Alex Bohrer
Originally from Boston, Mass. Alex started playing piano at age 9 and began playing professionally at age 14 graduating from Berklee College of Music with a music degree in Jazz Piano Performance in 1981.
Next Alex moved to Los Angeles continuing his education in Composition/Arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music completing the intensive CAP program. He spent the next 15 years performing locally and abroad as well as composing, arranging and scoring commercially.
His private instructors included music legends:
- Henry Mancini (Pink Panther/Moon River)
- Ray Santisi (Roster included Diana Krall)
- Bill Conti (Rocky theme)
- Madame Chaloff (Roster included Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock)
- Herb Pomeroy (Invented the jazz scale) and many others.
Alex moved to Austin, Tx in 1998 where he discovered his greatest enjoyment and passion is teaching Piano and Composition.
His unique teaching style of incorporating composition, performance and music technology with a relaxed sense of humor earned Alex the moniker the Cool Piano Teacher by his students. The name stuck.
Alex attributes his success as a teacher to his own love for learning and daily self study believing that his own passion for continuous learning is the best student motivator. This belief is supported by his many Student Success Stories.
Next Alex moved to Los Angeles continuing his education in Composition/Arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music completing the intensive CAP program. He spent the next 15 years performing locally and abroad as well as composing, arranging and scoring commercially.
His private instructors included music legends:
- Henry Mancini (Pink Panther/Moon River)
- Ray Santisi (Roster included Diana Krall)
- Bill Conti (Rocky theme)
- Madame Chaloff (Roster included Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock)
- Herb Pomeroy (Invented the jazz scale) and many others.
Alex moved to Austin, Tx in 1998 where he discovered his greatest enjoyment and passion is teaching Piano and Composition.
His unique teaching style of incorporating composition, performance and music technology with a relaxed sense of humor earned Alex the moniker the Cool Piano Teacher by his students. The name stuck.
Alex attributes his success as a teacher to his own love for learning and daily self study believing that his own passion for continuous learning is the best student motivator. This belief is supported by his many Student Success Stories.
Who is the Cool Piano Teacher?
As the youngest in a home of several foster kids, I had no particular talents that stood out from my older siblings or so I believed. One special day would change everything & become the turning point of my life.
Christmas Day at 9 years old
As I gazed wide-eyed at my new toy piano a light turned on in my brain & spirit. To this day I vividly recall Christmas songs playing over the radio as I immediately began playing along plucking out the melodies by ear. It was like introducing fish to water. Witnessing this small phenomenon my mom encouraged me to start lessons with Mrs. Mosley the next door piano teacher. The rest is history.
Like a sponge, I soaked up the lessons Mr's M. offered but quickly outgrew them. Putting my musical well being before her bottom line Mrs. M. gladly guided me into a weekend study program at Berklee College of Music with far more advanced contemporary instruction. This hit the target.
The confidence, discipline & affirmation gained through piano inspired me to also take up boxing & weight training around age 13. This, in turn, taught me the value of balancing fitness with my passion for piano which carried through to this day.
By the time my HS graduation arrived Berklee had already offered me a full-ride 4-year piano scholarship. Four years later with a Jazz Performance degree in hand, I moved on to L.A. studying Comp. & Arrang. at The Dick Grove School with some of the world's top names in the music industry.
Ever since that first lesson I've known a life of joyful purpose. I've also earned a great living doing what I love as a performer, composer & teacher. The piano has navigated me through many a storm & has enabled me to share this joy with countless students. Many of those students now do the same as teachers.
So yes, a simple starter keyboard saved me from a life of settling for a "Job" just to pay the bills.
A special thanks to both my foster parents & little ole Mrs. M who made it all possible with their support & encouragement.
Christmas Day at 9 years old
As I gazed wide-eyed at my new toy piano a light turned on in my brain & spirit. To this day I vividly recall Christmas songs playing over the radio as I immediately began playing along plucking out the melodies by ear. It was like introducing fish to water. Witnessing this small phenomenon my mom encouraged me to start lessons with Mrs. Mosley the next door piano teacher. The rest is history.
Like a sponge, I soaked up the lessons Mr's M. offered but quickly outgrew them. Putting my musical well being before her bottom line Mrs. M. gladly guided me into a weekend study program at Berklee College of Music with far more advanced contemporary instruction. This hit the target.
The confidence, discipline & affirmation gained through piano inspired me to also take up boxing & weight training around age 13. This, in turn, taught me the value of balancing fitness with my passion for piano which carried through to this day.
By the time my HS graduation arrived Berklee had already offered me a full-ride 4-year piano scholarship. Four years later with a Jazz Performance degree in hand, I moved on to L.A. studying Comp. & Arrang. at The Dick Grove School with some of the world's top names in the music industry.
Ever since that first lesson I've known a life of joyful purpose. I've also earned a great living doing what I love as a performer, composer & teacher. The piano has navigated me through many a storm & has enabled me to share this joy with countless students. Many of those students now do the same as teachers.
So yes, a simple starter keyboard saved me from a life of settling for a "Job" just to pay the bills.
A special thanks to both my foster parents & little ole Mrs. M who made it all possible with their support & encouragement.
Creative Piano Has Taught Me...
- How to focus
- How to relax
- How to express emotion in a healthy way
- How to utilize the creative imagination
- How to explore everything
- How to value the journey over the destination
- How to be fearless
- How to recognize patterns & math in everything
- Self-discipline
- Patience
- How to handle frustration
- How to push through adversity
- The rewards of consistency & sticktoitiveness
- How to succeed financially doing only what you love
- How to meditate
- How to be humble
- That every mountain conquered simply gives a better view of the next two to climb
- How to teach while learning at the same time
- How to harness the power of introspection
- How to play well with others
- The importance of staying fit to improve performance and enjoy the ride
- How to choose words (notes) carefully before speaking (playing) & the list goes on ...
Why I teach.
- I've dedicated my life to teaching piano because I love to learn which in turn inspires students to excel. It's as simple as that.Many of my students have become successful recording artists, composers, and teachers (Pics posted on the home page).Many have applied the lessons learned to become successful professionals in other fields yet they still love sitting at the piano to this day. I know this because I now teach some of their kids.
What can I pass on to you as a parent?
- One single piano lesson can improve a young life forever. With the right teacher, it absolutely will.
What can I say to you as an adult student?
- I wish for you the same stress relief & joy that piano has provided me for so many decades.
