Teaching Overview

INTRODUCTION

Teaching is an inseparable part of my lifelong passion for music. After being appointed Lecturer of Violin and Chamber Music at the University of California, Irvine in 2017, I became a full-time music theory faculty member at the New England Conservatory (NEC) in 2019, where I am currently also the co-coordinator of the College Division’s Music Literacy and Musicianship curriculum. I have been on the violin faculty at the NEC Preparatory School since 2019, as well as maintaining a private studio with some of the most talented and dedicated young musicians in Boston.

I started learning both the piano and violin at age five, and received my music education prior to college in Taiwan, primarily at the Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University. I came to the United States for my Bachelor of Music degree at the New England Conservatory, and later received the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the same institution. I had the fortune to work with some of the best musicians in the world, including Nicholas Kitchen and Donald Weilerstein, who are also some of the kindest and most sincere people I have met in my life. I aspire to be a teacher who is generous in sharing and giving, and hope to contribute to my surrounding community through the power of music and education.

PHILOSOPHY

My teaching philosophy is one that focuses on providing knowledge and guidance to my students so that they can ultimately become their own teacher—and most importantly, a person of integrity.

I approach each and every student with a unique and individualized process, helping them to identify their own vision and purpose in their musical journey in hopes of stimulating a commitment to excellence while encouraging exploration and development of their own distinctive artistic voice.

I also believe that one must be true to themselves in music making, as genuine musical expression is ultimately a direct and honest representation of oneself. I encourage my students to acknowledge their strengths while focusing on improving their weaknesses, as this dual process can reveal their potential and enhance self-confidence. I constantly remind my students to always keep an open mind to be ready to learn from others, and that adhering to the highest personal standards is the key to accomplishment, often leading to both a more productive learning process and rewarding result.

My firm belief in the power of education and its potential for transformation within society inspires me as a musician and teacher. My responsibilities are not simply to help students achieve their personal and professional goals, but to also mentor them in becoming good citizens, and help them determine their role in society as a community member. Learning is a big part of teaching, and I hope to always be a teacher that sets an example for my students by never forgetting to listen, to give, and to share.

BACKGROUND

  • The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University, Cheng-Tu Su

  • Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at the New England Conservatory, Nicholas Kitchen

  • Doctor of Musical Arts at the New England Conservatory, minor in music theory, Donald Weilerstein;

    Dissertation: “Reinterpreting the Past: A Study of Form, Harmony, and Aesthetics in the ‘Fuga’ of Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Solo Violin”