Modern Music Education
Developing musical minds in the 21st century
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About Us
The Rowan Piano Institute was founded by Douglas Rowan with the intent of providing a new and high-quality musical education that integrates the technologies of the modern world. With three degrees in music, a decade of teaching experience, and a performing career that has taken him throughout the United States and into Europe, Douglas has established a curriculum designed to give students the abilities to succeed in all of their musical endeavors.
Weekly lessons and group classes are supplemented by additional materials online. Students are given access to class videos, interactive assignments, repertoire, flashcards, and more through our website that will reinforce the topics taught during lessons and classes while inspiring a love of music!
Kali Pio
Since graduating with a degree in Music Education in 2019, Kali Pio has developed a passion for teaching students of all ages. While living in Michigan, she specialized in early childhood music, directing a program of over 300 students ages 2–5 and nurturing a love for music from the very beginning. After getting married, she moved to Chicago, where she worked with older students, led group classes, organized recitals, and prepared students for national competitions.
After relocating to Arizona, Kali served as Music Director at Caritas Classical Academy, working with students from Kindergarten through 8th grade and leading musical productions. Today, she enjoys teaching private piano lessons while also embracing life as a mother of two. Kali is passionate about building confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of music in each of her students.
Rui Xi
Rui Xi is a pianist, educator, and collaborative musician whose work spans solo performance, chamber music, collaborative piano, and pedagogy. She is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Piano Performance at Arizona State University, where she studies with Dr. Cathal Breslin and has served as a Teaching Assistant and Faculty Associate. At ASU, she has received the Teaching Assistantship Award and Special Talent Scholarship.
As a teacher, Rui is passionate about helping students build a strong technical foundation, develop artistic confidence, and discover their own musical voice. She has taught undergraduate music majors and non-majors at Arizona State University, coached chamber music ensembles there, and worked with students of different ages and levels through the ASU Community School. She previously served on the piano faculty of Indiana University’s Young Pianists Program, where she further developed her experience teaching young pianists in a supportive and inspiring learning environment.
Rui holds a Performer Diploma and Master of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University Bloomington, where she studied with Gregory Sioles and Edward Auer and received the Jacobs School of Music Graduate Tuition Award. She earned her Bachelor of Music from Xi’an Conservatory of Music, majoring in Piano Performance and minoring in Vocal Performance, and was awarded the Student Excellence Scholarship.
Alongside her teaching, Rui maintains an active performing career in solo, chamber, and collaborative settings including Katzin Concert Hall, Tempe Center for the Arts, ASU Kerr Center, etc. Her recent honors include being named a Finalist in The American Prize in Piano Performance (Solo), College/University Division (2026), as well as winning the Gold Medal in the Seattle International Competition, Virtuosos Series, and the Platinum Medal in the Quebec Music Competition, Professional Category (2025). Her teaching is shaped by broad performance experience and a commitment to thoughtful, individualized instruction that encourages both musical growth and joy in learning.
Group Classes
Our Group Class offerings are the perfect place to begin a musical education. Designed to teach all of the essential skills to play the piano, these dynamic, interactive, and in-depth classes are held with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio allowing for balanced social interaction with peers and individualized instruction. The curriculum has been written by Mr. Rowan to produce technically adept, musically sound, and intellectually aware musicians using an approach that emphasizes the development of visual, kinesthetic, and aural learning abilities. Group Classes follow a semester schedule with frequent performances in each semester, ensemble opportunities, and the intention of preparing you for further instruction in our private lessons. Click below for a free class and one-on-one meeting with Mr. Rowan!
Private Lessons
The traditional method of piano education, our private lessons, the curriculum, and performance opportunities will vary depending on the student's abilities, goals, and work ethic. Having won several piano competitions, Mr. Rowan is equipped to prepare students for local, state, and national competitions, adjudications, and festivals. In these lessons students are encouraged to pursue their musical interests while being motivated to develop exceptional technical and musical skills. Lessons are typically offered in 45 minute sessions but 30 minute and 1 hour sessions are also available. Click below for a free lesson!
ADULT CLASSES
Make your lifelong dreams come true! Whether you know a little about playing, learned piano as a child and haven't played since, or have never touched a piano but always wanted to, our group classes for adults will help you make your dreams come true! We love working with adults of all professions and backgrounds and a group class is the perfect place for you to experience the joy of making music. Register now!
ONLINE & IN HOME INSTRUCTION
Interested in group classes or private lessons but don't want to leave the comfort of your own home? We'll come to you! We now offer fully remote classes and lessons with the intention of providing the same musical experience to students who are more comfortable learning in their own environment. Remote students will receive the same access to study helps as in-person students and are encouraged to participate in virtual or in person recitals throughout the year. Click below for a free class!
