Experienced tutor in Piano in Minneapolis, Russell offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

My daughter loves her weekly lesson with Russ! Not only is he a superb musician, he is kind and thoughtful and works well with children. My daughter has grown so much in her years working with Russ - it is wonderful to see her progress.

A masterful pianist and jazz musician in general, and a caring, creative, patient teacher. I can't imagine my four sons ever outgrowing him, and he has become a beloved family friend. My eldest two sons, ages 10 and 12, have become accomplished well beyond their peers who are learning to play piano from other teachers. In fact, they seem to be many years ahead of their peers, and their technique is better. Russ is a star at breaking down every concept in a way they easily understand, can practice independently, and then master under Russ’s guidance. I have never seen anyone play so masterfully who is also able to teach his craft as well as Russ. He is personable and fun, and my boys LOVE their lessons. Russ can teach any style of piano well, from jazz piano to classical piano, to pop...anything. He can also compose music. For instance, the only piano music we could find for the well loved jazz piece “Linus and Lucy” didn’t include the descant, so Russ whipped one up for us and figured out where to insert it! It sounds amazing! Russ is also currently teaching my son two classical pieces by Mozart and Rachhmaninoff. He can teach any style at any ability level. I can’t wait to take lessons from him myself after my boys grow up!

Russ Kaplan was our about-to-turn-seven-year-old daughter's first piano teacher. She came to him with virtually no knowledge of the piano and the freewheeling energy of a first-grader. Russ's patience and even-keeled discipline transformed her into a child who could sit at the piano for half an hour and learn a song.