. Paula Fan.
As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout Europe, South America, and the United States, including appearances as an orchestral soloist in Germany, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Her experience as a chamber musician and coach adds depth to her work as a pianist and educator. Through ensemble performance and coaching, she has helped musicians develop attentive listening, musical balance, and a shared interpretation—qualities that also inform her approach to individual piano instruction.
A first-prize winner of the Mozarteum Piano Competition in Santa Fe, Argentina, Dr. Garreffa brings her own experience of competitive performance to a studio focused on dedicated musical development.
Doctor of Musical Arts · University of Arizona
Master of Music · University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bachelor of Music · National Conservatory of Music, Buenos Aires
Her chamber music coaching has included work with James Buswell, Victor Rosenbaum, Matt Haimovitz, Jane Hawkins, Masuko Ushioda, Charles Treger, and Mark Russell Smith.
Dr. Garreffa’s teaching background includes graduate teaching assistantships at the University of Arizona and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, alongside private piano instruction. She maintains a private piano studio in Dove Canyon, California.
Beginners are welcome, with no prior experience required. Individual lessons meet each student at their current level and support steady, long-term progress.
From the first lesson, Dr. Garreffa teaches the principles behind technique, reading, rhythm, and listening. Students learn how music works and build the understanding to keep developing their skills.
Deepen your technique and musical understanding with repertoire that challenges and inspires you as your skills develop.
Develop the confidence to share your music, with focused preparation for solo or chamber recitals, competitions, and auditions when these support your goals.
Dr. Garreffa’s teaching begins with first principles: the fundamentals of how music works and how to approach it at the piano. Students connect what they play with what they hear and understand, building a foundation that supports retention, independent learning, and new repertoire.
The aim is lasting musical confidence: skills and understanding students can carry beyond their lessons, with the ability to explore and enjoy piano throughout their lives.
The studio welcomes students who are ready to make piano an ongoing part of their lives. Regular lessons and consistent practice, appropriate to each student’s age and level, help turn small steps into lasting progress. For younger students, parental encouragement and support are an essential part of that process.
Goals may include competitions, advanced study, or the lifelong enjoyment of playing well. Lessons focus on sustained musical development, with patience and purpose at every stage.
Dr. Garreffa’s research and conference presentations reflect her interests in repertoire, musical understanding, and piano teaching.
A Progressive Repertoire Approach
CAPMT State Conference
October 11, 2026
2024 CAPMT State Conference
October 19–20, 2024
Parameters to Successfully Pair Students
CAPMT Virtual State Conference
October 9, 2020
Dr. Andrea Garreffa’s doctoral dissertation
University of Arizona · August 2010
Dr. Garreffa holds the Treasurer position of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT), and chairs multiple competitions and non-competitive events.
Chair of the Orange County Bach Piano Competition and creator of the categorized Original Piano Etudes Competition repertoire list. An experienced adjudicator, Dr. Garreffa has served on judging panels for CAPMT Honors and Contemporary Music competitions, as well as MTAC scholarship competitions and festivals.
Selected honors from CAPMT Orange County competitions.
And one second prize across the two competitions.
Students earned first prizes in all four published age categories.
Three first prizes, four second prizes, and two third prizes.
| Year | Competition | Studio achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bach & Original Etudes | Seven first prizes and one second prize across the two competitions. |
| 2022 | Piano Etudes | First prizes in all four published age categories; one second prize. |
| 2021 | Piano Etudes | Three first prizes, four second prizes, and two third prizes, including tied second prizes. |
| 2019 | Piano Etudes | Two students shared first prize in Category A. |
| 2018 | Bach & Piano Etudes | Four first prizes, two second prizes, and one third prize, including a shared first prize. |
| 2017 | Bach | Two first prizes and one second prize. |
To inquire about piano study, email Dr. Garreffa directly. Beginners and experienced pianists are welcome to get in touch. Share your interests, any previous experience, and what you hope to develop through ongoing piano study.
Dove Canyon, CA
If you are just starting, tell Dr. Garreffa what draws you to the piano. If you already play, you may also share your current repertoire or a recent recording. No recording is required to inquire.
Email Dr. Garreffa ↗
