Metropolitan Academy of Music

I’m an adult beginner on piano. I had piano lessons for a year and tried several teachers, but I still couldn't read notes, play songs, count rhythm etc. However, I have a passion to play piano and I love music. I believed that I could find a good piano teacher somewhere.nnFinally I found Mitch Odom at the Metropolitan Academy of Music in Mercer Island. I have been taking lessons with him now for 3-4 months and now I can read notes, count rhythms, play songs - and I really enjoy playing piano and practicing. Mitch is very patient and is great at explaining everything to me. My work hours are ridiculous, but he worked out a flexible schedule with me.nnUnfortunately, I am moving away from Mercer Island and the commute is a problem. Sadly, I’ll have to stop taking lessons with him. I don't know if I will be able to find another talented piano teacher out there. If i cannot I will definitely go back to him. Mitch is highly recommended if you or your loved ones want to enjoy learning to play piano. It's really worth it. You will see the difference!​

My daughter and I both have taken music lessons (drums and piano) from Mitch and Vance for a year now. It has been the best experience and I would recommend Metropolitan Academy of Music to anyone who really wants to learn and love music.nnMitch has taught me the basics of piano but more importantly, how to appreciate the nuances of the language of music. How to present myself while playing and why. How important timing is and how to add a little touch of vivance to each piece. Mitch loves what he does and it shows.nnFrom one parent to another, Metropolitan Academy of Music is the place to really learn and love playing music.​

My wife wanted a piano. She had taken piano lessons from her father when she was young, an experience that has few pleasant memories. She wanted to take lessons and learn how to play now as an adult so we bought a piano. This was about 20 years ago. Didn’t last long so the piano sat except for when her father came over and we would ask him to play. He eventually moved to Arizona so the piano really sat.nAbout seven years ago I looked at the piano and thought about how fast time was going by, I was 56. I decided to take lessons and see if I could learn to play a bit and it happened. Time has flown by and I can play a bit.nI didn’t do this on my own. I was fortunate enough to find Mitch Odom, piano teacher extraordinary. When we first met he asked me what I wanted to do with the piano. I told him I would like to learn how to play jazz. He then asked me if I knew where middle C was and I said I didn’t have a clue. Now as we are working on a bit of Jazz I realize how hard it must have been for him not to break out laughing at our first meeting. Jazz is not easy.nThe first thing I must say about Mitch is that he is a very talented musician. He can play all styles of music pretty much on the fly. As a teacher Mitch is kind, patient, a great leader and has an uncanny knack for creating analogies to help overcome challenges. He has had me explore classical music, latin riffs, blues, contemporary music and now jazz.nHis method of teaching works. Mitch slowly introduced me to music theory without me even really knowing till we got to the point where it was really relevant. I have had many a ha moments!nI would recommend Mitch with all my heart. I know what he can do with an adult and I have seen how he interacts with children. I have seen his students perform. Mitch gets results.

What a wonderful experience learning with Mitch has been for our 6 year old. Mitch is both a superb musician and a gifted teacher, and we've been very impressed with how much fun the lessons have been while still laying the foundations of good technique and musicianship.