For many people, learning to play piano is a dream that gets pushed aside — something they always wanted to try but never found the time, confidence, or opportunity to pursue.
Slave Lake piano teacher Susanne Campbell wants to change that.
Through her All Paths Piano program, Campbell is helping adults discover that learning an instrument is not something reserved for children, and that it is never too late to begin a musical journey.
“Any age is a great age to play piano,” Campbell said.
Her adult students currently range in age from 20 to 80, and this fall she is expanding her program with new options for beginners looking to start their own piano path.
Beginning in October, Campbell will offer a six-week online Intro to Piano course for adult learners. The Wednesday afternoon classes, running from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., will introduce students to the fundamentals of piano through three levels of beginner courses.
Level 1 will run in October and November, with Levels 2 and 3 planned for future sessions.
The online program is designed for both complete beginners and those returning to the piano after years away.
For adults who prefer learning in person, Campbell is also accepting four beginner students into a new private studio class beginning this September. The Thursday afternoon class, running from 2 to 3 p.m., will follow the same Intro to Piano curriculum over an eight-month period.
Campbell has been teaching piano in Slave Lake for more than 25 years. For most of that time, her lessons focused on one-on-one instruction, but her approach began to change during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Campbell left her other part-time jobs behind and made piano teaching her full-time career. When the pandemic forced many activities online, she discovered new possibilities for teaching virtually — and realized there was a large group of adults who had always wanted to learn piano but felt hesitant about starting.
“What started out as a 10-week passion pilot project on Zoom turned into All Paths Piano, an online piano studio for adult beginners,” Campbell said.
She said one of the biggest barriers for adult learners is simply overcoming the fear of beginning.
“There is this belief that you’re too old,” she said. “You’re never too old to learn something new.”
Campbell said modern learning tools have transformed the experience of learning piano compared with when many adults were children.
“The resources and tools out there now are amazing,” she said. “There is no better time to learn.”
Her beginner courses were inspired by WunderKeys Pop Staff Piano Library for Older Beginners, a series created by Canadian husband-and-wife team Trevor and Andrea Dow. Campbell said the materials help adult students learn the basics while quickly experiencing the enjoyment of playing recognizable and beautiful music.
“It’s a total game changer,” she said.
Since launching All Paths Piano, Campbell has seen several students continue beyond the beginner courses into late beginner and early intermediate classes, where they explore a wider variety of musical styles.
While some students are motivated by a lifelong interest in music, Campbell said adults choose to learn piano for many reasons, including improving brain health, music therapy, finding a new winter hobby, or finally pursuing a passion they have carried for years.
For students learning online, Campbell has also built a community around the program through a dedicated online platform and Facebook group, where students can connect, access resources, and continue learning outside scheduled classes.
Recorded tutorials are another important part of her teaching approach, allowing students to revisit lessons and receive extra guidance while practising independently.
Campbell is inviting anyone interested in exploring piano to take part in the All Paths Piano 30-Day Piano Challenge beginning Sept. 1 through the program’s Facebook group. She said it is a chance for people to try piano, meet other learners, and discover where their own musical path might lead.
“Give it a try and see where your Piano Path takes you,” she said.
For more information about All Paths Piano or upcoming classes, Campbell can be contacted at susanne@allpathspiano.com.
William Heatherington
Lakeside Leader
