All Lessons Now Available Either
In-Person or Online!
“I love my online piano lessons! Mr. Pickering is so fun and I am learning so much. I just started and I can already play songs with two hands!” - Sarah
Why Pickering Performing Arts & Entertainment? We are a rare combination of practicing industry professionals and educators. We're also a lot of fun!
Michael and Amy Pickering
Founders/instructors
Since their wedding day on July 18, 2003, this husband/wife dynamic duo has been making live music before audiences from coast to coast and around the world. They’ve performed at venues from county fairs, to cruise ships, to corporate extravaganzas, to Carnegie Hall. Crowds and critics rave about Michael and Amy’s dynamic music and charismatic stage presence. Together, they bring eclectic and electric energy to the stage distinctly their own. Their musical diversity and comedic exuberance shared as only a husband/wife - Mom/Dad can, is what fuels their fans, transforming audiences from followers into a family. www.michaelandamy.com
Our Story
Pickering Performing Arts & Entertainment
Creating Opportunities from obstacles
In March 2020, the COVID-19 coronavirus brought life in America to a standstill. Artists and Educators, Michael and Amy Pickering, were inspired to begin offering free music lessons to their community as a way of doing what they could to bring a little normalcy and hope to a rapidly-changing environment. With shelter-in-place orders from the state, they quickly shifted from given in-person lessons to all lessons online. Being committed to the idea that life's challenges should not prohibit access to the activities we all love and the education we all want, the Pickerings instituted a "Pay What You Can" option along with hourly and discounted monthly tuition rates. Pickering Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts School is based in SE Aurora, CO serving a local , regional, and national student base.
What Is Included In The Price Of Lessons?
Discounted Monthly Tuition
Monthly tuition rates are discounted from our regular hourly rates:
60 minutes- $240.00 ($60 per hour) 4-5 lessons per student per month
30 minutes $160.00 ($40 per 1/2 hour) 4-5 lessons per student per month
Hourly Rate : $70 per hour and $50 per 1/2 hour
Family Discount For Multiple Students
1st student is full price then 15% discount off full price for each additional student. Family discounts are automatically applied to all multi-student lessons.
One-on-One Personalized Instruction
We take a fun, innovative, and contemporary approach to music education. Our goal is to inspire student's love for music and love for themselves as music-makers. We teach using popular SONGS THAT STUDENTS SELF-SELECT. It is through this fun approach to music education that we simultaneously teach foundational, intermediate, and advanced music concepts and skills.
Student Album Projects
Students get to record and are featured on our Academy Student albums. Additionally, over time, students have the opportunity to create and record their own individual albums.
Tonara Music App
To help us stay in touch and stay on track, we use the award-winning musical education app Tonara. Finding the motivation to practice in between lessons can be tedious and tiresome for some students, especially the younger ones. Tonara is packed with features and benefits for students, making practicing more fun, engaging, and useful. Students that can see and feel their progress are more likely to stick with it and learn for longer. Tonara teachers report an increase of over 68% in average practice time since using Tonara. Tonara also allows students to chat with one another and with me. I love this feature because it will enable us to build a sense of community even during the current pandemic. Tonara is a FREE app for you!
Convenient Scheduling
You have complete control over lesson scheduling. Once enrolled, you'll be able to schedule your lessons online at your convenience. If you have a day and time in mind that works well with your schedule, We recommend scheduling all your lessons out in advance. Your tuition will renew each month automatically until you cancel.
Special Events
Students have opportunities to participate in online and in-person special events with Music, Theatre, and Entertainment Industry Professionals.
Location
All lessons can be taken in person or online
Sheet Music and Additional Lesson Related Items
All student lesson materials such as sheet music, CD's, etc., are paid for by students in addition to monthly tuition.
Reviews
"I absolutely love that my girls are learning the piano. Not only are they learning how to play, but Mr. Pickering is also recording their music. Such a gift! If you need a piano, voice, or any other type of music teacher, you couldn't ask for anyone better than Michael Pickering." - J. West
“Thank you Michael for another great voice lesson! All three of my kiddos love their time with you and we can hear their progress.” — K. Rogers
“My son LOVED his online piano lesson today with the talented Michael Pickering! Anderson had a blast! Thanks, Michael!!”
— Amy Lynn
“I love my online piano lessons! Mr. Pickering is so fun and I am learning so much. I just started and I can already play songs with two hands!” - Sarah
“I am amazed at seeing my daughter's confidence grow since she began taking voice lessons! The Pickering's are so encouraging, so talented, and amazing teachers.” - Julie
Founder Biographies
Michael Pickering, M.A., Music Business, ACUE
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Michael Pickering, President and Chief Creative Officer of Lionsong Entertainment, Inc., former Director and founder of the Music and Entertainment Entrepreneurship program at the Community College of Aurora, and Founder/Instructor of Pickering Performing Arts and Entertainment Academy, LLC is a creative leader, entrepreneur, educator, and musician. He holds a Master of Arts in Music Business Degree and a B.P.S. in Interdisciplinary Music Studies Degree from the Berklee College of Music, a Post-secondary professional certification in Performing Arts, and national certification in Effective Teaching Practices from ACUE (Association of College and University Educators). He has served on the boards of local arts and entertainment organizations, authored post-secondary music curricula, and spoken at many local and national music industry events. He also provides music and entertainment business and performance consulting services. Michael and his wife, Amy Pickering, remain active as national headline music and clean comedy performing artists for corporate, theatrical, educational, outreach, cruise, and private clients worldwide — www.michaelandamy.com.
Amy Pickering - B.A., Musical Theatre
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO
Amy Pickering, Vice President of Lionsong Entertainment, Inc., and Theatre Director at Englewood Middle and High Schools is a performing artist, entrepreneur, educator, and musician. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre Degree from the University of Northern Colorado and is a Colorado State certified K-12 Theatre Teacher. She has served as a private Instructor with local arts and entertainment organizations and has been a featured performer at numerous local, national and international events. Further, Amy is a certified Beachbody Master Trainer, Personal Trainer, and Group Fitness Instructor. Amy and her husband, Michael Pickering, remain active as national headline music and clean comedy performing artists for corporate, theatrical, educational, outreach, cruise, and private clients worldwide — www.michaelandamy.com.