Student and Parent Voices
I used to be the kind of student who solely focused on techniques without considering the musical content. Ms. Lu was the first teacher who taught me how to truly enjoy and feel the music while playing. She urged me to listen to different kinds of music, be creative, be attentive to my surroundings, and then channel it all into my music. She also advised me to participate in music festivals and try new things. Thanks to her encouragement, I attended the Heifetz Music Institute last summer. I learned a great deal about playing and music-making and made friends at the festival. It was then that I understood the reasons behind her advice to expand my knowledge and experiences in various ways. Ms. Lu not only taught me how to play the violin but also guided me through life. I am grateful and content that I had the opportunity to study with her as her influence on me has been significant.
It was also Ms. Lu who introduced me to chamber music when I was 14 years old. Prior to that, I had solely listened to chamber music recordings and never participated in playing it. Due to my lack of experience, I struggled with collaboration. I still remember her reminders to read the score, not only focusing on our own music but also familiarizing ourselves with the other parts. Ms. Lu consistently guided us with patience and taught us a multitude of collaboration skills and techniques. Her guidance has helped me develop effective habits that have made my studies in the United States more manageable and productive. Thanks to her, I believe I have become a well-rounded musician and a
better individual. Currently, I am studying at the Interlochen Arts Academy and preparing for an audition at The Juilliard School next year. I wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Lu.”
We first learned about Ms. Lu through recommendations from other students. Our child has been studying with Ms. Lu since 2021, and we are extremely pleased with the results. Ms. Lu is not only a professional and demanding teacher, but also kind and patient. She possesses a unique ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms and provide strategic approaches to techniques.
Thanks to her guidance, our child has achieved outstanding results, achieving high scores in two National Music Grading Tests and winning first prize at the IMAA competition. We highly recommend Ms. Lu for her exceptional teaching skills to anyone seeking a top-notch music education for their child. Her expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching have made a significant impact on our child’s musical growth and confidence. Despite the heavy academic workload, we continue to take online lessons with Ms. Lu to this day.
I met Ms. Koyama at the music festival when I was 17 years old. I was a student who focused on technique a lot and not thinking musically. I felt limited in my playing, but I didn’t know how to improve more. After the festival, I decided to study with her and left China.
Ms. Koyama was the teacher who gave me direction and hope. She taught me how to hear different colors harmonically and how to use different finger touch and arm movements to produce different tone colors. She helped me to understand the structure of the music, different styles of composers, how to read and study the score that I can now study the score on my own. She always recommended me to listen to many good recordings of Symphonies and Operas which inspired me a lot. When I struggled from hand injuries, she helped to refine my techniques and saved me from hand injuries.
In the past four and a half years, she changed the way I played the piano and made me becoming a much better musician. Last year, thanks to her help and support, I was accepted to Juilliard, but I chose to attend NEC. I still feel I can learn a lot and get inspired from her lessons. I feel so lucky to have met her and study with her.
My son has been taking lessons from Ms. Koyama for the past 4 years and has made incredible progress in both his technical skills and musical understanding. Ms. Koyama has a great ability to connect with students and make learning piano fun and enjoyable. She creates a positive and encouraging environment that has helped my son to develop his love for music and a desire to continue learning.
One of the things that have impressed me the most is Ms. Koyama’s ability to tailor her teaching approaches to meet the needs of my son. She has been able to identify and address any areas of difficulty, while also pushing my son to reach his full potential. Ms. Koyama also makes sure to incorporate a variety of musical styles and techniques into lessons, which has helped my son to become a well-rounded pianist.
I highly recommend Ms. Koyama. She has been a fantastic teacher and a mentor for my child and has played a huge role in his musical development.
Helen J. USA Mother of a student
