Colin Shecktor

Quoted by the London Contemporary School of Piano as “a classical pianist with a jazz spirit, connected to the improvisation traditions of classical music,” I bring a blend of tradition and innovation to every lesson I teach.

With over 24 years of piano performance experience (starting at age 7) and 9 years of dedicated teaching, I’ve performed across the U.S., U.K., and Greece in solo, chamber, orchestral, and choral settings, including a vocal and piano performance at Carnegie Hall.

Alongside interpreting classical masterworks, I have a deep-rooted passion for improvisation, one that has shaped my performance career and teaching philosophy. I’ve improvised for concerts, short films, theatrical works, and even premiered original collaborative pieces, including a work for 12 pianists.

I hold a Master’s degree in Music Performance with distinction from the London College of Music (studying with Alvin Moisey), and a Bachelor’s from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Daniel Immel and Dr. Maria Asteriadou. I’m currently completing a second master’s in Music Education, where I focus on bridging creative methods with pedagogical structure.

My students benefit from an approach that blends classical discipline with creative freedom. I’ve developed simplified, original systems for understanding harmony, rhythm, and improvisation, including my own vertical notation system, and I use these tools to help students of all levels find personal expression at the piano.

I currently teach virtually for:

• Hampstead Music School (London, U.K.)

• Piano Teachers Connect (Worldwide)

• London Contemporary School of Piano

I also compose and release music across Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms, and have taught mixing, mastering, and music production through seminars and private sessions.

Whether you're a beginner, an improviser, or someone returning to the keys after years away, I aim to help you grow as a confident and expressive musician on your terms.

I combine traditional piano methods (such as Alfred, Faber, and A Dozen A Day) with creative, ear-based, and improvisational approaches to meet each student’s unique learning style. Lessons may include chord-based lead sheet playing, musical storytelling, improvisation drills, and timed, personalized technique exercises designed to target individual challenges. I also offer instruction using my own vertical notation system, which simplifies reading and playing for absolute beginners.

For students who prefer a structured, exam-aligned path, I prepare them using graded repertoire and technical work based on ABRSM and Trinity syllabi. I regularly provide custom PDFs, recordings, and visual worksheets tailored to each student’s goals. My own level spreadsheets (containing 100 levels in my chord book and scale book) align closely with international grade systems, covering comprehensive piano technique and additional music theory, such as modal concepts, which are not typically addressed in standard exams but highly valuable for creativity and composition.