We are thrilled to have Anastasia join our team! If you are interested in learning with her, please let us know and she would be happy to do a trial lesson
Anastasia Royal received her early training from Lili Simon, a pupil of Bela Bartok and then studied with Julian Levitan, chair of the Music Department at Depaul University. She received a 4-year piano scholarship to Depaul University. She has been teaching piano for over 30 years and is passionate about bringing the joy of music to the next generation—all ages welcome, at whatever level and whatever amount of talent! She also enjoys helping students learn to compose their own music and has mentored many students. Her unique, individualized approach makes learning fun.
After all, it’s not working the piano, it’s playing the piano.
Anastasia embraces all kinds of music. She has toured and recorded with a New Wave band in Germany, where she was the lead singer, and has also played in punk bands in England and in alternative rock bands in the United States. She produced her own one-woman shows in the Chicago- area for many years. With her sister, she forms the classical piano duo The Royal Sisters. In 2015, they performed at the International Poland Piano Festival in Nałęczów Poland. Anastasia composes her own music and, under the collaboration HanneStasia, released her debut album Exclusion Park in 2019.
We feel lucky to have found Anastasia as a teacher. While her approach is unique and ingenious, she is also enthusiastic and caring at the same time. She teaches rigorous technique while encouraging creativity in her students! Because of this, my daughter’s piano playing has progressed rapidly in a few years, yet she hasn’t once lost interest, but rather can’t get enough of the piano—she enjoys these lesson that are fun.
— Denise R.