May 13, 2020

We have a winner: Claire Chapelle!

Claire has always been one of the most dedicated and hard working students, it is not a surprise at all to see that she got more than half the votes and became the winner of the 2020 Video Competition. Despite going through some personal hardship, Claire is STILL the most hard working, musical, talented, humble, smart, and joyful student. I cannot find words to describe how proud I am of her.

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Even more amazing, for the $120 prize that she gets for being the winner of this competition, she has decided to donate a big portion of it to a charity! It is such an amazing gesture. Thank you!

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Thank you all the students who participated, all the parents who donated to the prize money, helped out with the recordings, and voted. It's been a very fun experience.

Mar 31, 2020

All the social distancing cannot stop us from making music from our hearts - FaFa Piano Studio is excited to host our 2020 Studio Video Competition in the coming month!

Each student is going to submit a video of their best performance at home, I will pick the best 5 videos and post them on facebook and also in my studio website www.fafapianostudio.com. Then other students and parents are then going to vote for their favorite one. A winner will be announced on May 10th, who will get a mysterious prize.

Reality may be out of our control, but choosing how to make the best out of the situation is the real art of life. I may not be able to physically meet my students now, but social distancing doesn't mean emotionally detached. Hope they enjoy the process and treasure the extra music making time at home in isolation.

Stay safe and wash hands!

October 27, 2019

Nothing could be more refreshing and joyful to see two brilliant young ladies playing duets and play musical games together in a Saturday afternoon!

We had fun building scales (and competing with each other) using Unifix cubes. Circle of 5th could seem little complicated, but having a musical buddy to learn together helps! 

October 27, 2019

After a week of sleepless night, FaFa Piano Studio found its new home! Due to the ending of the lease, I move into another unit at the same address. Moving was hectic, but the dust is settling and my students are thrilled to be in the new piano room.

June 1, 2019

CONGRATULATIONS to all my students who performed beautifully in our recital tonight!

I challenged a lot of them and picked some challenging pieces for them this time, and they have outdone themselves! I am beyond proud to see all their hard work have paid off!

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Together we collected $134 for Save the Children, and $38 for PetSmart Charities. In addition to my own donation, a $150 check has been mailed to Save the Children, and $50 for PetSmart Charities. Thank you for all the donations! 

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Enjoy your summer!

January 17, 2019

In about a week's time, my good friend, a brilliant violinist, Olena Klingman is going to host her violin students' recital. And some of my students from FaFa Piano Studio and myself are going to perform with these violin students in their recital. Playing piano accompaniment for another instrument is something that I always wish my students have a chance to experience. I am very grateful for this opportunity. 

Please come join the recital and celebrate the hard work of both the violinists and pianists.

Date: January 26, 2019 (Saturday)

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church

(1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose, Ca 95126)

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November 17, 2018

Despite the cold and smoky air, our recital was a great success. Not only that we have the highest attendance compare to the recitals in the past, but also have raised more money for the charities than any other recitals in the past. All the ticket proceed goes to Love and Second Chances. I have also set up another donation box for California Community Foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund. I have added my own personal donations, and two checks are mailed to these two charities:

Love and Second Chances - $250

CCF's Wildfire Relief Fund - $120

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Thanks so much for all the performers and helpers, as well as their families. I am extremely proud of how much my students have grown, in a way that not only they could play more complicated pieces in a more musical way, but also have learned how to organize an event like this. I hope they could learn a lot from this whole experience.

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If you would like to contribute more to the charities but missed the chance tonight, please follow these links and donate directly:
http://lovesecondchances.org/
https://www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm93MgN_d3gIVoxx9Ch3OmQfYEAAYAiAAEgK5AfD_BwE

Happy Thanksgiving!

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November 10, 2018

2018 Fall Recital is happening!

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Date: November 17, 2018 (Saturday)

Time: 7:15pm

Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church

(1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose, Ca 95126)

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Some of the performers just had an awesome rehearsal today, they can't wait to show off their hard work and talent! Ticket $2 each, all proceeds go to Love and Second Chances. Simply by enjoying a concert, you can also help save lives of countless animals. AND! There's reception to follow. 

May 20, 2018

Congratulations to all my students who performed in the recital tonight! I am beyond proud of every single one of you.

Thanks all the parents for bringing food, preparing them for the performance, and most importantly, thank you for all your donations. Together, we have collected $189 ticket proceed, in addition to my own donation, a $200 donation has been made to Doctors Without Borders. On behalf of the charity and all the children and women in need, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

April 30, 2018

All my students are working and practicing diligently, because our Spring Students Recital is coming on May 20th, 2018!! Please come join us to celebrate a year long of hard work by these lovely talented students, and the arrival of spring! 

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Date: May 20th 2018 (Sunday)

Time: Performers call time 5:30pm. Concert starts at 6:00pm

Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church

(1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose CA 95126)

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Tickets are $2 each, only sold at the door. 100% of the ticket proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders for good causes. Money will be inserted directly into donation box (sorry no change). 

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There will be another donation box placed inside the concert venue for Harmony Fund. (Donation to Harmony Fund is not mandatory)

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Reception to follow. What's better than enjoying music, delicious food, AND helping others by donating to charity? 
 

February 10, 2018

Big shout out to my student, Olivia. Olivia is a very passionate, diligent, and musical littler girl. Although she is a special need child, that has never been an obstacle to her musical journey, but only an advantage. She was born with perfect pitch (she could identify any note by ear entirely by instinct without referencing any other notes), and she looooooooves playing the piano so much!

Few months ago, when we first try to improvise, she was completely in shock. She told me "I can't do it." Her mom also said that she is extremely hard working, but not very creative. Few months passed by, with a lot of encouragement, patience, and guidence, look at her improvisation today! She has a natural sense of rhythm, she uses patterns, but not afraid to try out different range and direction, and not afraid to break the pattern at some point. She IS creative in a way that she didn't even know she is. Today she learns not only how to improvise (she said "It's easy" afterward), but also she realized that she could be very creative too!

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See her improv here: 

https://www.facebook.com/fafa.piano.studio/videos/1820510991323715/

January 25, 2018

First post in 2018 comes with a great news!

FaFa Piano Studio has been selected to be one of the BEST PIANO STUDIOs around the south bay on Expertise.com. Thank you, Expertise.com, for the wonderful review and perfect introduction to my studio.

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Find FaFa Piano Studio among one of the 8 "Best Piano Teachers" here: https://www.expertise.com/ca/fremont/piano-lessons

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2018 is a busy year, my studio has been filled up a lot. Welcome all the new students and I so excited to begin this musical journey with you all. I have great plans for each one of my students for this year - both short term and long term goals. And I can't wait to try out these new plans and new approaches.

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Happy New Year! 

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November 20, 2017

Congratulations to all my students who performed BRILLIANTLY last night in the studio recital. I cannot be more proud! Thank you my two wonder colleagues, Emeline DeLong and Kristyn Van Cleave for being the guest performers last night and played two beautiful trios with me. The recital was very smooth and every student went home with a big grin on their faces.

Thank  you those who donated to the three charities that I picked. We have raised $237 for Wings of Rescue! Adding my own personal donations, I am mailing three checks out today to these charities:

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Wings of Rescue - $260

Humane Society International - $30

Direct Relief - $20

Thank you all the volunteers last night. I wish you all have a great, peaceful, and magical thanksgiving! 

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October 30, 2017

Counting down to our Fall Recital! Please come join us to celebrate all the students' hard work! Tickets sold at the door, $2 each, all ticket proceeds go to Wings of Rescue. In addition to that, two more donation boxes for Humane Society International and Direct Relief will be placed inside the door. Contributing to good cause AND get to enjoy fun music played by cute diligent talented students, who could refuse!? 

Date: November 19, 2017 (Sunday)

Time: 7pm

Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church - 1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose, CA 95126

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Can't wait to see you there!

September 28, 2017

New arrival! Designed these super cute stamps myself, and got compliments from over 200 piano teachers from all over the world. Can’t stop looking at them!

September 22, 2017

Finger...... "Tips!"

No...... "Stopping!"

Look at the...... "book!"

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All my students, even the 3-year-old, could always finish my sentences when I said these words, because I said it about 5000 times in a lesson. Finally, I've made three little cute stamps myself, and I don't have to write it down so many times in their assignment notebook. 

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I shared them with fellow teachers around the world in a closed Facebook group, and instantly I've got almost 200 teachers' support within a night. Sooo many teachers are asking me to share my stamp designs! 

September 19, 2017

Gave a presentation at SJSU today in the Piano Pedagogy class. I've done a lot of presentations when I was a college student, but being invited back to give speeches as a guest speaker, this is the first. And I am beyond honored to share my own music game materials and inventions to these brilliant future teachers! I can't be thankful enough for my mentor, Dr Gwendolyn Mok, for nurturing me, shaping me, and now giving chance to give back using my talent and skills that she helped developing.

July 26, 2017

Ice Cream Festival is here!
New game in progress. Making music is as exciting as choosing ice cream flavors! 
Happy summer everyone!

June 16, 2017

Can't wait until June 24! One of my all-time favorite pianists, the brilliant Yuja Wang is performing in Santa Cruz! I used to drive 4 hours to go to her concerts in Cleveland when I lived in Ohio. 

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She is indescribably talented, young, enthusiastic, passionate, beautiful, kind, tender... You just can't make good music unless you are a good person - music making is such a naked process, that you can literally hear one's heartbeat through the music. Yuja Wang could take your soul onto a time-traveling trip, back to Beethoven and Brahms's time.

See you in Santa Cruz! (Click on the image for details)

May 20, 2017

Look at this cute little Beethoven!

She is one of my most dedicated, hard-working, talented students, Charlotte!

Nothing can stop her love for music and piano, not even a sprained finger! She is going to perform and present while dressing up as Beethoven in her school talent show in June. Good luck to her!

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April 16, 2017

The Colorful Egg Matching game creates so much laughters, every one of the students today turned into bouncing bunnies jumping up and down!

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Happy Easter!

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April 6, 2017

Since FaFa Piano Studio moved back to California from Boston in 2015, it has grown immensely - in 1.5 year, the studio has grown from zero to almost 50 students, with more potential students lining up to join. As the owner of the studio, I can't be more thankful for all the supports from students and parents. 

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As the studio get busier and busier, FaFa Piano Studio has recently adopted the use of the Swap List, which makes it easier for students to reschedule lessons and increase flexibility in terms of logistics. 

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However, even with the Swap List, the studio is getting closer and closer to its maximum capacity. Therefore, FaFa Piano Studio is hiring again! Searching for good piano teachers who share the same passion and value in music education is not an easy task. But this is a way to expand the studio to accommodate more students and provide the best music education possible. Finger crossed for this. 

March 18, 2017

Moved into this new studio a week ago, it was extremely hectic and exhausting to teach and move at the same time, but my new home is now all set up, and the studio is up and running!

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Can't be more thankful for this new space - a separate cat-free teaching room with patio, lots of sunshine, brand new modern furniture, nice and clean environment makes teaching and learning so much more focus and fun!

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March 2, 2017

After struggling with a crazy house hunt process, FaFa Piano Studio has finally found our new home:

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99 Vista Montana, San Jose, Ca 95134 (Apartment number is hidden for security purpose, contact me for full address)

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The new moving date would be March 7th, 2017 (Tue). All students will be contacted privately. For all new potential students, please make sure you are ok to travel to the new address before joining our studio.

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Very excited that this is finally happening! 

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January 22, 2017

THANK YOU!!!

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Tonight's recital was very successful! I am sooooo proud of every single one of my cute, talented, hard working students!

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Thank you so much for all your support and donation. Together, our studio has raised $145 for the Nine Lives Foundation! In addition to my own donation, a check of $180 has been made to the Nine Lives Foundation. On behalf of all the foundation, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!

January 3, 2017

Congratulations to my student, Kate Yu, who received First Class Honor for her RCM Level 1 practical exam!!

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This is Kate's first time taking the RCM exam, and I am sooooo proud of her! She is extremely shy, but also extremely musical, talented, and hard working! I am so happy and honored, as her teacher, to see how much she has improved, and how much love she has for music! She practices so much that her parents told me it is hard to keep her away from the piano at home. 

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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December 15, 2016

FaFa Piano Studio is hiring experienced piano teacher. Studio available for teaching on Mondays and Fridays. You can operate your studio independently (decide your own rate, do your own administration, billing, advertisement, etc), the studio is available for rent for $50 per day (whole day, no time limit). Prefer renting both days, but either day is okay too.

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Location: Milpitas, right next to Great Mall. Prime location, right across the new Bart station which will open in 2017. Extremely close to I-680 and 880. Also close to I-237. 

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Equipment: Hardman Baby Grand Piano, storage space for teaching material. Can consider including a keyboard as secondary instrument.

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Requirement:

- Minimum Bachelor's degree in Music, or degree in progress (at least junior year)

- Some experience in teaching prefer

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Starting near the end of January. 6 months/1 year contract.

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If interested, please email resume to: fafa.piano.studio@gmail.com

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Thanks.

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December 6, 2016

Student of the week:
Meli is one of the sweetest, diligent, friendly teenage girls I have ever met. Started her piano lessons in March, she has made so much progress in less than a year, I can't be more proud of her.

Recently, every Wednesday after her lesson, this piece always stuck in my mind for the whole day.

November 10, 2016

I often use the amazing Irina Gorin's idea of "Flying butterfly" to demonstrate wrist flexibility and relaxation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSf3_gAKXiA). Instead of shopping for pretty butterfly rings, I hand-made them with wire and paper origami.

October 28, 2016

Mr Bach, Mr Beethoven, and Mr Mozart said "hi"!

September 30, 2016

Thinking of new games for the Halloween "Piano Party" (a small one-time group class). I was little anxious about the planning, until I sat down and brainstorm ideas, and all of the sudden I just can't stop new ideas fleshing out.
Can't wait to celebrate my favorite occasion of the year with my cutie pies.

August 11, 2016

Soooo nice to see all my students again. Excited to start the new school year. FFPS is accepting new students of all ages and levels. Email me today to schedule a free interview!

July 18, 2016

Please be advised that FaFa Piano Studio is closed from July 18-28. All students have been individually informed and all lessons during this time have been rescheduled. 

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Students/Parents: If you have any question about the make up schedule, please email me at any time. I apologize for the change and irregular schedule.

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As much as I enjoy teaching, after working 7 days a week for almost a year, I do need a break too. A trip could be inspiring too, I look forward to share the experience with my students. 

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Europe here I come!

July 11, 2016

Simple, easy new game - Hoppy Frog!

Simply add up the note values on the cards and move the game piece, help Mr. Frog get back to the King Frog! Quick easy simple game, makes rhythm so easy to learn!

June 21, 2016

"FaFa" Piano Studio finally has a "FaFa" game - did I mention "FaFa" means flower in Cantonese? (which is my baby name)

May 22, 2016

Thank you so so so very very.... VERY MUCH!! The recital is finally over and it was such a big success. I am such a proud teacher!! THANK YOU for all the donations to the Harmony Fund. A check of $80 will be sent tomorrow and on behalf of all the Harmony Fund, thanks for all the support! 

Best quote to conclude the whole event:"My music is the spiritual expression of what I am----My faith, my knowledge, my being........When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups....I want to speak to their souls."-John Coltrane

Humanity. No better way to make humanity blossom than sharing the love for music.

UPDATE: I've got the happiest email this morning! Another $20 added to the donation, and it is the happiest news because it is from a STUDENT! Thanks Vivian!

I tried to set a good example for my students - helping the weak and be a good samaritan. No word can describe how touching and joyful it is for me to see how my student grows into not only a better musician, but also a better human being because of my teaching and example. 

May 18, 2016

Get your tickets quick! Recital is on Sunday, can't wait.

Spent so much time designing and printing the tickets, finally it's here. Invite friends amd family!

May 12, 2016

Counting down to the recital: 10 days!!!!

Please help spreading the words. Come celebrate my students' progress!

May 6, 2016

New goodie arrived! Building chords and scales with unifix cubes, can't wait to try in the FaFa Piano Studio summer camp...

April 29, 2016

Who is up for challenge? Musical Sudoku!!

April 10, 2016

IT'S HAPPENING! Hall booked, our first Student's Recital will be on 5/22 5:30 at the beautiful First Congressional Church of San Jose! Details will be announced through studio email.

Date/Time: 5/22/2016. 5:30pm
Address: First Congregational Church of San Jose 
1980 Hamilton Ave., San Jose CA 95125

This will be not only a recital, but also a fund raising event for charities - Every family will receive two free tickets, additional tickets are $2 each, and 100% of the ticket income will be donated to the Harmony Fund. Nothing is more wonderful than helping poor homeless animals by spreading the love for music!

So excited! Can't wait to see you all!

March 25, 2016

New height adjustable bench & pedal extender!

Happy Easter to all my students!

Feb 7, 2016

In my two keyboard group classes, we kick off each class with a "hello song". I promised the kids that I would teach them a new hello song after new year. And so I wrote a new song, called "Hello, my friend!". My wonderful colleague, Tiffany Barry creatively came up with fun lyrics for the song:

Hello, my friend. You're here today

We will have lots of fun and play

There is just one more thing to do

Enter and take off your shoes

I added choreography to it. And when they sing the last line, they all take off their shoes as quickly as they can (to see who is the fastest). The classroom was filled with exciting screams and laughters. I can't believe one of my "bathroom fantasies" (my improvisation sung during shower) could turn into such a fun happy musical moment! =)

Joyous super bowl Sunday!

Jan 31, 2016

Congratulations to my student, Tony Ma, for passing the DipABRSM (the highest level of ABRSM exam)!

Dec 23, 2015

Thanks Paper Truck's beautiful design, here's a Christmas gift for everyone! Simply download the pdf file, print it, cut it, fold it, glue it, and *drumroll* here's a beautiful studio bus! The body of the bus uses the background of the front page of this website, which was hand drew by myself. Hope you enjoy it, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2_WjNRmzlVcZ29Jclk0VkZmdmM/view?usp=sharing

Dec 9, 2015

The Cambrian District Children's Choirs are having their winter performances at senior homes these two weeks. As their piano accompanist, I have the honor to work with their wonderful director, Tiffany Barry this year. Today was the senior chior's turn to perform, and it was a blast. Successful performance, early Christmas gifts, and more importantly, cookies from the senior home!

Nov 24, 2015

Save the princess from the monster! Pass through the "Scale Forest" and learn all the scales until you save the poor princess!

Nov 17, 2015

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Used up my eggs tonight, thought I could do something with the box...

Rhythm game: Each slot is one beat, students can make up rhythm for each other to clap by putting beads in each slot. One bead in the slot = quarter note. Two beads = two 8th notes. Half note takes two slots. Whole note takes four slots. That way, students can visualize the note value, especially for those who are not old enough to understand the math.

Interval game: Draw interval cards and move the bead. Interval of 2nd = move two slots. Student can pick a color to set that as goal, start from red slot, go in circle until all beads land in the goal slot. Purple slot = punishment slot, player loses one turn while opponent can move twice.

Nov 17, 2015

It took only two pencils and two pieces of paper to make my students scream over the new Copy Cat game. I secretly wrote one measure of rhythm and covered it, students only have 2 seconds of sneak peak and I cover the measure again. Then they have to write down what they saw in that 2 seconds. I am so proud of this idea because

1. It really makes them focus, especially for those with shorter attention span

2. Teach them how to draw different note values

3. Most importantly, it makes them look at the measure as a whole, grab the big picture instead of drilling into one single note, which is VERY IMPORTANT for sight reading

4. It requires short-term memorization skill, which is SUPER helpful to note reading

5. It is really fun, and no other tools needed

And at the end of the game, we have a chain of measures, we clap the rhythm together.

Oct 30, 2015

One day before Halloween, I finally finished the creation of this sight reading game. This is by far the most time and brain power consuming creation process I've gone through so far, but I hope it worth the hard work. Guinea pig #1 coming in tomorrow. Stay tuned for the report of the outcome. Happy Halloween!

Oct 17, 2015

More drawings! To help students with note reading, the new game is a fun way to improve sight reading and meanwhile celebrate Halloween. Stay tuned for its debut! 

Oct 7, 2015

Hand drew a coloring page for my students. Everything in the picture is related to a musical concept that I teach in lessons (e.g. Chicken - curved fingers and do not collapse knuckles as if your hand is tapping a chicken inside your palm, do not kill the chicken) Have fun coloring while reviewing what we talked about in the lesson.

Sep 27, 2015

More drawings! Goodbye old grand staff, and welcome my newly decorated grand staff. Will laminate the grand staff tomorrow, then we have a brand new game board for the beloved soldier game!

It is an excellent game to help students improve note reading skills. Students can get familiar with all 5 lines and 4 spaces in one lesson!

Aug 25, 2015

My Musical Path game board was unfortunately lost in my totalled car which my sister crashed. But now here's a new updated version. Took me few nights to draw and color, but this one has more animals and better drawings. I hope my kids would enjoy the game...

Aug 22, 2015

Long distance move, exhausted and chaotic, but I can finally officially announce that FaFa Piano Studio has been reopened in new location - San Jose, CA!

Butterflies in stomach, I can't say enough how excited and grateful to be back in California!

Aug 10, 2015

Big news!!

FaFa Piano Studio has moved back to California (San Jose, CA)! It takes a while to settle down, and rebuild my studio, but I can't express how grateful I am to move back to my beloved hometown!

- Virginia from the Happyland

July 31, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng

How about an amazing inspiring TED talk for the lovely Thursday morning?

Reason 96094590 to learn music...

June 27, 2014

http://youtu.be/NQ4LhEWqc-M

Sweet Simon finished the Colorful Rhythm Marathon all by himself!

On this last day of teaching at Perrysburg Music Center, he hugged me sooooo tightly at the end and didn't let me go..... awwwww......

I've never seen a student like Simon - soooooo curious about everything - I didn't have to offer him sticker or gift as reward, because the reward that he wanted, was "teach me more note next time", "tell me what a treble clef is", "give me more rhythm, harder ones". Piano teachers often spend so much time thinking of ways to motivate students, provoke internal interest; but for Simon, his passion and love for music, curiosity, and energy were so overwhelming. For him, the world is like a big toy and living a life is like playing a very long game. His positiveness and vitality will be vividly stamped onto my memory. 

I can't wait to see you grow up, and become a brilliant pianist..... and a brilliant person.

June 26, 2014

Woohooo~ We had another fun group class today! 

Today, we

- learned about the 16th note (Watermelon)

- Clapped the Colorful Rhythm Marathon

- Played Rhythm Cup Exploration

- Review the Music Story about Bach

- Talked about Ludwig van Beethoven

- I performed a piece called "Für Elise", written by Beethoven

- Lucky draw winner: Megan Odneal

- Had snack, photo shooting, and FAREWELL~~

THANKS all cutie pies, I will miss all of you sooooo much!! Thanks for all the hard work, I can't emphasize how proud I am to be your teacher!

Videos of the games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAoa4QJ16-E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zioRau4mkfw

Also Check out pictures in the Gallery!

June 22, 2014

Can't wait until the second Piano Party on Thursday (6/26)! It is 1pm, 45 mins long. Light snack will be provided.

So... highlights of this group class:

- The story of J.S. Bach will be continued, parents, please help your children to study the Musical Period handout

- Rhythm Marathon: extension of the rhythm train game

- Focus on interval of 4th and 5th

.... and more!

June 17, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUOFFj2ZFxM

And also listen to Ethan's improvisation! Brilliant. My student is a child prodigy!

June 17, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTkDLl_GFU

Listen to the new song that Ethan composed and performed!