Cello with Katy C.

I have been playing the cello for almost twenty years, and I have been giving cello lessons for the past five years. The age of my students ranges from 7 years old to 76 years old, and the level of playing also varies from a true beginner level to intermediate and advance levels. Prior to the first lesson, I always ask my students what their goals are for taking lessons with me. From there, I create a specific curriculum for the students. Everyone is different and we all respond differently to situations based on our age, personality, and past experience. I do my best to teach in a variety of ways according to each student’s needs and goals. My teaching goal is to create a trusting and enjoyable learning environment for my students. I also believe in the importance of fundamentals. Everything builds on top of a good and solid foundation. With that being developed gradually in the process, students will eventually be able to explore the musicality aspect freely. Native Taiwanese cellist Katy Chiang began her music journey first on the piano at the age of six, and the cello when she was eight. She showed a talent in cello early in her studies and was a prize-winner of several competitions in Taiwan. Ms. Chiang received her Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the University of Maryland College Park with a full merit-based scholarship, studying under David Teie, Peter Wiley (Guarneri Quartet), and Evelyn Elsing. She continued her education by pursuing her Masters degree in Cello Performance at UMCP under Professor Eric Kutz’s guidance, and she received her Master of Music degree in 2018. Ms. Chiang performs with various ensembles in the DC and Baltimore areas. Her international performances include concerts in Italy, Slovenia, and Taiwan. Some of the cello and chamber masterclasses that she participated in were led by Peter Wiley and Michael Tree (members of the Guarneri Quartet), Amit Peled, Darrett Adkins, Kenneth Slowik, the Tempest Trio, Miami Quartet, and Quatuor Danel. In 2018, Ms. Chiang was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Wintergreen Music Festival in Virginia. In 2017, she received a generous scholarship to participate in the International Music Festival of the Adriatic in Duino, Italy. Ms. Chiang is also a passionate cello teacher, a freelance musician, and the cellist in the Fairmount String Quartet. Besides teaching privately, she is on cello faculty at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.