About My Teaching
As a Juilliard-trained concert pianist and chamber musician, I have taught piano students and coached chamber music for almost 15 years in New York, the Bay Area, and China. I love nothing more than helping my students achieve breakthroughs, reach new levels of confidence in their playing, and discover the joy of playing with others.
In my teaching, I draw from my own studies in Alexander Technique and Taubman Technique. Having recovered from injury myself, I know that playing the piano can and should be a pain-free experience. Finding greater physical ease at the instrument not only prevents injury, it also leads to better technique and more musical freedom!
As a chamber coach, I bring my own love of chamber music and my extensive experience as a professional chamber musician in several award-winning ensembles to my teaching. I have coached many young ensembles to award wins at local and national competitions.
My private and chamber music students have gone on to attend prestigious schools including The Juilliard School, MIT, UCLA, University of Southern California, Mannes School of Music, and Boston University.
I currently teach in the Pre-College of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and teach privately in San Francisco and online. I have given masterclasses at San Francisco State University, University of Kansas, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and in Xi'an, China. I taught previously at California Music Preparatory Academy, the Xi'an Music Festival in Xi'an China, and French American International School. I also regularly adjudicate piano competitions, most recently at Marin Music Chest and the Contemporary Music Festival of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers.
Advanced Middle School and High School Piano Students
Are you a passionate young pianist looking to take your playing to the next level? I work with dedicated young students to hone technical skills, build confidence in performance, and deepen musical expression.
I believe that every student is unique and tailor lessons and growth plans to each individual's needs. Studying the piano can be a life-long source of joy, fulfillment, and self-discovery. It is possible to maintain and even deepen your love of music while preparing for competitive auditions and competitions!
What I offer:
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performance opportunities
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preparation and planning for competitions and auditions
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tools to deal with and overcome performance anxiety
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tailored plan for technical improvement
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guided strategies for efficient and creative practicing
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exploration of diverse repertoire
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music theory and analysis
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connections to other musical opportunities such as chamber music and composition
Adult Piano Students
My adult students come from many different backgrounds. I love that every student has a different story to tell about their journey with music. Many adult students come to be me because:
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They took piano lessons as a child and always wanted to bring music back into their life;
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They're dealing with an injury or physical discomfort and wanted to explore more easeful ways of playing;
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They're a passionate pianist on the side and want to deepen their knowledge of the repertoire and improve their technique.
My teaching is informed by my own life as a professional concert pianist and chamber musician as well as my studies of somatic modalities, Taubman Technique, and performance psychology. For interested students, I also share my knowledge of concert programming and contemporary composers from my experience as the founding Artistic Director at Bard Music West festival.
I meet my students wherever they are and encourage playfulness and creativity at the instrument, as well as providing practical guidance on technique, practice strategies, and more.
Chamber Ensemble Coaching
I coach young and adult chamber ensembles. If you have an ensemble and are looking for some extra coaching, a new perspective, or a regular coach, I work with a limited number of groups each year. I also coach chamber music in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Pre-College division.