Meet Our Teachers
Xiaowan
Founder & Principal Teacher
-
M.M. in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music
-
B.M. in Piano Performance from Central Conservatory of Music
-
Member of the American Federation of Musicians & MTAC
https://youtu.be/nxQehWbe-9M?si=sjNB8-b2qVBq7mk_
With over 10 years of pedagogical experience, Xiaowan began her teaching career while at the Central Conservatory of Music. As a rising leader in music education, she is celebrated by students for her inspiring, patient, and rigorous approach, blending a deep passion for the art with a commitment to student growth.
Proven Excellence in Teaching:
Xiaowan has a distinguished track record of guiding students to the highest levels of achievement. Her students consistently secure the top-tier Distinction mark in ABRSM examinations. Beyond examinations, her students have garnered prestigious awards at major competitions, including the United States Open Music Competition (USOMC), Global Philharmoni International Music Competition, Bay Area Global Competition, and the United States International Music Competition.
Artistic Pedigree:
Having studied under the world-renowned Dr. Phillip Kawin, Xiaowan possesses a sophisticated understanding of piano repertoire. 1st Prize marks her own artistic excellence, winning at the Bonn 'Grand Prize Virtuoso' and the Golden Classical Music Awards, leading to prestigious performances at Beethoven Haus in Germany and Carnegie Hall in New York.
Yu Wu
Senior Teacher
-
D.M.A. in Piano Performance from Arizona State University
-
M.M. in Piano Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music
-
B.M. in Piano Performance from Tianjin Conservatory of Music
Yu began studying piano at age 6 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Tianjin, China. She later moved to the U.S. to pursue graduate studies, earning a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, where she has also served as a Faculty Associate, actively teaching and mentoring students at the collegiate level.
As a dedicated pedagogue and performer, Yu is deeply involved in professional service within the music community. She served as a board member of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) in 2023 and co-chaired the 2023 ASMTA Honors Recital. She currently serves as a board member of the MTNA ASU Collegiate Chapter.
Yu is a firm believer in innovative music education, offering engaging and inspiring lessons that balance musical growth with creativity. Her students consistently excel in ABRSM examinations and state-level piano evaluations. She maintains an active professional schedule as both a soloist and a collaborative pianist.
Ellie
Leo
Principal Teacher
-
D.M.A. in Piano Performance from University of North Texas
-
M.M. in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music
-
B.M. in Piano Performance from Central Conservatory of Music
Ellie began her piano studies at age 4 and brings over 12 years of extensive teaching experience across all ages and levels, from young beginners to advanced students preparing for conservatory admissions and international competitions. She holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance with a minor in Piano Pedagogy from the University of North Texas, where she studied under Vladimir Viardo—gold medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and direct student of the Russian Neuhaus school. She earned her Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music under Prof. Alexandre Moutouzkine and her Bachelor's degree from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under Prof. Xi You.
As a distinguished pianist, Ellie has performed across the US, China, Italy, Spain, France, and Japan. Her solo and collaborative performances include appearances with the Russian United Symphony Orchestra at the Cross-Strait Youth Pianists Festival and solo recitals at the Bolzano International Piano Festival in Italy. She is a top prize winner at numerous international competitions, including the Thomas F. Hulbert International Piano Competition, WPTA Finland and Italy International Piano Competitions, Napolinova World Piano E-Competition, and the Golden Classical Music Awards.
Senior Teacher
-
M.M. in Piano Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music
-
B.M. in Piano Performance from Xinghai Conservatory of Music
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHJk7pM7AZzbEw-h_DBkzTnucwyftK85/view?usp=drivesdk
Leo studied with American pianist and educator Sharon Mann at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). He earned his Bachelor’s degree with distinction from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, receiving training from Prof. Yongsheng Kuang, Dr. Yudi Ouyang, Dr. Congcong Chai, and Dr. Hua Qiao. He was admitted to several top Chinese conservatories—including Tianjin, Harbin, and Wuhan—and ranked second nationwide in admissions at Guangxi Arts University.
Throughout his studies, Leo has been an active performer, earning numerous awards such as Third Prize at the Xinghai Conservatory Piano Competition, Gold Medal at the “Yanzi Cup” Youth Division, Bronze and Second Prizes at the 2020 and 2021 Singapore International Piano Competitions, Gold Medal in Collaborative Piano at Xinghai Conservatory, and First Prize at the Dali International Piano Competition. He also represented Chenzhou City at the Hunan Music Art Festival for two consecutive years, winning First Prize in the Piano category, and has participated in masterclasses with Jinsong Xian, Yuntian Liu, and Prof. Hexin Fan.
Audrey
Senior Teacher
-
M.M. in Piano Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music
-
B.M. in Piano Performance from Shenyang Conservatory of Music
https://youtu.be/BVZm02wonG0?si=GCQBd1XQ9tyhl2H6
Audrey began studying piano at age 6 and was admitted to the Shenyang Conservatory of Music High School, earning her bachelor's degree there under Prof. Li Xiaojun and Prof. Wang Qiuhong. Later, she was accepted by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Arizona State University, and Longy School of Music with substantial scholarships, choosing SFCM to pursue her graduate studies under Awadagin Pratt.
Audrey has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists, including Dr. Joanne Polk (MSM) and Dr. Caio Pagano (ASU), and performed in numerous concerts and solo recitals. Her accolades include the Steinway Competition Excellence Award and a Second-Class Scholarship from Shenyang Conservatory.
Since her undergraduate years, Audrey has been a dedicated piano instructor, helping students excel in exams such as ABRSM Grade 8.
Teacher Levels
Our music teachers are thoughtfully categorized to meet the diverse learning needs and goals of our students:
-
Senior Teacher: Focuses on cultivating foundational skills, musical creativity, and a joyful learning experience. Ideal for students pursuing music as a hobby or for general enrichment, and obtaining certification.
-
Principal Teacher: Provides expert guidance for advanced learning, performance excellence, and exam preparation. Recommended for students with serious goals, including competitions.
Choosing the Right Teacher
Teacher levels are flexible and not tied to student experience:
-
Beginners aiming for rapid progress may start with a Principal Teacher.
-
Alternatively, students can begin with a Senior Teacher and transition to a Principal Teacher as they advance.
Performance Opportunities
All students are encouraged to participate in 2 annual recitals to celebrate their progress and showcase their musical talents.