Hello! I'm Olivia Moellenhoff, and I love helping children discover the joy of making music.

My teaching is especially geared toward beginner and early-intermediate piano students. I strive to create a warm, encouraging environment where children build confidence, develop strong musical foundations, and experience the satisfaction of steady, purposeful growth. Every lesson is thoughtfully tailored to the individual student, meeting them where they are and helping them progress at a pace that is both engaging and appropriately challenging.

My approach is shaped by classical education principles, particularly those found in the Charlotte Mason tradition, which views education as the formation of the whole person. I am also influenced by the pedagogical tradition of Mrs. Curwen, whose approach emphasizes helping children hear and understand music before simply reproducing it. In practice, this means developing the ear, voice, sense of rhythm, keyboard awareness, reading, technique, and musical expression together. Rather than treating music as simply a collection of notes and symbols to memorize, I want students to understand what they hear and play and gradually learn to think and listen like musicians.

In this spirit, piano and harp lessons become more than learning notes and rhythms—they become an opportunity to cultivate attentiveness, discipline, perseverance, and a lifelong appreciation for beauty. I value learning through attentive listening, meaningful discovery, purposeful practice, and delight, while giving students the strong foundations they need to become confident and independent musicians.

While musical growth is certainly a goal, I am equally passionate about helping students develop habits and character that extend beyond the piano bench. Learning an instrument teaches children to focus deeply, work diligently toward long-term goals, persevere through challenges, and take ownership of their progress. These are lessons that often remain with them long after they have mastered a particular piece.

As a musician, I have spent over two decades studying and performing piano, harp, and jazz vocals. I am an award-winning classical musician who has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall and Manhattan School of Music and served as principal harpist of the William & Mary Symphony Orchestra.

My musical training has been shaped by the guidance of exceptional teachers throughout my life. My musical studies began at the New School of Music in Kingston, New Jersey, and continued at the College of William & Mary, where I earned a degree in Music and Philosophy, and at New College, Oxford University, where I furthered my studies in music. At Oxford, I studied music history and theory with world-renowned organist Robert Quinney and composition with award-winning jazz guitarist and composer Luke Lewis. In harp, I studied with internationally recognized performers Jacqui Kerrod and Katherine Siochi, both celebrated for their artistry as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral harpists. I also studied piano with distinguished pianist Phyllis Lehrer, an accomplished performer and respected educator whose decades of teaching have influenced generations of musicians. In addition, I had the privilege of studying and interning under renowned pianist and pedagogue Rose McCathran. Her commitment to musical excellence, thoughtful pedagogy, and nurturing instruction has had a profound and lasting influence on my own teaching philosophy.

Above all, my desire is to help students develop both competence and delight in music. Whether your child is sitting down at the piano or harp for the very first time or continuing to grow in their musical abilities, I seek to provide a supportive environment where they can flourish in confidence, character, and musicianship. I would be honored to partner with your family as your child begins—or continues—their musical journey.