Advice on MIDI Drum Pad project (first-timer/total newbie)

Hi all,
I'm writing to ask for some advice on my first DIY electronics project. I am trying to make my own MIDI drum pad which I can use real drum sticks on.The goal ismainly to capture an element of humanization via variation in velocity and timing (would like to be able to drum in my own more 'realistic' sounding snare and hi-hat parts).

I have the following parts (but I jumped into this without realizing I wasn't doing enough research, so there are certain things I'm not sure about).

Teensy 4.0 with pins attached (https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy40_pins.html)

Resistors - 10k ohm (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HDGX5LM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1)

A piezo sensor (https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Piez...43-8676842be792&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m)

A set of Dupont cables with connectors (assorted m/f, m/m and f/f) (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FPJ9TSP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)



I have a rough idea of how this all needs to go together, but right now I want to just post the skeleton of what I've got and make sure I'm headed in a sane direction. Please weigh in with any thoughts, ideas, criticisms etc. Anything is welcome as I really have gone through some emotional/sanity ups and downs with this so far (lol - is this anything similar to what you guys have gone through? anyone else had a roller coaster or two as their first project?)

In addition to just glancing over and seeing if that seems like the right assortment of parts for what I'm doing...I have two more specific questions I'm worried about.
1) I can test the sensor's working without this, but it will eventually become a concern -- Any good ideas on how to cheaply house the piezo sensor? Any must-have materials? This is a prototype but if I can get it to work successfully enough to use with my DAW on the first try, I'll be mega pleased. ChatGPT (pleae don't shoot me) basically suggested craft foam and a rubber mat. I've seen a wide range of suggestions elsewhere too on how to house the sensor, some including a circle-cut piece of metal and such.

2) Is soldering going to be required for attaching the cables, say, from the piezo sensor to my Teensy 4.0? I have seen/heard mythical tales of other ways to attach 'DuPont'/2.54 stuff like clips or 'pogo' pins or other stuff. I don't know if any of it will work at all but if it's a temporary option that allows me to wait a bit on learning to solder (and buying the iron itself), then I will happily try it.

Any insight on any of this is appreciated, thank you for reading all the way down to here and humoring a 100% newbie to this scene! : )
Cheers and thank you so much.
 
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