What Is a Sonatina?
A sonatina is a short sonata or classical piano piece that tells a musical story. It is designed to be engaging and expressive without being overly long or complicated, making it ideal for students who are developing both skill and confidence.
Think of a sonatina as a chapter book rather than a full novel—still meaningful and well-crafted, just more approachable.
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What Is a Sonata?
A sonata is one of the most important forms in classical music. It is a larger work, usually made up of several sections, each with a different mood—exciting, thoughtful, playful, or dramatic.
What makes a sonata special is how it unfolds over time. The composer introduces musical ideas, explores, transforms and modulates these idea, and then brings them back in a satisfying and familiar way. Even listeners with no musical training can sense this journey and resolution.
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Why Should Students Learn Sonatinas?
Sonatinas represent an important step in a student’s musical development.
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They bring skills together
Instead of practicing techniques in isolation, students learn how to use their skills to shape expressive music. -
They build confidence and maturity
Sonatinas teach focus, problem-solving, and musical storytelling—skills that support growth both at the piano and beyond. -
They introduce great composers early
Students experience beautifully written music by master composers while it is still within their reach. -
They prepare students for advanced repertoire
Sonatinas bridge the gap between beginner pieces and the larger, more impressive works students aspire to play. -
They are enjoyable to hear
Sonatinas are charming, lively, and satisfying for audiences, making them excellent recital pieces. -
Studying Sonatinas helps transform students Sonatinas help students move past simple learning pieces to become expressive performers who truly connect with their listeners.
Janna Williamson
Adjudicator
Janna Williamson is a nationally respected pianist, educator, adjudicator, and leading authority on teaching intermediate repertoire for pre-college students. With over 20 years of professional teaching experience, she maintains a thriving independent studio in West Chicago and previously taught at the Wheaton Yamaha Music School for nearly two decades. A mentor to countless emerging teachers, she is widely regarded as “the” expert in intermediate teaching pedagogy.
A highly sought-after adjudicator, Janna regularly judges festivals, competitions, and student events across the country. She frequently presents for state and local music teacher associations—including Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota—and is recognized for her clear, insightful approach to repertoire, musicianship, and pedagogy.
Janna is also a popular YouTuber with a large and devoted following, where she coaches teachers worldwide through tutorials, repertoire guidance, and pedagogical resources. From 2021–2023, she served as a Content Creator for TopMusicPro, producing an extensive library of training videos on historical repertoire, and she has contributed editorial work to Piano Safari. She is the Immediate Past President of the West Suburban Music Teachers Association and an active member of MTNA and related professional organizations.
Janna holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance (both summa cum laude) from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. She has studied with esteemed pedagogues including Winston Choi, Karin Redekopp Edwards, and Donald Walker, and has played in masterclasses for Edward Auer, Kenneth Drake, James Giles, Martin Katz, Abbey Simon, and William Westney.