Transformational Approach to Piano (TAP System)
Diana Mascari is a passionate composer, jazz pianist, and dedicated piano teacher located in Southbury, CT. With a rich background in creating original compositions and extensive experience performing jazz, she brings a unique blend of artistry and education to everything she does.
All these dimensions of her experience inform each other and offer her students deeper insight into their own musical growth.
As a piano teacher, Diana is dedicated to helping each student grow musically with confidence and creativity. Her teaching blends traditional piano technique with innovative, student-centered methods, allowing each person to build a strong foundation while also exploring their own musical interests. Diana creates a supportive, engaging learning environment where students feel encouraged to progress at their own pace. Many of her students have been with her for over a decade, a reflection of the trust and connection she fosters in every lesson.
To find out more about piano lessons with Diana, click here:
As a composition teacher, Diana works closely with each student to unlock their creative potential and develop a personal musical language. With decades of experience as a composer and educator, she offers thoughtful guidance in melody, harmony, form, and expression—always tailored to the student’s background and goals. Whether you're new to writing music or returning to it after years away, Diana provides a flexible, inspiring space where ideas can take shape and grow. Her students value the individualized attention and long-term support she brings to every session.
To explore composition lessons with Diana, click here:
Diana's Experience as a Jazz Pianist
How It Benefits Both Her Piano and Composition Students
Diana’s lifelong experience as a jazz pianist has given her a unique and powerful foundation for teaching both piano and composition. Immersed in the dynamic world of jazz, she developed not only technical fluency and expressive depth, but also the ability to respond musically in the moment—a skill that greatly benefits her students. Whether demonstrating a concept, guiding a student’s creative process, or helping them solve a musical challenge on the spot, Diana draws on years of improvisation to adapt with insight and spontaneity.
Her deep understanding of music theory, combined with practical, real-time musical instincts, allows her to help students make meaningful connections between sound, structure, and expression. This blend of jazz intuition and classical grounding enables her to support each student with clarity, flexibility, and creativity—whether they’re exploring the keyboard or composing original music.
To watch Diana's Piano Performance videos:
Diana Mascari Plays:
On Green Dolphin Street
Why I Teach Piano and Composition
Listening to the music I love has always brought me deep joy. It continues to inspire and energize me—whether I’m playing the piano or creating a new piece of music. I feel more alive, more grounded, and more connected. Teaching gives me the chance to share that joy and help others rediscover—or discover for the first time—the richness that music can bring to daily life.
I especially love working with adults who are returning to the piano after many years, or beginning their musical journey after playing a different instrument in the past. Whether you’re interested in developing your piano skills, learning to compose your own music, or both, I’ll meet you where you are—with patience, encouragement, and guidance tailored just for you.
Over time, I’ve seen how learning music brings more than skill—it brings confidence, creativity, and a renewed sense of self. Many of my students tell me that music has become a source of joy and meaning in their lives—and a way of expressing something uniquely their own.
If that sounds like something you’re ready to explore, I invite you to take the next step by scheduling your free 30-minute consultation on Zoom. I’d love to hear your story—and help you begin (or begin again) your musical journey.
The hundreds of hours I spent performing as a solo jazz pianist enabled me to define my own style into an effective teaching method. TAP is a proven method of teaching piano which has evolved from my multi-faceted musical career. TAP makes it possible for me to help students reach their individual goals more quickly and successfully.
