meet Samantha

Samantha Steitz, a Manhattan native, began her piano studies at four years old and went on to study at Mannes Prep, Scripps College, and in Vienna, Austria, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. After building a successful piano studio in Los Angeles, she relocated to Graz, Austria in 2017, where she now runs a boutique piano studio. In addition to her teaching, Samantha is the author of Rhythm Keeper and co-founder of Musikal Husky, a brand dedicated to developing fun and effective pedagogical materials. She enjoys an education-rich life with her percussionist husband, Steve Aho, two young daughters, Saskia and Klara, and their two (now geriatric, still sweet) dogs, Cleo and Leika.

Samantha's pedagogical framework is built on the belief that children thrive when they are held to high expectations while also receiving strong support from their environment, including an excellent team of teachers and parents. She emphasizes that home should be a place of learning, where a cozy, nurturing atmosphere encourages growth and curiosity. As Dr. Suzuki famously said, "Children learn to smile from their parents," highlighting the profound impact of a supportive, engaged family. By fostering a warm and inviting space for learning, Samantha aims to create cherished memories that will stay with her students for a lifetime.