What's on Your Music Stand for 2025?
Classical & Jazz Piano, Music Theory/Composition, and more!
Virtual and in person Music Instruction in Charleston, SC and Online with Dolly Paul.
Students will need to create a password for access to lesson support pages.
As always, students and parents are responsible for selecting the events they want to be considered for with their teacher. Remember to visit the Student Resources page to learn about more opportunities.
New from SCMTA Piano Skills Festival
Virtual Audition Dates
February 8, 2025
March 8, 2025
April 12, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Deadline to Register for Columbia area District Auditions (SCMTA)
March 2025 Dates
Saturday, March 1, 2025
South Carolina Piano Festival Association
Region II Auditions Midlands/Lowcountry participants
Univ of SC, School of Music, Columbia SC
Saturday, March 8, 2025 Achievement Day
(Please note this date has changed from March 1st. Both Achievement Day and Junior Festival are on the same day.)
Achievement Day (Charleston MTA)
Location: Charleston Southern University
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Junior Festival Day (NFMC)
Location: U of SC School of Music, Columbia
Friday, March 21, 2025
Deadline to Register for Charleston area District VII (SCMTA)
Saturday, March 23, 2025
Columbia District V Auditions (SCMTA)
April 2025 Dates
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Charleston District VII Auditions (SCMTA)
Saturday, April 26, 2025
State Auditions (SCMTA)
Only students receiving an "Outstanding" at District are invited.
Location: USC, Columbia, SC.
May 2025
The National Guild of Piano Teachers auditions are typically held in early May in Columbia, SC.
Rehearsal tips for 2025 from Miss Dolly
- Have a clear goal for every practice session (examples would be: improving on, or memorizing, a section in a piece of music; focusing on a scale or a technique that needs work; sight-playing or musical analysis.)
- Focus on the quality of your practice time, not the length of your practice time. Be sure you are leaving your practice time knowing you have accomplished a set goal.
- Once you have determined your goal for your rehearsal session, approach challenging sections of a piece first, then play music that you are more comfortable with toward the end of your session.
- Use your Metronome. A good rule of thumb is to start daily practice on a work 5 - 8 bpm slower than what you achieved the day before.
- Rehearse daily. Even a short session of 15 minutes on a busy day can lead to significant improvement. Parents this tip is very important for younger children. Do not wait to help your child rehearse the night before their lesson, or only have one or two days a week set aside for practice. Your child will not succeed as quickly as other students if you create this pattern.
- For older students, take short breaks during your rehearsal; Stand up and stretch, get a glass of water, or look out the window. This is a refresher for the mind and body.
- Keep your lesson assignment notes on your piano where you can reference them in every practice session. Personal rehearsal journals can be a benefit for advanced students.
***Playlists for student listening work can be found on our listening site. ***
Dolly Paul is a member of the following professional organizations:
Charleston Music Teachers Association
Columbia Music Teachers Association
Music Teachers National Association
National Federation of Music Clubs
National Guild of Piano Teachers
Ouida Eich Music Club
Royal Conservatory of Music
South Carolina Music Teachers Association
South Carolina Piano Festival Association
Mu Phi Epsilon Music Alumni Association
and is the Counselor/Teacher for the Lowcountry Junior Music Club in Charleston SC.
Dolly Paul offers private lessons in piano, ukulele, guitar, voice, and mountain dulcimer; locally and online.
Start, or Continue, Online Music Lessons from Charleston SC
Piano Lessons in Charleston with Dolly (ukulele, too!)
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Testimonials
I had no idea what a great teacher was and went through four piano teachers at a local music store in two years. We were so blessed to find Miss Dolly. My kid loves her and is really improving at piano now.
J.W., Charleston SC
Dolly knew how to prepare me for college auditions. With her help I received a music scholarship to the University of Michigan. I am now a secondary music teacher and I can never thank her enough.
K.J., Ann Arbor MI
Ms Paul's passion to see me succeed at being my personal best went beyond the music studio. She is a true mentor who cares about her students.
LaQuisha R., Detroit MI
As an older student the covid virus concerns me. Online piano lessons allow me the safety of staying in my home while having an excellent piano tutor to help me reach my goals.
R.T., Waxhaw NC
We homeschooled all of our children. Miss Dolly was the ideal piano and music theory teacher for a houseful of children. She was encouraging and clear about what she expected from each child. She would make special worksheets, or create games for our children if they didn't understand a lesson. She is a wonderful teacher of music.
S. & J. Montgomery, Taylor MI
Venmo @DollyPaul
Venmo @DollyPaul
Consider making a one-time donation on Venmo, or becoming a monthly contributor on my Patreon site, Low Country Studios.
Venmo @DollyPaul
Venmo @DollyPaul
Venmo @DollyPaul
You can help provide music materials and partial scholarships to students whose families are experiencing limited resources.
Venmo @DollyPaul
This is the avatar of Dolly and her sidekick from Charleston SC. You will see this photo on her Venmo site when you visit.
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