The Black Forest Academy of Music. LLC

Miss Dixie is a most wonderful teacher for students of all ages, loves her students as if they were her own children, and has more music education and piano talent than anyone I have ever met. She has been teaching my daughter for over 3 years starting in middle school, and I can not sing Miss Dixie's praises enough for what she has taught my daughter. My daughter loves her time with Miss Dixie and has a special bond with her. I highly recommend her.

My 7-year-old daughter started piano with Dixie about a year ago, and we couldn’t be happier that we chose Dixie (and that she had an opening!). Dixie is wonderful at setting a strong foundation for piano, while also making it fun. She has a very well-organized program that incorporates every part of learning piano: theory, sight reading, counting beats, learning all notes on the entire piano, understanding the clefs, and understanding dynamic. She also makes the real heart of piano an integral part of regular lessons: relevant songs that kids love. Dixie really is amazing. In addition to being a strong musician herself and knowing how to teach piano, she truly cares about each student she teaches. This was perhaps the most important element for me when I was interviewing piano teachers for my daughter. Dixie values children (including teenagers!) for who they are, and she understands how to teach kids and help them grow musically while simultaneously making sure she supports their emotional needs. In other words, she won't traumatize kids. She really loves kids and wants them to be happy and love music and grow as a pianist.

I am so thankful for Dixie. We moved to the area two years ago and I was looking for a piano teacher that would be willing to work with my then 3 year old and feel comfortable with his severe speech delay. Dixie was up for the challenge and took the time to meet with us and have a mini lesson to put my concerns at ease and meet my son. She was kind and patient. We didn't hesitate to begin working with her. She is truly amazing! My son continues to work with Dixie on a weekly basis and he is quite the little piano player. Dixie has fostered my son's love for the piano. He often plays just for pure enjoyment and likes to create his own pieces and shares them with Dixie.

The one star review for Dixie is completely unfair knowing the COVID-19 and weather challenges that night. I can say without pause that Dixie goes above and beyond to support her students and give them the very best experience. My son has had 3 performances and he is excited to perform in every one of them.

Thank you Dixie for molding my little piano player. We look forward to working with you for years to come!

What an amazing studio! This is not your “neighborhood piano teacher”! Dixie Shipp-Napier is a professional at every level. Her ability to instruct from the very beginner to the advanced learner is what she does best. She instills the love and the art of music!

Dixie has many years of experience not only in music but with kids of all ages. Dixie loves what she does and goes above and beyond to help the kids be the best they can be. Her piano studio is her family. My daughter studied piano and voice with Dixie for 13 years. Dixie was always more than happy to help her excel in music at school as well. Dixie is also part of the Royal Conservatory of Music and thanks to her teaching, mentoring, and encouragement, my daughter always scored very well on the Royal Conservatory exams. Although my daughter just performed at her last piano concert, she will always feel like she is a part of Dixie’s studio family. With 2020 being a crazy year, Dixie moved heaven and earth to make sure this year’s studio concert happened. It wasn’t easy (outdoors due to COVID-19 and bad weather) but she did it for her students. In return the parents and students made every effort to put their best foot forward and make it a good night. Thank you for a great 13 years!