My overall philosophy for teaching is to pass on my knowledge about piano performance, and to ultimately guide the student to develop their own musical path. Finding what is unique in each student is important to me and showing them how to develop their own talent. Making sure there is a balanced partnership between me and the student can ensure their voice is heard. I often have the student choose the piece they want to learn.
First, I’d like to pass on to the student the ability to look at the dynamic change and be able to imagine how it looks and feels. For example, to create a brighter sound, the student could imagine the sun rising; if the student is playing legato style, I would have the student imagine opera singing; or if it is in ¾ meter, then I would have the student imagine dancing at a ball. Then to make sure I have a good learning environment, I have pictures of world-renowned pianists on the wall and a bookshelf with hard-bound books of music. Having flyers available for competitions and concerts makes sure the students are motivated to practice. Another motivation is to establish trust. I like for my students to feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. I let them know I care about them as a person. My teaching policy is to learn technique first for young beginners because I believe they need more life experience to understand the complexities behind the music. Above all, the most important message I want my students to incorporate is discipline. I say to the student, “There is always someone who practices more than you, so that is why it is important to work hard constantly.” Ensuring the student practices discipline relies also on the parents’ involvement. I make sure that everyone is “on the same page.” I know this is possible by being honest and having clear communication and expectations.
Email me: cindyxt@gmail.com
Cindyxt Music Studio 