Why UPC?
Our Mission
The Utah Piano Conservatory was founded in 2014 to offer piano education in a faith-based environment. Our mission is to provide exceptional music education through the simultaneous development of Talent and Testimony, the dual pillars of instruction at Utah Piano Conservatory.
We look forward to serving and sharing music with your family. Come join the Utah Piano Conservatory in our goal of “Tuning hearts through music.”
A Letter From the Director
Dear Conservatory Families (and prospective families)—
As defined by Webster in 1828, a conservatory is a place for the preservation of a desired state, and the assurance that something of great value is not lost, does not experience decay or injury, and is not wasted. Applied to our efforts with music education, this title for our piano school helps to encapsulate the vision of Utah Piano Conservatory. We are not only in the business of providing “lessons”—rather, we are devoting the entire mission of our family, our business, our whole lives and daily efforts to preserving the art of complete musicianship, and then sharing that gift abundantly.
This all-out effort to elevate the state of music in individuals, families and our community is founded upon a desire to glorify God and to give thanks to Him for the talents, blessings and opportunities he has abundantly given to each of us. The Utah Piano Conservatory is devoted to building pianists who are raised up in both TALENT and TESTIMONY, the two pillars of instruction for each of our conservatory programs.
I encourage our faculty and our entire community of conservatory families to take heed from the Book of Mormon passage in Nephi 32:9:
“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always… that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.”
Performance opportunities—when combined with prayer and the guidance of the Spirit—can refine an individual in unique ways, whether in the practice room or the performance hall. Our family has selected music as the specific tool for helping our children develop not only their talents, but also the interwoven qualities that come from exercising that daily habit, including self-discipline, respect, refinement, work ethic, service, time management, self-government, gratitude, sensitivity, spirituality and obedience. Hence our conservatory tag line, “Tuning hearts through music,” which builds upon the roots of our family business. It all began with a single piano tuning hammer in 1995 and has become what you now see today housed in our beautiful 23,500 SF building, home to Brigham Larson Pianos and Utah Piano Conservatory.
As we partner with faculty and parents alike to shape musicians in both talent and testimony, my hope is that we all can draw nearer to Christ by remembering to place Him at the foundation of all we do through practice, performance and service through music. May we each become instruments in the hands of God and in gratitude praise Him as Bach did, as he penned on every blank page prior to composing, “Soli Deo Gloria” (Glory to God alone).
Praying and cheering for each of our pianists,
Karmel Larson
Director at Utah Piano Conservatory
Our Standards of Excellence
The following statements express the goals we have for each of our students, regardless of age, level, or other status:
I am developing talent and testimony
Piano Academy students recognize that their musical talent is a gift from God. Students come to understand their unique opportunity to share their testimony through music.
I am not only a pianist, I am a musician
Piano Academy students become well-rounded, high-caliber musicians who are prepared to serve in Church callings and in their communities for years to come.
I prepare my best for every performance
Piano Academy students perform in formal and informal settings, understanding that performance is the highest level of preparation and celebration of musical gifts and talents.
I practice every day
Piano Academy students understand that daily focused practice is essential to progress. They return to weekly lessons prepared for new goals and assignments. Students progress and are rewarded for their achievements.
I am reaching my full musical potential
The parent-teacher-student triangle encourages learning on every side. Parents provide lessons and practice time for their children; teachers give feedback, guidance, and inspiration; students multiply their talents through hard work and a willingness to learn.