Patricia Arzaga is a highly experienced piano teacher trained as a well-rounded classical pianist, accompanist, and music scholar. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the National University of Music in her native Bucharest, Romania, where she performed extensively in solo recitals and won awards at national piano competitions. She continued her education in the United States, receiving her Master of Arts from The University of Chicago, IL, where she also pursued PhD studies in music history and theory (ABD). While in graduate school, she presented her work at national and local musicology conferences and was the recipient of fellowships, research grants, and awards, including the prestigious Wayne C. Booth Graduate Student Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Active at Noteable Notes Music Academy since December 2022, Patricia is a passionate teacher with 20 years' experience working with children, youth, and adults of all levels. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes a nurturing type of pedagogy that achieves high standards of musicianship through flexible methodologies. She has significant experience and success working with neurodiverse students. In her lessons, Patricia prioritizes developing the music literacy and deep listening skills that lead to a life-long enjoyment of music.

Over the years, Patricia has taught in a variety of settings, while also maintaining her own independent piano studio. Between 2015 and 2020, she was on the faculty at the North Central College Piano Academy. Her teaching schedule included weekly private and group lessons that prepared students to rigorous standards of performance through multiple yearly recitals, festivals, and theory and keyboard examinations.

Patricia has remained an active performer herself as a solo recitalist, collaborative pianist, accompanist, and church musician in the greater Chicago area. Her recordings of solo piano works by composer Mark Lathan are featured in a forthcoming CD album. Highly committed to her professional development, Patricia has maintained memberships with the Waubonsee Valley (WVMTA) and Naperville (NMTA) chapters of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA). While at WVMTA, she engaged as recital coordinator, assistant in the AIM piano performance committee, and vice-president of programs. For NMTA, she is currently serving as membership chair, directory coordinator, and recording secretary.

Patricia enthusiastically supports her students' participation in numerous ISMTA and other local in-person and online piano recitals, festivals, and competitions. She has prepared students and adjudicated in all 12 levels of the AIM theory and performance program and has taught AP Music Theory to high school students who passed the exam with the highest score. Her students have also won awards in several local competitions. In line with the Noteable Notes Music Academy's commitment to high quality music teaching, Patricia is also offering students the opportunity to participate in the theory and performance examinations held by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM).

Patricia is available to book for online lessons. Please contact her directly at patricia@arzaga.net or (312) 213-9075 should you need a time slot that is different from her current listings.