Teacher Meiyu (MM. Mannes School of Music, BM. Lynn University Conservatory of Music)
We had a Q&A session with Meiyu, an extraordinary piano teacher on our team.
1.How old were you when you started taking music lessons and what was your first instrument?
️I started at age 6, and I started with piano lessons. Later on I started violin lessons when I was 10.
2. Who/what inspired you to become a musician and music teacher?
In middle school I read a book by Zhaoyi Dan, the teacher of Sa Chen, Haochen Zhang and Yundi Li. I was deelply touched by his teaching stories and was inspired to pursue music.
3. Who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
️I think is Miss. Pavlina Dokovska. She was my piano professor when I was studying in New York. Her passion for music, and her tireless dedication to her students is truly inspiring.
4. Tell us about your musical and teaching background.
️I started learing the piano when I was 6. My sister was studying piano and my parents wanted me to study it too. I began more serious piano study starting at the age of 10 and enrolled in a conservatory in middle school. I met lots of musicians, educators, pianists at that time and their concerts, lectures were so inspiring. It made me want to become a musician and an educator. I came to the U.S. for my undergraduate and master degrees and to pursue my music dream.
5. Do you have important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians?
I encourage everyone to go to concerts, master classes, and music festivals. They are very important for music students. Listening to many performances and meeting various musicians will give you a clearer understanding of what you want. They can also help you in finding ways to pursue your music dream.
6. What do you love most about teaching?
I began teaching in college and it is an impotant and meaningful part of my life. I feel that my purpose as an educator is to help and guide students and allow them to achieve their potential. Through my years of teaching, I realized there are more people who love music than I had previously believed. My students passion for music always touchses me deeply and inspires me to be a better teacher.
7. Do you have a practice tip you want to share with our students?
️Always listen to the recording before you start learning a piece. In addition, always check carefully with the score even though you already know the piece, you can probably find some details that you didn’t notice before.
8. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching, practicing, or performing?
️I love swimming and also exercising with YouTubers. Being healthy is important particuarly for musicians. These activities help relax our muscles and in turn allows us to be better musicians.