About
Nicole A. Burns
Director of Burns Piano Studio in Camarillo, California. A nationally recognized Independent Music Teacher, Adjudicator, and Lecturer with over 40 years of experience — teaching all levels of piano from early beginner through advanced.
At a glance: Nicole A. Burns is the Director and sole proprietor of Burns Piano Studio in Camarillo, CA. Forty-plus years teaching all levels of piano, with a longstanding specialty in students with neurological and developmental differences — autism, spina bifida, ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory processing disorders. She serves as a National Adjudicator/Evaluator for the American College of Musicians and the National Federation of Music Clubs, President of VCFMC, Board Director of the Pleasant Valley–Ventura County MTAC, and Ventura County Chair of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Enrollment is by wait-list.
"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."
Specialization: adaptive piano instruction
Across four decades, Nicole has developed deep experience teaching students with autism, spina bifida, ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory processing disorders. Her approach is strengths-based, patient, and built around what each student does naturally — never clinical, never pitying. Learn more about adaptive piano lessons →
Credentials are being reviewed and will appear here as Nicole approves each.
Published writing
- "Designing Studio Policies That Work for Everyone: A Model for Professional and Pedagogical Success" — The California Music Teacher, 2025, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 16–18.
- "Is Music Related to Health?" — The California Music Teacher, Vol. 27, No. 2.
Students participate in
- MTAC Certificate of Merit (annual statewide evaluation)
- Piano Guild National Auditions (American College of Musicians)
- NFMC Junior Festivals
- Southern California Junior Bach Festival
- Branch competitions and recitals (Pleasant Valley–Ventura County MTAC)
Contact
Email BurnsPianoStudio@aol.com. For new-student inquiries, please complete a wait-list interview request.