Chris Novak

Chris Novak is one of the most innovative private music instructors and producers in the Mid-Atlantic region. His 40 years of performance, recording and teaching experience are all integrated into the piano and music education you will receive. Having worked with students between the ages of 5 and 85, he has developed a unique style of teaching that emphasizes individual artistic, technical and personality traits. In addition to teaching, Chris is developing a Music Theory Curriculum book and workshop with intentions of worldwide production.

Trained by husband-and-wife Juilliard graduate concert pianists Francis Veri and Michael Jamanis, Chris was introduced to a whole new world of technical expertise. He took his excitement and talents to the real-world stages, pursuing performance opportunities in Funk, R&B, Country, Jazz and Blues bands both locally and around the nation. He landed a job as chief programmer for Sybersound Records between 1995 and 2000 where he honed his studio and production chops. Since then, he has been recording, producing and performing in Atlanta, Long Island, Manhattan, Central Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and, on Carnival Cruise lines in front of 80,000 world-wide as one of their star, solo piano bar performers. 

The combination of these experiences helps to make Chris’ teaching fun, intense and adaptable to the needs of each student while still managing to maintain the technical integrity required to play an instrument well. 

Lessons will be tailored around individual student needs, age and natural skill levels. I stress technique and music theory. I also push creativity and improvisation and have designed a large series of exercises that incorporate hand position training with ear training, composition and songwriting.