My Teaching Approach

🎶 Nurturing Musical Hearts: A Holistic Piano Teaching Approach

In a world where music education often leans heavily on technique and performance, my studio offers something different—a nurturing, emotionally intelligent approach that blends time-tested pedagogies with playful innovation. Rooted in the belief that every child is innately musical, my teaching philosophy draws from the Suzuki method, Yamaha’s ear training and solfege, Shichida-inspired learning games, and beloved repertoire from Faber Piano Adventures and Alfred’s Basic Piano Library.

🌱 Suzuki Foundations: Music as Language

At the heart of my approach is the Suzuki philosophy: that children learn music best the way they learn language—through immersion, repetition, and loving encouragement. I emphasize listening, modeling, and parental involvement, creating a triangle of support between teacher, parent, and child. This fosters not only musical fluency but also deep emotional connection and trust.
Recommended book for parents: Nurtured by love – by Shinichi Suzuki

👂 Yamaha-Inspired Ear Training and Solfege

To cultivate inner hearing and musical sensitivity, I incorporate solfege and ear training techniques from the Yamaha Junior Music Course. Singing, echoing, and improvising become joyful rituals in each lesson, helping students internalize pitch, rhythm, and harmony. These tools empower children to play with confidence and expression, even before they fully grasp notation.
Ear training with one of my youngest students

🎲 Shichida-Inspired Games and Materials

Young children thrive when learning feels like play. Inspired by the Shichida method, I use visual aids, memory games, and right-brain activation activities to make musical concepts stick. Whether it’s matching rhythms with animal cards or using storytelling to explore dynamics, these tools spark curiosity and build cognitive flexibility—all while keeping lessons fun and engaging.

🎼 Repertoire That Resonates: Faber and Alfred

For lesson pieces, I draw from the rich libraries of Faber Piano Adventures and Alfred’s Basic Piano Library. These series offer age-appropriate, motivating repertoire that supports technical growth while nurturing musicality. I carefully select pieces that align with each student’s personality and developmental stage, ensuring that every assignment feels like a personal invitation to explore. The online audio provided with the lesson book is not only engaging to young students, but also helps to improve their sense of pulse and rhythm when they practice with it.

🔗Seamless Transition into Exam Syllabus

In my teaching, I prioritize building a strong technical foundation through thoughtfully customized exercises tailored to each student’s developmental stage and learning style. Drawing from the strengths of the different styles mentioned above, I weave together a holistic approach that nurtures both skill and sensitivity. This blended pedagogy not only cultivates confident, expressive musicianship but also prepares students to transition smoothly into the ABRSM syllabus. By the time they begin formal exam preparation, students are already equipped with the technical fluency, musical intuition, and emotional resilience needed to thrive—making the ABRSM journey feel like a natural extension of their growth rather than a daunting leap.
My student’s achievements in ABRSM exams

💞 A Studio Culture of Connection

Beyond curriculum, my studio is a place where children feel seen, heard, and celebrated. I prioritize emotional safety, gratitude, and resilience—values that echo through our music and our relationships. Parents are partners in this journey, receiving regular updates, encouragement, and tools to support practice at home.

This blended approach isn’t just about teaching piano—it’s about nurturing whole children through music. By weaving together the best of multiple pedagogies with a deep understanding of child psychology, I aim to cultivate lifelong musicians who play not just with skill, but with heart.

You might be interested to read these articles
Common Misconceptions About Learning Piano
How to Motivate Your Child to Practice Piano Without taking Exams
When Will My Child be Ready for the Grade 1 Piano Exam?
What you need to know about ABRSM Exams

Aureus Music School Piano Lesson Aureus Academy Yamaha Cristofori Mandaville ABRSM Singapore Tampines NAFA SYT Piano Teacher Lasalle SOTA Yong Siew Toh The Happy Pianist Aureus Conservatory Kawai Music School Steinway STEP Steinway Singapore Suzuki Method

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