Cindy Lu
Violin/ Viola Instructor, Chair
Cindy Lu (Viola/Violin)
Lesson available in English/Chinese/Japanese
♪ Former Distinguished Instructor for Violin/Viola/Chamber Music at Xiamen Music School
♪ Former principal violist (Vorspieler) of the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra (HPAC)
♪ Former tutti violist of the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra
♪ The Juilliard School — Master of Music
♪ Oberlin College and Conservatory — Bachelor of Music
♪ Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University — Bachelor of Music
Teaching History:
With decades of experience in teaching and performing, Ms. Lu has shared her expertise in the US, China, Taiwan, and presently in Japan. She is a certified instructor of the Suzuki Method of Americas, focusing on violin, viola, and music theory lessons, as well as chamber music and orchestra coaching. Ms. Lu has also served as a jury member for various competitions in Taiwan and China.
Student Accomplishments:
Renowned for her efficient, effective, and strategic teaching methods, Ms. Lu’s students consistently gain acceptance into prestigious institutions worldwide, including Interlochen Arts School, Shanghai Conservatory Affiliated High School, China Conservatory of Music, Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, among others. Additionally, her students have achieved remarkable success, earning national awards.
Message:
Through my study experience in the United States, I’ve embraced efficient practice methods, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These skills extend beyond music, benefiting all aspects of learning and any professional fields. Playing the violin and viola is not solely about performing techniques; it cultivates intelligence, persistence, and commitment. I’m devoted to guiding students in discovering the transformative power of music as a gateway to vital skills.
Let’s get it right from the start and bring your performance to new heights!
Likes:
Going to concerts and shows, taking a walk and looking at beautiful architecture, Showa-era stuff, Sky in Japan
Biography
Our reputable and experienced violin/viola teacher Cindy Lu has earned a reputation in Taiwan and China for her effective, inspiring, and strategic teaching in the past two decades. In 2009, Ms. Lu started her career in Japan to join the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra (HPAC), holding the Vorspieler (principal violist) position. In 2022, Ms. Lu returned to Tokyo and joined the Brioso Music Academy as the Chief Instructor of Violin and Viola, where she continues to inspire and guide aspiring musicians and students.
Ms. Lu is a certified teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and was the Distinguished Violin/Viola Teacher at Xiamen Music School, the affiliated school of Xiamen University in China, until 2022. In addition to private lessons, Ms. Lu also instructs string ensembles and coaches orchestral performance classes, which have won national prizes throughout China and Taiwan. Every year, Ms. Lu’s students gain admission to top schools, colleges, and conservatories around the world.
Ms. Lu earned her first Bachelor of Music degree at the age of 18 at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Seeking to pursue higher education in music, Ms. Lu later moved to the United States and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory and The Juilliard School, under the renowned professors Heidi Castleman, Peter Slowik and Steven Tenenbom. Ms. Lu has received numerous awards for her outstanding academic performance and was granted scholarships by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to support her study at The Juilliard School. Ms. Lu is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society (Australia) and the honorary Society of Pi Kappa Lambda (USA).
Also an active performer, Ms. Lu won first prize in the John Curro Viola Competition and was invited to give a solo performance at the XXVIII Viola Congress held in New Zealand. Ms. Lu also participated in prominent music festivals such as: Aspen Music Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Affinis Festival, having performed with world-renowned maestros and musicians in the United States, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Ms. Lu has appeared in famous venues such as Suntory Hall (Japan), David Geffen Hall and Severance Hall (USA), National Theater & Concert Hall (Taiwan), National Taichung Theater (Taiwan), National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Taiwan), National Center for the Performing Arts (China) and Oriental Art Center in Shanghai (China).
While being the resident player at the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra (HPAC), Ms. Lu embarked on concert tours throughout Japan, giving performances and making appearances on famous TV shows like “Daimei no nai Ongakukai” and “10000 nin no Daiku” concerts. Ms. Lu moved back to her hometown Taiwan in 2013 to join Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra, as well as devoting herself to music education, teaching classes at I-Shu University and also serving as jury members in various competitions.
Ms. Lu now lives in Tokyo, giving private violin, viola and chamber music lessons in Kanto areas such as Tokyo and Yokohama. She also teaches violin group lessons at “Yokohama Overseas Chinese School (Taiwan)”. Her lessons are conducted in English, Chinese, or Japanese, according to students’ desire.
Awards and certificates:
Taiwan National Scholarship recipient
Suzuki Method Teacher Certificate
Golden Key International Honour Society member (Australia)
Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society member (USA)
