PIANO FOR SPECIAL KIDZ
Learning and growing though music
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| Testimonials |
Our daughter, Leah, was born premature at 26 weeks and did not have just one disability
against her. She was extremely delayed in speech, fine and gross motor skills. She did not
walk until 4 years old and had very little memory retention. We wanted desperately as
parents to try and give her every chance we could to someday make her life as easy as
possible. We had heard that music and piano may help her with right and left coordination
and with delayed processing. It has done all these things.
What we had not expected, but as parents want to cry every time we think about these is
that it has built self-esteem. It has given her the piano and it is hers. There were many
times that Leah wanted to quit. Dee Cucinotta has been one of the angels given to us to
help Leah. You will not find any other teacher that is as committed, talented and as caring
as Dee. We are living proof that piano has given Leah her place and direction in life.
The Cerrones for Leah 13
(Leah began piano lessons at age 7)
Dee is the kind of teacher who goes "that extra mile" for her pupils. Her approach
encompasses the whole person's strengths, specific needs and, ultimately, potential when it
comes to learning and playing/performing on the piano. There is a genuine, lasting
enrichment her approach (through music) provides to the pupil's life experience in its
entirety as well. Russell's mom is particularly grateful for her sensitive work with Russell
over the past two years.
Paul Sulzmann for Russell 35
(Russell began piano lessons at age 33)
We have two children, Abby and Benny, who both take piano lessons with Dee. Dee has
been wonderful with teaching the kids piano and helping to address behavioral issues.
Abby and Benny have come such a long way and continue to impress us with their ability to
learn and play the piano. It amazed us to see how quickly they both learned to play and
understand the basics of playing the piano. Although there are some struggles along the
way, Dee gets us through each one.
Dee has been such a great support for Abby and Benny and for us as parents as well to
help us all through the behavioral challenges we have met. Whenever a situation arises,
she is there to guide us through with much success. Dee works with each child's strengths
and uses an approach that is unique for each child that she works with. Since we have two
children taking piano lessons with Dee, it is amazing to see how well she can work with both
of them, each having their own needs and behavioral challenges.
In June 2010, Abby and Benny played in their first piano recital. They both did a fabulous
job. This was such a great opportunity for both of them. We were so proud of them for
being able to play so well and in front of so many people. Benny tends to be very shy in
large groups so this was a great accomplishment for him. As parents with special needs
children, this is such a great moment to be proud of. Our hearts literally melted with joy as
they both had their own moments in the spotlight where they both shined, thanks to Dee.
We are so thankful for Dee and her dedication to help both Abby and Benny to succeed.
From the Proud Parents of Abby & Benny
(Abby began piano lessons at age 8; Benny began piano lessons at age 6)
As the father of an autistic son, Chris, I was encouraged when my wife said she had found a
piano teacher for challenged and disabled children. My wife wanted to know if we could
afford it. I told her we'll never know unless we give him lessons and find out. We paid for
the lessons and believed God would help us find the funds to continue.
Chris started but didn't like to practice, but his mother kept after him to practice. As time
passed he began to improve and catch on to what Ms. Dee was trying to teach him. We
then discovered he responded to praise and began to do better and he seemed to like it.
We continued to support him for the next three years, giving him praise and pushing him to
practice. Eventually he began to advance.
Ms. Dee was patient and persistent as he increased his piano skills. At times I considered it
not the effort, but my wife said let's keep going he's doing well. He played at the recitals
and did very well. At times he would rebel and not practice but Ms. Dee would keep working
with him. Apparently, she saw something in him that she could develop. As the months
went by he started to use both hands and play more complex pieces. I can say Ms. Dee
and I at different times would have given up, but she never gave up on Chris. Chris now
plays very well. He has mastered all the basics and has advanced to more complicated
pieces. I now know it was worth every penny plus having the time with Chris. Chris has
been taught well by Ms. Dee and thanks to her persistence, our Chris now has a very
strong working knowledge and use of music and the piano.
The Sumners for Chris 17
(Chris began piano lessons at age 13)
Dee, You have been so wonderful these past 5 years, and Charlie has certainly learned a
lot from you. He has made definite progress recently. You have also been a great help to
Chuck and me in terms of giving advice and being supportive. There will be plenty of
struggles that Charlie will have in life. But, I see that he was able to work for 5 years at
something that is very challenging for him and I look at that as a positive. I hope you know
how much we truly appreciate all you have done for Charlie and for us.
The Hoffmans for Charlie 10
(Charlie began piano lessons at age 5)
against her. She was extremely delayed in speech, fine and gross motor skills. She did not
walk until 4 years old and had very little memory retention. We wanted desperately as
parents to try and give her every chance we could to someday make her life as easy as
possible. We had heard that music and piano may help her with right and left coordination
and with delayed processing. It has done all these things.
What we had not expected, but as parents want to cry every time we think about these is
that it has built self-esteem. It has given her the piano and it is hers. There were many
times that Leah wanted to quit. Dee Cucinotta has been one of the angels given to us to
help Leah. You will not find any other teacher that is as committed, talented and as caring
as Dee. We are living proof that piano has given Leah her place and direction in life.
The Cerrones for Leah 13
(Leah began piano lessons at age 7)
Dee is the kind of teacher who goes "that extra mile" for her pupils. Her approach
encompasses the whole person's strengths, specific needs and, ultimately, potential when it
comes to learning and playing/performing on the piano. There is a genuine, lasting
enrichment her approach (through music) provides to the pupil's life experience in its
entirety as well. Russell's mom is particularly grateful for her sensitive work with Russell
over the past two years.
Paul Sulzmann for Russell 35
(Russell began piano lessons at age 33)
We have two children, Abby and Benny, who both take piano lessons with Dee. Dee has
been wonderful with teaching the kids piano and helping to address behavioral issues.
Abby and Benny have come such a long way and continue to impress us with their ability to
learn and play the piano. It amazed us to see how quickly they both learned to play and
understand the basics of playing the piano. Although there are some struggles along the
way, Dee gets us through each one.
Dee has been such a great support for Abby and Benny and for us as parents as well to
help us all through the behavioral challenges we have met. Whenever a situation arises,
she is there to guide us through with much success. Dee works with each child's strengths
and uses an approach that is unique for each child that she works with. Since we have two
children taking piano lessons with Dee, it is amazing to see how well she can work with both
of them, each having their own needs and behavioral challenges.
In June 2010, Abby and Benny played in their first piano recital. They both did a fabulous
job. This was such a great opportunity for both of them. We were so proud of them for
being able to play so well and in front of so many people. Benny tends to be very shy in
large groups so this was a great accomplishment for him. As parents with special needs
children, this is such a great moment to be proud of. Our hearts literally melted with joy as
they both had their own moments in the spotlight where they both shined, thanks to Dee.
We are so thankful for Dee and her dedication to help both Abby and Benny to succeed.
From the Proud Parents of Abby & Benny
(Abby began piano lessons at age 8; Benny began piano lessons at age 6)
As the father of an autistic son, Chris, I was encouraged when my wife said she had found a
piano teacher for challenged and disabled children. My wife wanted to know if we could
afford it. I told her we'll never know unless we give him lessons and find out. We paid for
the lessons and believed God would help us find the funds to continue.
Chris started but didn't like to practice, but his mother kept after him to practice. As time
passed he began to improve and catch on to what Ms. Dee was trying to teach him. We
then discovered he responded to praise and began to do better and he seemed to like it.
We continued to support him for the next three years, giving him praise and pushing him to
practice. Eventually he began to advance.
Ms. Dee was patient and persistent as he increased his piano skills. At times I considered it
not the effort, but my wife said let's keep going he's doing well. He played at the recitals
and did very well. At times he would rebel and not practice but Ms. Dee would keep working
with him. Apparently, she saw something in him that she could develop. As the months
went by he started to use both hands and play more complex pieces. I can say Ms. Dee
and I at different times would have given up, but she never gave up on Chris. Chris now
plays very well. He has mastered all the basics and has advanced to more complicated
pieces. I now know it was worth every penny plus having the time with Chris. Chris has
been taught well by Ms. Dee and thanks to her persistence, our Chris now has a very
strong working knowledge and use of music and the piano.
The Sumners for Chris 17
(Chris began piano lessons at age 13)
Dee, You have been so wonderful these past 5 years, and Charlie has certainly learned a
lot from you. He has made definite progress recently. You have also been a great help to
Chuck and me in terms of giving advice and being supportive. There will be plenty of
struggles that Charlie will have in life. But, I see that he was able to work for 5 years at
something that is very challenging for him and I look at that as a positive. I hope you know
how much we truly appreciate all you have done for Charlie and for us.
The Hoffmans for Charlie 10
(Charlie began piano lessons at age 5)
When I was looking for a piano program for my autistic granddaughter, Katy, I was told by a
parent that comes to our 4-H program about a place in East Greenbush, NY run by a
woman named Dee Cucinotta. This was the beginning of our walk with our beloved "Miss
Dee"! Our Katy thrives on structure and kindness...a tough combination to find. Miss Dee is
all about that!
When we first started in 2009 our Katy wouldn't play the piano in front of any on us. She
kept this special talent under wraps for about 18 months. It was like opening a beautiful gift
to be able to go into her piano lesson and listen to her play her favorite tunes! She has
played in several recitals now and it is truly the highlight of her life! She gets into her "piano
dress" and gets all serious about the performance. Her teacher at her school even says
she plays the piano in her class twice a week during music therapy, and really gets into it!!
To see your loved one that is so disabled in so many ways actually learn notes, and put
them into music is awesome! I know the exercise of her brain using the piano is so
beneficial to her. Every time she advances socially, I look at my husband and say it's all of
that piano playing that is helping her to succeed!! Without our Miss Dee all this would never
have happened.
The Olsens for Katy 8
(Katy began piano lessons at age 6)
parent that comes to our 4-H program about a place in East Greenbush, NY run by a
woman named Dee Cucinotta. This was the beginning of our walk with our beloved "Miss
Dee"! Our Katy thrives on structure and kindness...a tough combination to find. Miss Dee is
all about that!
When we first started in 2009 our Katy wouldn't play the piano in front of any on us. She
kept this special talent under wraps for about 18 months. It was like opening a beautiful gift
to be able to go into her piano lesson and listen to her play her favorite tunes! She has
played in several recitals now and it is truly the highlight of her life! She gets into her "piano
dress" and gets all serious about the performance. Her teacher at her school even says
she plays the piano in her class twice a week during music therapy, and really gets into it!!
To see your loved one that is so disabled in so many ways actually learn notes, and put
them into music is awesome! I know the exercise of her brain using the piano is so
beneficial to her. Every time she advances socially, I look at my husband and say it's all of
that piano playing that is helping her to succeed!! Without our Miss Dee all this would never
have happened.
The Olsens for Katy 8
(Katy began piano lessons at age 6)