Krista Burtner, an 18-year-old recent home school graduate, operates the business from her home in the Hermitage development in Berryville. She and her family moved to Berryville from North Carolina two years ago, and she began teaching piano lessons in April 2006.

Burtner said an employee of her father pointed out that sometimes permits are required to operate home businesses. She then went through the process of completing paperwork and going before the Berryville Planning Commission and Town Council to request approval.

"It has been pleasurable," Burtner said of the process. "They were so helpful, especially Ms. Christy Dunkle."

At a recent Planning Commission meeting, commission members agreed that they were impressed by Burtner's initiative and professionalism in seeking to obtain a business license.

The process was completed without objection, although Burtner related a humorous moment from the application process. Christy Dunkle, assistant town manager/planner, sent out alerts to Burtner's neighbors as part of the process, to see if there were any objections.

"The only person who had a problem was a lady who thought it was going to be a halfway house," Burtner said.

Burtner paid a one-time special permit fee of $200, and will pay a yearly fee of $20.

She currently has 34 piano students. She teaches approximately half from her home, and half are her neighbors in the Hermitage development.

When she moved to Berryville, Burtner took an online business course, which she said opened new windows for her. She realized there were many possibilities for home-based businesses, which was ideal, as she looks ahead to eventually remaining at home to raise children.

"I started out with a bakery business, and I was surprised how well it did," Burtner said. "When I decided to teach piano, I was very tremulous."

"I knew I had the necessary knowledge, but wasn't sure if I would be able to teach these kids correctly," she said. "You get better over time."

Burtner herself took lessons from age 9 until moving to Berryville. She has built up her customers through distribution of fliers in her neighborhood and word of mouth.

She is the second of eight children, and has the unique opportunity to be able to teach piano to two, soon to be three, of her siblings, who are also homeschooled. She estimates about one-third or one-fourth of her students are homeschooled.

"I love to teach all the kids," Burtner said. "They are all equally zealous."

While most of her students are younger, Burtner said she teaches three adult women, and is open to teaching anyone who wants to learn.

She said she is glad to have gotten her business license.

"It was a good experience, and the people I have met have been so sweet and special," Burtner said.

"I like this town, because everybody knows everybody," she said. "I've heard stories of people having students who are hard to deal with, but I have never run into that."

"This is something I love to do, and something I will continue to do."

Krista Burtner's Piano Moments business can be reached at 540-272-3340.