Lessons Offered
Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
At age 9, Kevin begin private lessons when his family moved to California from Taiwan in 1996. While many would consider that a late start, his talent was quickly recognized after just a couple years of piano lessons and his first teacher felt the need to transfer him to a better teacher, Dennis Alexander. After playing for Dennis Alexander, Kevin was offered a scholarship to study with him.
Between the start of private lessons and college, Kevin studied with Dr. Lotif, Dr. Hsun Mei Chow, and concert pianist, Dr. Felix Chang, the first Asian to win the Vianna da Motta International Piano Competition and the first winner of the J. N. Hummel International Piano Competition. With the guidance and teaching of Dr. Chang, Kevin secured a talent scholarship to study piano performance at Cole Conservatory of Music.
After graduating with his piano performance degree, Kevin realized the need to not only be able to perform piano, but that the field of teaching piano is a whole other discipline that needs further exploration. Instead of auditioning at more conservatories for piano performance, he decided to pursue a program in piano pedagogy. With that, he was offered another scholarship to pursue his graduate degree at San Diego State in addition to a teaching position to teach class piano to music majors.
TEACHING WITH EMPHASIS ON EFFICIENT PRACTICE:
Through his personal experience taking a double load of classes and making the most of his educational opportunities as an undergrad and graduate student, Kevin realized the importance of effective and efficient practice. He teaches through questions, guiding and encouraging students to think through problems to find the most effective solution. He is not for students who simply want answers given to them. He firmly believes that no amount of practice is enough if done only with the fingers, but practice, done with a focused and engaged mind is the key to effective and efficient practice. A key for the multi-talented students of today, juggling multiple instruments, after school sports, and challenging coursework.
STYLE:
From Kevin's faculty evaluations during his two years teaching at San Diego State, his charismatic nature, passion for piano, patience, and ability to create a fun learning atmosphere quickly emerge as common threads among his student evaluations.
My Musical Education Background
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance
San Diego State University, Master of Music in Piano Performance
Genres and Subjects Taught
Classical Piano, Pop, Christian Worship, Jazz
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Generally, 5 and above, but every student is different. The first interview includes a lesson readiness evaluation testing for natural ability, mental, and emotional maturity.
My Certifications and Awards
Active member of Music Teachers' Association of California.
State-Paid Applied Lesson Scholarship, CSULB
Keyboard Area Talent Scholarship, CSULB
College of the Arts Dean's Honor List, CSULB
Leonard Hirschberg Music Scholarship, CSULB
Mary E. Israel Music Scholarship, CSULB
Paul C. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship, SDSU
Service Area
Student Reviews
There are no reviews yet for this teacher. Be the first to review Freshstart Piano Studio