Piano lessons in Utrecht, taught in English
Ready for piano lessons where real progress happens, whether you're just starting out or tired of playing the same pieces year after year? I will guide and challenge you to reach for the goals of playing the piano with sound technique and beautiful musicianship. Lessons run 45 or 60 minutes, and your first lesson is free. Book it today and hear the difference for yourself.
Craig Ralston is a piano teacher in Utrecht with a Doctor of Musical Arts and over 30 years of stage experience as a pianist.
Last updated: July 2026
Who is this piano lesson for?
For everyone, from complete beginners to conservatory candidates.
As a beginner, you'll play real music from your very first lesson, no pages of finger exercises. If you're further along, we'll work on technique, interpretation, and repertoire at the level you need, whether that's for an exam, an audition, or simply a performance where you want to shine.
Craig Ralston prepares students for the Royal Schools of Music examinations, in which he himself earned the highest certificates. Adult beginners are explicitly welcome.
What do the lessons look like?
Weekly lessons of 45 or 60 minutes take place in Craig's home studio, on a grand piano.
Each lesson combines technique, repertoire, and listening. Classical forms the foundation, but pop, jazz, and film music are just as much a part of the repertoire, to follow your taste and goals.
You can also combine piano lessons with singing lessons or music theory and composition, same teacher, same studio.
How much do music lessons cost?
A 45-minute lesson costs €40 and a 60-minute lesson €50, with your first lesson free. Prices include VAT where it applies; lessons for students under 21 are VAT-exempt.
The difference in price is the teacher. Much of the piano teaching in Utrecht is done by students and hobbyists; at Ralston Music you study with a doctorate-level musician who taught at universities and judges international competitions. The free first lesson lets you experience that difference yourself.
You can also combine piano lessons with voice lessons in Utrecht or with music theory and composition, with the same teacher in the same studio.
Is it hard to find an English-speaking piano teacher in Utrecht?
Yes, surprisingly hard: most piano teachers in Utrecht teach in Dutch, and lesson platforms list very few who teach comfortably in English.
That's exactly the gap Ralston Music fills. English is the studio's native language, not a workaround, which makes lessons straightforward for internationals, expat families and English-speaking students preparing for international exams or auditions.
Also at the studio
Besides piano lessons, Ralston Music also offers:
Voice lessons
Vocal technique, repertoire and performance. Including singing for the actor, a specialty you won't find anywhere else in Utrecht.
voice lessons in Utrecht →Music theory & composition
From reading music to harmony and writing your own pieces, taught by a composer with a doctorate in the subject.
music theory and composition lessons in Utrecht →Online lessons
The same hour of undivided attention, at your own instrument, wherever you are. Any time zone, same rates.
online piano and voice lessons →Frequently asked questions about piano lessons
Is there an English-speaking piano teacher in Utrecht?
Yes. Craig Ralston teaches piano in Utrecht entirely in English, from his home studio. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a master's in piano performance.
Can my child take piano lessons at Ralston Music?
Yes, children are welcome from around age 5. Craig holds a bachelor's degree in music education and has decades of experience with young beginners.
Can adults still learn to play the piano?
Yes. Many of Craig's students are adults, including people in their sixties and seventies playing for the first time. Lessons are paced around your goals.
Does Craig prepare students for exams and auditions?
Yes. Craig prepares students for the Royal Schools of Music examinations and for auditions. He judges international music competitions himself.
The first lesson is free
Come by, play or sing something you love, and tell me where you'd like to go. Then decide if it's the right fit for you.
or use the contact form · Replies usually within a day.