We Turn Music
into Magic

Our daughter began studying with Mrs. Caruth at age five, and after more than 13 years together, we cannot imagine her musical journey without her. Cyndie has been more than a piano teacher - she has been a mentor who has inspired our daughter to strive for excellence while developing a lifelong love of music.

Under her guidance, our daughter won every IMTA District Piano Competition level she entered and became an MTNA National Duet Piano Competition finalist. While we are incredibly proud of those accomplishments, we know they are only part of the story. The greatest gift Cyndie has given her is a deep appreciation for music, a strong work ethic, and the confidence to pursue excellence. Cyndie always sought the very best opportunities for her students by encouraging summer music camps, bringing in guest teachers, and supporting participation in festivals and competitions because she believes these experiences create well-rounded musicians, and she works tirelessly to make those opportunities available.

This fall, our daughter will begin college at a polytechnic institute on the East Coast. Although she plans to major in chemical engineering while also playing collegiate soccer, she recently told us she is considering adding a music minor if she can balance everything. As parents, that conversation meant so much to us. Throughout the years, she often joked - and sometimes genuinely complained - about the demands of practicing and the year-round competition schedule. Yet as she prepares for this next chapter, she has also shared how thankful she is for everything Cyndie has done for her and how much she truly loves music, especially classical music. (Her playlists may also include plenty of country and rap, but classical music will always have a special place in her heart!)

We will always be grateful for Mrs. Caruth's patience, dedication, and unwavering belief in our daughter. She has made a lasting impact not only on our daughter's musical journey, but on the person she has become. We wholeheartedly recommend Mrs. Caruth to any family looking for a teacher who inspires excellence, nurtures a genuine love of music, and cares deeply about every student's future.

My daughter was six when she started piano lessons with Cyndie last year, and the progress she has made has exceeded my expectations. The private lessons are effective with plenty of short pieces that build her skills, and she always comes home with clear practice instructions. The group lessons help her gain confidence performing for audiences and learn to listen to and appreciate other students' performances.

She has learned several beautiful and enjoyable pieces that she has proudly performed at recitals, regional and state competitions, and for visiting family and friends. As a bonus, she has made two wonderful friends through piano lessons and always looks forward to seeing Cyndie.

Ms. Cyndie is a phenomenal music teacher! She has a heart of gold, and through her lessons, our son not only feels empowered and encouraged in his musicianship, but he feels safe, loved as well as called and capable to do amazing things!

Since our son has started studying this summer with Cyndie, the difference has been remarkable. Cyndie creates a learning environment that is both challenging and encouraging. Her ability is impressive in teaching both the art and the science of music. She encourages him to express emotions through his playing. At the same time, she pays close attention to the fundamentals, patiently refining his finger movements, hand position, and posture. She also explains the underlying music theory in a clear and engaging way, enabling him to understand not only how to play, but why the music is written and interpreted in a certain way.

Our son has blossomed under Mrs. Cyndie's mentorship. We have witnessed how his sight-reading capabilities and focus while performing for different audiences have improved substantially. Mrs. Cyndie's pedagogical approach is so nuanced, and she tailors each lesson to each student's learning style. She meets each student where they are across different learning levels.

Studying at Caruth Piano Studio has been by far one of the best decisions we've made for our daughter. Not only has she learned piano skills and theory, but she has also learned to organize her practice schedule, improve time management, and handle both success and setbacks.

Cyndie's instruction not only teaches excellence in piano, but life skills that apply to everything else our daughter is involved in. Our daughter has excelled under Cyndie's instruction and has reached a goal of being a winner in the IMTA district and state competitions.

We are incredibly grateful to have studied piano with such an amazing and dedicated teacher. As their truly first music teacher, Cyndie has helped our boys develop their technique, musicality, and confidence, and more importantly, a genuine love for piano and classical piano music. Thanks to her, our boys have become accomplished pianists, winning multiple piano competitions both at the district and state levels and continuing the piano journey well beyond graduation. We would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a piano teacher who is talented, devoted, and truly invested in helping students succeed.

Our family has been incredibly blessed to have Cyndie as our piano teacher. We have known her since 2015, when our daughter started taking lessons at age seven. This year, when our daughter graduated from high school, we reflected on how much piano has enriched her life - not only by developing her musical skills, but also by teaching her discipline, confidence, perseverance, and creativity.

Now our son is continuing that same musical journey with Cyndie, and we couldn't be more grateful. Cyndie's dedication and genuine care for her students have made a lasting impact on our family.

One of the things we appreciate most is how Cyndie encourages her students to grow beyond weekly lessons. She provides numerous opportunities to perform and participate in competitions and music festivals, allowing them to hone their musical skills, build confidence on stage, and receive valuable feedback from well-known musicians. These experiences have been instrumental in our children's musical development and have helped them become confident, well-rounded performers.

We wholeheartedly recommend Cyndie to anyone looking for an exceptional piano teacher who truly invests in her students' growth, both as musicians and as individuals.

Working with Cyndie has been an extraordinary experience. She is, without question, one of the most accomplished and high-achieving piano teachers in Iowa. Our daughter has studied with Cyndie for 9 years. Cyndie's deep knowledge of the instrument, paired with an unwavering commitment to excellence, sets her teaching apart.

What also makes Cyndie truly exceptional is the way she challenges her students. She sets high expectations - but more importantly, she equips her students with the tools, discipline, and confidence to rise to those expectations. She doesn't just teach technique or theory; she inspires a mindset of growth, resilience, and artistry. If you're looking for a piano teacher who will push you to reach your highest potential while fostering a deep love for music, look no further than Cyndie with Caruth Piano Studio.

One of the most valuable aspects of Caruth Piano Studio is the way Mrs. Caruth instills not only musical ability, but also discipline, focus, and respect - qualities that extend far beyond the piano. From the start, our child has been encouraged to take responsibility for their practice, arrive prepared, and treat their time at the studio with intention and care.

We deeply appreciate her thoughtful approach to teaching not only piano technique, but also the importance of proper etiquette and presentation. Before each recital, there is clear guidance on professional attire, with an emphasis on dressing modestly and appropriately for the occasion. Our child has learned the importance of grooming - keeping hair neatly styled and away from the face, understanding how personal appearance reflects respect for both the music and the audience.

Equally meaningful is the attention given to stage presence: from walking on and off the stage with poise, to bowing respectfully after a performance. These lessons in discipline, self-awareness, and respect have had a lasting impact on our child's confidence and character. We are truly grateful to be part of a studio that upholds such high standards in such a warm and encouraging environment.

I was a student of Cyndie's from 1994-1997 during my high school years. She has a remarkable ability to both motivate and encourage her students to use their talents to excel at the piano. Many years have passed since my time in Cyndie's studio, and the lessons she taught me on technique, theory, and commitment will stay with me forever.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to study under one of the best instructors in the Midwest! Moreover, I never realized that all those hours of practice would pay off. I am now part of a dueling piano act that performs at various functions throughout the state. See them at Grand Piano Bistro and other venues in the Des Moines and Iowa City areas.

Thanks, Cyndie, for your dedication!

I have known Cyndie Caruth for nearly ten years and admired her outstanding reputation for more than 25. As a fellow piano teacher, I trusted her enough to send my own daughter to study with her - an experience that enriched both my child's musical growth and my own teaching.

Cyndie's studio stands out for instilling not only strong musical skills, but also discipline, focus, and respect that extend far beyond the piano. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their practice, arrive prepared, and present themselves with professionalism. Her thoughtful emphasis on recital etiquette - appropriate dress, grooming, stage presence, and respectful bowing - teaches students confidence, poise, and self-awareness.

Her dedication, excellence, and passion have shaped countless students, many of whom go on to teach, perform, or simply treasure music for life. Cyndie is truly one of the most accomplished and respected piano teachers in Iowa and beyond.

My son has been taking piano lessons with Cyndie since he was 7, and now at 10, I continue to be amazed by the growth she has inspired in him. Cyndie has a special gift - not only as a teacher, but as an artist who brings music to life. She paints such a vivid and lively picture of each piece that my son doesn't just play the notes; he understands the emotion behind them.

Her passion for the piano is absolutely contagious, and it's clear that she pours her heart into every lesson. Thanks to her guidance, my son has learned to express his real feelings through his playing, and that's something truly special. We feel so fortunate to have her as his teacher.

I have known Cyndie Caruth for the past 30-plus years not just as a piano teacher, but as a mentor and a friend. As a teacher, she pushed and encouraged me to be the best I could possibly be. I knew at an early age my life would be centered around the piano. Cyndie knew how to cultivate my talent and desire for a music career, and she always went above and beyond what most teachers would consider the duty of a piano teacher.

I have always admired Cyndie's dedication and enthusiasm as a piano teacher. I remember one of my first lessons with Cyndie when I was 6 years old. She was teaching me how to use dynamics to make the music come to life. I tried again and again to get that crescendo right, and finally, on my 4th or 5th try, I must have done what she wanted because she got so excited and screamed "That's it!" so loud that I got startled right off the bench.

Many students considering a major in music might think they need to move on to a different teacher by junior high or high school to better prepare them for college. I spent all 12 of my years with Cyndie, up until going to Cincinnati to study at the College-Conservatory of Music. I have never once regretted her being my one and only piano teacher while growing up. I have since gone on to earn my BM and MM in piano performance from CCM.

I now have a family of my own and maintain a piano studio of 20 students in my home. Cyndie has taught me not only how to be a good pianist, but in that 12-year process, she taught me how to be a teacher. My greatest hope as a piano instructor now is that my students learn from me as much as I learned from her.

I graduated from high school at Bondurant-Farrar and moved from Des Moines, Iowa to Tulsa, Oklahoma for college to major in Piano Performance and pre-med. By far, being part of Cyndie's studio is one of the things I miss most about Iowa. It was such a great environment to learn to love music.

I give credit to Cyndie for cultivating my love of music. Not only did she teach me about how music works and the basics, but she kept me going when I would throw tantrums and threaten to quit. She was incredibly patient with me, for which I am eternally grateful. I would not be where I am now if it wasn't for her unfailing patience, along with her constant ability to push me to make myself better. I've always struggled with being motivated, but Cyndie knew exactly how to get me to kick things into gear. I've never been pushed as much as when I was in Cyndie's studio, and I look back now and wish all my teachers had pushed me to be better just as hard as Cyndie had.

All the other members support each other and are willing to listen to a performance or give a heartening word. I made several good friends in the studio, which made learning music so much more fun because Cyndie made it an active and engaging process by allowing and encouraging us to collaborate with others in the studio.

One thing that I feel needs to be mentioned is how much Cyndie genuinely cares for her students. My senior year, I suffered an injury to my left shoulder that greatly diminished my ability to play for about eight months. In that time, I struggled with coming to terms that my secret dream of playing professionally was over, and that in November of my senior year I was restarting my college search. Needless to say, it was a very stressful time for me. I can distinctly remember the one person who would not let me quit was Cyndie. I wanted to walk away and feel miserable, but she would not let me. She knew I was better than that and I would find a way to deal with my injury. She was right. At a time when I needed a hug the most, she gave me the hug, told me things would get better, and to not give up, then forced me to practice with my right hand. She would not let me quit, because she cared.

Cyndie is not only a very talented musician herself, but she has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in her students. I will always cherish the memories I have of being part of Cyndie's studio. I learned more than just how to read and interpret music; I learned a whole new form of communication, feeling, and love of something. Music is one of the greatest pleasures I have in my life, and I attribute Cyndie to bringing me that joy. She is a phenomenal lady, and one I count myself very lucky to have studied with.

Thank you Cyndie for everything.