Spannagel Piano Studio

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My experience with Yuika Chan Spannagel was so similar to another reviewer that it was uncanny. I literally thought I was reading about my own experience.
Several years ago, Yuika taught my child and my child began to complain that Yuika was unkind to her privately during her lessons. At the time, I could not stay for the lessons because I had a baby and a toddler and lessons are held in Yuika's small living room. I thought it could not be true since Yuika was always so pleasant to me. Unfortunately, I learned that Public Yuika and Private Yuika are two completely different people. Our experience culminated in Yuika quitting on my daughter mid-lesson and making my daughter sit on her driveway until I arrived. I had never seen my 11 year old that upset. When I arrived, Yuika and Billy were standing on their front porch with their arms folded, looking furious and Billy wasn't even my daughter's teacher. Yuika marched over to me when I exited my car and I was told that my child was kicked out because she "kept playing a part too slowly" after Yuika told her to speed it up. She told me that she would no longer teach my daughter. When I tried to communicate further with Yuika about our refund for the remainder of the month, she would not speak to me and had her husband do all communicating. And she said that she had refunded our money for the remainder of the month but she did not refund all that we were owed.
It was the most unpleasant and unusual experience I have EVER had in my life with any professional. I did not even pursue the rest of our refund because I just wanted to be done with them.
I have since heard similar complaints about Yuika and Billy Spannagel. I know that our experience seems unbelievable and yet, it is completely true. Our current piano teacher asked us about our experience with Yuika. I knew that they were colleagues and so I was hesitant to share. But after she heard our experience, our teacher admitted that she had heard similar things about Yuika.
If you are determined to use Yuika Spannagel, as another reviewer stated, I would advise you to stay during your child's lessons and monitor carefully what is going on.
I am also highly suspicious of the 3 glowing reviews about Spannagel Studios, all written at the same time.

Just because you are a good pianist does not necessarily mean you are a good teacher. I had a child take lessons from her and she often complained that Ms. Spannagel was mean. I didn't quite believe some of the things my child told me at the time because I didn't think an adult would act that way toward a student. But it ended up being true! At the time it was impossible to sit in on the lessons to see what was really going on because her "studio" consists of two pianos crammed into a small living room with very little sitting area. I got the impression that I was not really welcome to listen in anyway.
Ms. Spannagel ended up treating my child poorly and then dumping her as a student...literally. A six yr old! It sounds unbelievable, but I am completely serious. I happen to walk in during a lesson...my child looked as if she was about to cry, when she saw me she started balling her eyes out It was traumatizing for my child and such a bad experience that I promised myself I would tell anyone I could about it to save them from also having an experience.
And once she was done with us as students, she made her husband do all the communicating with us. I found that very unprofessional and immature on both their parts.
In speaking with others about her, I have heard similar stories about her abruptly dropping students for the slightest infractions. Or refusing to speak to people whom she disagrees with. Dealing with her and her husband was probably one of the strangest experiences of my life.
If you do have your child take lessons from them, make sure you stay and chaperone!

please read other reviews...

Wow! I read the review from the lady whose daughter was mistreated. I completely sympathize. I contacted Yiuka for lessons. I'm an adult student. We set up a time but when I voiced my objection to a 25 trial fee, she said I should find someone else because she can't give her "time" and trial fee for free. I have been in contact with multiple teachers from my son's lessons to my own and, as I mentioned to Yiuka, all first lessons are free. If that's the policy okay. But if you look.at.it, the fee is more than a regular 30 minutes lesson. Hmmmm. Shame on her.

Mrs. Spannagel has been my granddaughter's piano instructor for the last 5 years. She is an excellent, vivacious and compassionate teacher. My granddaughter has excelled at district and state competitions because of Mrs. Spannagel's determination to make sure her students are well prepared. I am a teacher in the public school system and I appreciate the discipline she instills during her lessons. I feel that my granddaughter has learned not only piano skills, but also many life lessons from being a student at the Spannagel Piano Studio. I highly recommend this studio to anyone who's wanting their child to learn to play the piano from highly qualified instructors.

The Spannagel's are awesome instructors! Mrs. Spannagel has instructed my daughter for almost 5 years. My daughter has advanced through several skill levels, competed in OMTA competitions and enjoys participating in their recitals! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to anyone wanting to learn to play the piano!

My 10 year old daughter has been taking lessons from Mr. Spannagel for about a year. She is very shy and has a hard time warming up to new people, but she absolutely loves her teacher. I am amazed at how much she has learned and her level of confidence has grown. Mr. Spannagel is very patient and has a wonderful way of communicating with my daughter. The musical knowledge that she has gained is remarkable. I am very happy that we chose to go with Spannagel Piano Studio for her lessons. 5 stars....hands down!