Deena Neely

A love for the piano and music started at a very young age.  She began piano lessons at the age of 3 in Ponca City, OK where she studied privately for 17 years.  Her love has always been accompanying which include church services, solos, and choirs.  At every studio recital, Ms. Neely undoubtedly enjoys playing duets and ensembles with her students.

Ms. Neely began accompanying children’s church at the age of 8 years and for school at the 10.  She continued on throughout all her school years accompanying for solos, choirs, church, and many local events.  One of her most special memories is that of accompanying for Ponca City Po-High Chorale under the leadership of Robert Moore.  The chorale prepared and performed classical music at a high level of standard competing throughout the Midwest.  At age 18, she accepted her first church pianist position at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene in Ponca City. 

After teaching piano part time in Ponca City for 7 years, Ms. Neely opened her studio, Keyboard Creations, to full time teaching in 1993.  She also expanded to keyboard readiness and preschool music classes during her years of teaching in Ponca City.

In 1998, Ms. Neely relocated to Minnesota, where she taught music through community elementary education, studied advanced music and preschool music at the university, operated her private music studio, and taught Musikgarten.  Musikgarten is a special teaching curriculum that teaches preschool music and piano to young children from certified and specially trained teachers. 

2002 she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.  Corpus Christi brought new teaching experiences with Group Piano Classes, Adult Recreational Music Making Classes as well as continuing with Musikgarten and private piano lessons.  She also began teaching music appreciation, preschool music, and keyboard readiness classes for the local homeschool coop.  Through her local church, she really enjoyed directing the children’s choir.  In rural Texas area, Ms. Neely also enjoyed participating in the Coastal Plains Music Teachers Association which she served and Vice President and then President until she relocated to Enid, OK in late 2010. 

Although she valued each new experience and her time living in Minnesota and Texas, moving back to Oklahoma was like “coming home.”  Born and raised in Oklahoma, she’s glad to be in Enid.  She has family in both Enid and Ponca City. 

Deena Neely is currently the president of the Enid Area Music Teachers Association which is affiliated with Oklahoma Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association.  She also maintains a membership and supports National Federation of Music

Ms. Neely considers herself a “home town” music teacher and teaches each student based on their individual needs and goals for piano and music in their life.   She strives to educate as well as  to teach the love of piano and music to her students of all ages and walks of life.

Music has always been a blessing in Ms. Neely’s life, and she hopes to share her love of music through positive teaching with her students.`