Piano with Chiang L.

I am a trumpet instructor with global experience and an approach to learning that is encompassing and fun for all ages. I was born in Taiwan and have studied in both Asia and the U.S., where I last earned my Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. Students have described me as someone who is out going, someone who is laid back and fun and someone who likes to listen and communicate with my students. I have been teaching trumpet and piano since sophomore at college, in private one-on-one lessons or as a trumpet sectional coach at elementary schools or middle schools. I believe that being an educator is about the communication and the relationship that exists between a teacher and a student. The art of being a good educator exists in the difference of “speaking to” a student versus “speaking with.” If you can build a good relationship with your student, the student will be more willing to listen and practice. My teaching style is one that is based on encouragement and creating a light-hearted atmosphere, although appropriate structure and pressure is applied with students performing or competing. My belief with learning music is that if you can foster their interest through the appropriate environment and encouragement, they will naturally spend time to practice; therefore, I like using a fun but structured environment to foster the student’s own interest to improve. In my musical career, I had plenty of opportunities for performing when I was at Soochow University, including performing at the National Concert Hall each semester. I was admitted to the Soochow University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble as a principal trumpet since my junior year, which was when I had the chance to performed as solo trumpet in Pictures at an Exhibition at the well-known Musashino Academia Musicae during our concert tour in Japan. It was a great challenge for me both on developing the skills needed on the piccolo trumpet or training to be a soloist. In addition to having performed in orchestras and ensembles, I was also invited by composition teachers in school to perform their new works, which earned me a lot of experiences on interpreting contemporary works as well as playing chamber music. Furthermore, not satisfied with the excellent performance as a soloist, I participated in any kinds of performances both on and off campus, including playing at the National Concert Hall and places around Taiwan on a regular basis within a semester. In 2004, when I was in college, I performed with the Soochow University Orchestra in a concert tour around the country; and in 2005 I was a member of the China Youth Band and performed with the group for its tour to the WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) in Singapore. In 2005 I was admitted to Taipei Symphonic Winds (TSW) and I once again performed with the National Taiwan Normal University Winds Band during its concert tour around the country. In 2006 I performed with the TSW during the concert tour to Macau and Guangzhou, China. In October, 2006 I held my own trumpet recital. In 2007 I performed Pictures at an Exhibition with Soochow University Orchestra at Musashino Academia Musicae. I also took the Soochow university concerto competition and placed into the final round. In 2008 I held my second trumpet recital; in the same year I formed a brass quintet and we were actively involved in the local community doing charity performances. We had regular performances at hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages and many of other places. In 2008 I was enlisted and performed in the Ministry of National Defense Symphony Orchestra as my military service. In 2010 I started my studies at Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University in my Master of Music degree. *** Lesson Details *** My teaching style is one that is based on encouragement and creating a light-hearted atmosphere, although appropriate structure is applied and pressure exerted when needed. My belief with learning music is that if you can foster student’s interest through the appropriate environment and encouragement, they will naturally spend time to practice; therefore, I like using a fun but structured environment to foster the student’s own interest to improve. For trumpet students, I basically focus on fundamental skills. Trumpet is a tough instrument to play: it only has three keys but has to play a wide register like other instruments. It is common for students to get bored with playing basic etudes, therefore I would award them by teaching pop songs or whatever pieces they like for meeting the week’s progress. I normally teach classical trumpet, marching trumpet and beginner’s jazz trumpet. For piano students, I teach students to be familiar with the keys and intervals and also hands position for the beginners. In my view, it is very important to sing notes and play the piano at the same time because it benefits key memorization and fosters a students' sense of music. With the piano, I believe that building the proper fundamentals sets the proper pace for future growth and musical interest. *** Studio Equipment *** Living room: Trumpet lessons , music stands, chairs, additional seating for parents if needed. Electric piano at home studio *** Travel Equipment *** Trumpets, metronome, tuner, staff paper *** Specialties *** I would describe my method of teaching as using constant encouragement to get results from my student. As an example, for my younger students, I would use a score-based system where I award them with a sticker for meeting each week’s progress. You can trade in your stickers for various prizes. The style I specialize in is in the classics. Even though my focus has been on classical trumpet and classical piano, I also include pop music, because it appeals to a different audience who find it relevant and fun. My belief is that no matter what genre you choose to play, the foundation is the most important element to master first, so that’s where I focus on.