At Stolen Time we offer private piano lessons in Thornbury to adults ready to pick up what they never quite finished ... or maybe never began
Book lessons when they work for you, learn at a pace that respects the fact you have an actual life, and work with a teacher who knows how important it is to have a creative outlet at the end of the day.
For the forty-five minutes you are at the piano, there's nothing else to think about. That's the point.
rubato / ru·ba·to
noun, Italian — literally "stolen time." In musical performance, the subtle, expressive push and pull of tempo — momentarily slowing or hastening the pace of a phrase, then recovering the lost time elsewhere — used to bring feeling and flexibility to a piece without disrupting its overall pulse.
Piano lessons built for adults, not adapted for them
Most music schools are designed for kids. They run on school terms, fixed weekly lessons, and a syllabus built with exams in mind. This system works for younger students, but it wasn't made for the adult learner.
The one who had lessons as a kid and has been wanting to find a way to get back into it. The professional who's owned a piano for a decade and it's been nothing more than an expensive piece of furniture because they never learned to play it. The parent who spent years driving their own kids to lessons and is finally ready to learn themselves.
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Stolen Time was created to teach a different type of piano learner. Here's how it works…
Prelude, Sonata, or Concerto — pick the pack that matches how far you want to take it. Not sure where to start? Overture is our intro pack, and it lets you try three lessons (for the price of two) to see if we're a good fit.
Once you've got a pack, book your lessons online, whenever suits you. Come weekly if you're looking for a set routine, fortnightly if life gets busy, or twice in one week if you work shift work and that's what suits. Book any time that works for you, you can change week-to-week, there's no fixed slot.
Each lesson runs for 45 minutes and is one-on-one, entirely focussed on you. You'll learn at a pace that works for you, and the pieces you want to learn.
Who you'll be learning with
Veronica Ferraro
Veronica has been comfortable on a piano stool since she was 4 years old, and by seventeen was already teaching others how to play. The students she has always loved teaching the most were the adults; the ones discovering music later in life, or the ones looking for a reason to just play again.
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Veronica has completed her Grade Eight ANZCA Classical Piano exam (the highest grade level in the classical exam system) and spent twelve years teaching both privately and within music schools, working with children and adults alike.
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In 2021 she stepped away from teaching to build her own business. What she found once work took over, as it so often does, was that piano became her outlet, the part of her day that she turned to for a genuine break. The time where she could focus on nothing other than the keys beneath her fingertips. It didn't take long to realise other busy adults were likely craving the same thing, a creative outlet at the end of the day that allowed their mind a break from their to do list.
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Stolen Time was designed by someone who understands both sides of it; managing the demands of a business and career, and needing an outlet from it.
Intro Offer
"Overture" / Intro Offer
180
The perfect first step — three lessons for the price of two, so you can experience Stolen Time before committing further.
Valid for 12 months
3 x 45-minute one-on-one piano lessons for adults
Third lesson is free
One-time offer for new students
No pressure to commit beyond your first pack
"Prelude" / 5-pack
450
A gentle starting point — whether you're sitting down at the piano for the first time or finding your way back after years away.
Valid for 12 months
5 x 45 minute one-on-one piano lessons for adults
$90 per lesson
Great for beginners or returning players
Makes a thoughtful gift
"Sonata" / 10-Pack
850
For adults ready to move beyond the basics — build real confidence, sharpen technique, and start playing pieces that matter to you.
Valid for 12 months
10 x 45 minute adult one-on-one piano lessons
$85 per lesson
Build technique across multiple pieces
Best for steady, ongoing progress
"Concerto" / 20-Pack
1,600
For committed students in it for the long run — sustained progress, real skill-building, and space to tackle pieces once out of reach.
Valid for 12 months
20 x 45-minute one-on-one piano lessons for adults
$80 per lesson — best value per lesson
Genuine, long-term skill-building
Tackle the pieces you once thought impossible
Choose your pace
Every pack includes flexible, one-on-one lessons
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely, it's exactly who Stolen Time was built for. A lot of adult students are coming back after a break. We'll pick up wherever you left off.
Right at the beginning, with lessons paced properly for an adult learner. You'll learn how to read music, and build up to playing with both hands.
Lessons are held in a private home studio in Thornbury. You'll be sent the address once you've booked your first class.
Whatever you actually want to play. Lessons are built around your goals and taste, not a fixed syllabus, whether that's classical pieces you've always wanted to master, songs you love, or something you heard once and can't stop thinking about. You choose the music, and lessons are shaped around helping you actually play it.
Not a problem, you can reschedule or cancel through your online account up to 3 hours before your lesson start time. If you need to cancel with less notice than that, you'll need to get in touch with me directly. Please note, no-shows or lessons cancelled with less notice may need to be forfeited.
Yes, packs are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Definitely, lesson packs are a great gift for someone who's always wanted to learn piano. Get in touch with us to organise a pack on behalf of someone else.