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Piano & More marked its 10th anniversary by giving young music students an ambitious challenge: performing live with the seven-piece band Twin Brooks without a full rehearsal.
Founder Nicole Kovar initially considered celebrating the milestone with a small dinner for teachers. Instructor Randy Goode proposed something bigger—a ticketed concert featuring students accompanied by his band.
Kovar loved the idea but worried that the developing musicians would need to master performing, playing with a band and accompanying others. Because Piano & More provides lessons in individual homes, rehearsing everyone together in advance was not practical.
Teachers prepared the students separately and joined them onstage as backup in case anyone froze. Goode used signals to help the band adjust its tempo to each performer. The students played keyboard, drums and guitar and also sang.
Kovar said the performances exceeded her expectations, while parents were astonished to see children as young as 8 sharing the stage with a full band.
The April 17 celebration was held at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington. Tickets included a three-course meal, and the program featured a raffle with items donated by local businesses. A Taylor Swift impersonator made a surprise appearance to run the raffle.
Kovar launched Piano & More in 2016 with two other teachers. Together, they began with about 90 students. Demand quickly filled their schedules, prompting Kovar to hire additional instructors as enrollment climbed beyond 150.
The program developed around the belief that students wanted more than repetitive technical exercises. Kovar sought to make lessons enjoyable, viewing music as both a way to strengthen the mind and a lasting emotional outlet.
Business initially declined when COVID arrived and families canceled lessons. Enrollment later surged as people adjusted to remaining at home.
Kovar faced another major hurdle in the company’s seventh year. After handling teaching, hiring, management and paperwork herself, she realized she needed administrative support. Hiring help first required her to document processes that had previously existed only in her head.
She now manages 13 teachers who provide in-home lessons across Arlington, McLean and Falls Church. Recruiting instructors who are skilled musicians, effective teachers and comfortable working with young children remains her biggest challenge.
Because most lessons take place after school, the work is generally part time. Kovar said she pays competitive rates and hopes eventually to make teaching with the business a viable career that includes health insurance and other benefits.
After the anniversary concert, parents immediately began asking whether it could happen again. Kovar called the event one of the highlights of Piano & More’s first decade and said another performance may follow.