Siliana Piano · Audiation-Based Piano Lessons

My Philosophy

The missing piece in piano education

Most piano lessons begin with learning the names of notes, finger numbers, and counting note values. Children are asked to read a musical "language" they don't yet understand or internally hear. With little prior music-making experience, they rely on the teacher to show them what to play and how to play it. The piano can quickly become something to operate, rather than a means of expression, creativity, and communication.

My teaching is rooted in the work of Edwin Gordon and Music Learning Theory — an approach that develops a child's ability to audiate: to hear, understand, and think music in the mind with meaning.

Children build a vocabulary of tonal and rhythm patterns — the "words" and "phrases" of music — so that notation becomes a representation of something meaningful they can already hear and feel internally. Before naming notes on the page, they are already developing an understanding of melody, harmony, tonality, meter, and musical form.

In the same way children learn to speak before they learn to read, students first experience music through singing, movement, listening, improvisation, and pattern learning.

A child engaging in audiation pattern exchange at the piano

Rather than simply reproducing notes, students learn to think musically, recognize patterns, anticipate sound, and make their own musical decisions.

The goal is not only to teach children how to play pieces on the piano, but to help them become confident, thoughtful, and independent musicians who understand music from the inside out.

What This Means

Three principles, lived in every lesson.

Learning music through experience

Children learn music through movement, singing, listening, and playful exploration at the piano — because musical understanding develops through active experience first.

Music making as a shared experience

Music becomes more meaningful when it is experienced together. Children learn alongside parents, siblings, and other children in an environment built around connection and shared learning.

Understanding comes first

Before children learn to read music, they learn to think musically. They begin developing audiation — the ability to internally hear, understand, and make sense of music. Grounded in the research of Edwin Gordon and Music Learning Theory, this approach builds strong foundations for confident, expressive, and lifelong music-making.

About

The teacher behind the method.

I'm Siliana — a pianist and piano teacher whose work is rooted in the research of Dr. Edwin Gordon (Music Learning Theory). I didn't arrive here by accident. I arrived by asking questions. Why do so many children stop playing once lessons end? Why does technique so often fail to become expressive music-making? Why do students who "can play" still seem insecure, overly dependent on a teacher, and disconnected from what they are performing?

Then I found Gordon's research. The questions I'd been asking had been studied for decades — and the quality music education I had been imagining already existed. At the center of it is audiation — the ability to hear and understand music internally. It is what moves children beyond imitation and guessing into genuine musical understanding. Everything I teach is designed to develop audiation — through listening, movement, singing, improvisation, and meaningful musical interactions.

I work with children and their families to build a different kind of musical foundation — one that is active, creative, and rooted in sound before symbols. My goal is not simply for children to play pieces at the piano, but for them to grow into confident, independent musicians who think musically and play with joy.

My teaching has high expectations because children deserve to be taken seriously as musicians. And it has warmth because they're children — curious, brilliant, playful.

Credentials

Education

Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto · University of California, Santa Barbara · New Bulgarian University, class of Prof. Milena Mollova

Training & Specialization

Music Learning Theory — Gordon Institute for Music Learning · Numerous GIML course certifications

Experience

25 years of teaching experience · Audiation-based piano instruction

Teaching Format

Online and in-person lessons in Sofia, Bulgaria · English and Bulgarian

Words From Families

The standards that endure.

I no longer measure progress by hours practiced or exam certificates. I measure it by what a child can hear inside themselves — by their ability to audiate, to anticipate sound, to engage with music as something they understand from within. This is, in many ways, a higher standard than the one I once held. It asks more of a teacher and gives more to a child.

These reflections come from families who studied with me before I transitioned to audiation-based teaching. What they describe — the patience, the rigor, the long relationships — remains the foundation of my work. Today, the teaching is even more intentional, musical, and deeply rooted in how children actually learn music.

Siliana's love of classical music, piano, and performance have inspired and encouraged my daughter in such a way that she now possesses an incredible drive to practice and set her own goals. My daughter has developed a genuine friendship with and love for Siliana which makes the learning all the more enjoyable.

Siliana provides an incredible amount of challenge, but then gracefully guides and coaches my daughter so that she can confidently grow and succeed.

We are about to begin our sixth year with Siliana, and my daughter is more excited than ever to see what she'll be able to accomplish. If you are looking for a teacher who will teach you the technique, theory, discipline, and grace to play challenging pieces — this is the studio for you.

Adrienne S. — Six Years with the Studio

My son started with Siliana and he is thriving. He loves the piano. She is very patient and kind while still having high expectations. She is able to push him to be his best and motivate him. This is not easy for my easily distracted, talkative boy.

I have kids who have been involved in all levels of music, and we have had experience with all kinds of teachers. I really like how she is very meticulous about building a good, strong foundation. Technique, posture, and theory are always in the forefront of the lessons.

She is an excellent teacher for all levels and age groups.

Kristen B. — Piano Parent

Working Together

Choose your path.

Family Lessons

For two or more children from the same family, learning together. Siblings are a natural fit for this method — children hear each other audiate and model for each other.

Family lessons can begin on a rolling basis, when the schedule fits both sides.

The Morning Cohort

A small group of up to four children beginning their musical foundation together. The cohort meets weekly at the same time, learns as a group, and grows together over the year.

New cohorts open once a year, starting in September. Join the waitlist below to be notified when enrollment opens.

In-Person Lessons in Sofia

For English-speaking children based in Sofia. Small group lessons of two to four children, taking place in my studio.

Available year-round on a rolling basis.

A note for families in the US: Due to the time difference with my location in Sofia, lessons for US-based children take place in the early morning, before school. Cohorts are formed within a single US time zone so the group can meet at the same local time each week.

Growing Lifelong Pianists

The missing piece in piano education

Three principles, lived in every lesson.

Learning music through experience

Music making as a shared experience

Understanding comes first

The teacher behind the method.

The standards that endure.

Choose your path.

Family Lessons

The Morning Cohort

In-Person Lessons in Sofia

Let's start the conversation.

Thank you.