Elgin piano teacher expands business

Virginia Smith said she starting playing piano as soon as she could crawl up onto the piano bench.

That was more than 35 years ago.

For the last 17 years or so, she has made a career out of teaching others the instrument that has brought her life so much joy.

Though like most kids Smith sometimes dreaded her weekly piano lessons, she never wavered from her conviction that music would be her life.

“It's what I enjoy more than anything,” Smith said. “I have other hobbies, but music is just totally, totally it for me. It's what I love.”

Smith grew up in Elgin but has lived throughout the Fox Valley over the years, recently moving from Geneva to open a teaching studio in Elgin's downtown — Kerygma Piano. Last year on one of her days off, Smith visited Elgin and realized it felt right here.

The same day she rented an office in the Professional Building. For a while she balanced two studios but is now fully dedicated to growing her business in Elgin.

“Geneva just never felt like home to me,” Smith said. “I just love the diversity of people and ideas here. And the arts are wonderful.”

Smith has enjoyed the camaraderie of working in a building full of other artists and teaching in a beautiful second-floor studio.

Smith said Kerygma means “voice of truth” in Greek. She chose the name because she considers music a truthful expression and strives to give her students a voice by helping them play.

But beyond her students, music gives Smith a voice and a way to communicate.

“Playing piano and singing is a form of talking,” Smith said. “It's like one means of expression that I've had ever since I was very little. It's something that's part of me.”

Smith will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in her second-floor studio at the Professional Building, 164 Division St., where anyone who signs up for lessons will get 50 percent off the first month. Costumes are welcome, but not required.

Smith teaches anyone from 5 years old to adults every day of the week except Wednesdays. Her plan is to be in Elgin long-term, growing her studio and investing in more mixing and recording equipment. As a singer/songwriter in addition to pianist, Smith wants to take her own work to the next level while bringing her students along.

She foresees local performances that reach beyond a typical recital using electronics to augment the live shows.

Find Kerygma Piano on Facebook or visit kerygmapiano.wordpress.com for more information about Smith's “relaxed and fun” style.