“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
– Plato
“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
– Plato
Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 29 (on zoom)
Sicily International Piano Festival and Competition, Catania, Sicily, January 12-20
Seoul Arts High School, Seoul, Korea, October 31
Dankook University, Seoul, Korea, October 30
Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, October 28
International Piano Festival in Poland, Nałęczowski Ośrodek Kultury, Nałęczów, Poland, July 15–23
Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea, May 13
Capital Area Music Teachers Association, East Lansing, Michigan, March 5
California State University North Ridge, North Ridge, California, October 18
California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, October 16
Busan National University, Busan, Korea, May 30
Jeonju University, Jeonju, Korea, May 23
Mokwon University, Daejeon, Korea, May 23
Daejeon Arts High School, Daejeon, Korea, May 23
Honam Theological University and Seminary, Kwangju, Korea, May 18
Chosun University, Kwangju, Korea, May 18
Sookmyung Womens University, Seoul, Korea, May 17
Chonnam National University, Kwangju, Korea, May 16
Sunchon University, Sunchon, Korea, May 16
Lake Superior Music Teachers Association, Michigan Technology University, Houghton, Michigan, December 30
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, October 18
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, October 16
Piano Texas International Academy and Festival, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, June 10–16
Baylor University, Waco, Texas, February 18
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, November 13
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, November 8
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, October 29
Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, October 21
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, October 16
Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, September 28
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, September 14
Absolute Music Performing Arts Center (AMPAC) Piano Festival, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 9
University-College Sedaya International (UCSI), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 8
Silom Performing Arts Center, Bangkok, Thailand, May 19
Yamaha School, Bangkok, Thailand, May 17
Pitta Music School, Chiang Mai, Thailand, May 15
South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, April 27
Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, February 25
Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, February 24
Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, January 22
California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, November 3
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, October 30
Texas Music Teachers Association, Texas Collegiate Chapters Conference, Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, Texas, June 12
Levine School of Music, Washington, District of Columbia, May 26
West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, May 25
Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, March 15
Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, March 5
High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston, Texas, January 13
McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana, April 28
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, March 24
A teacher must know both the subject and the students in order to teach effectively. I set attainable goals for each class I teach and have my students do the required. I push my students along to develop their skills while also building self-confidence. I assure my students that they can succeed and give them the chance to try. I receive plenty of student feedback, and I determine what needs to be fixed. I do not assume that all students can be reached by the same teaching technique. I also don't teach the same classes exactly the same way from year to year. I try to find each student's areas of strength and provide positive feedback as well as constructive advice necessary for the the student's development.
I work with students to improve their knowledge base of music and their skills as a musician. Each student is assigned different pieces according to level, and often I demonstrate the piece at the piano. Demonstration involves being able to explain things clearly at the level of mechanics and intent. I explain stylistic differences, variety of articulations, how to interpret and analyze the piece, and dynamic and timing plans.
As the old proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I am trying to teach students "to fish" in making music. Students learn what to listen for in making music and how to apply their skills to other pieces they will learn in the future. I teach them how to internalize music from the smallest units to the longest phrases, and how to develop an awareness of body movement in technique. I explain and demonstrate sound projection, sound quality, layers of voicing, color creation, articulation, and other techniques. I explain how to interpret and analyze pieces and how to use dynamic and timing plans appropriately. I also give instructions to students how to present themselves professionally in a public stage setting and provide performance opportunities for them to try out.
Music making is not just playing notes. Musicians should disvover and convey the hidden meanings between the music notes. I try to cultivate students' imagination and to fortify characters in music with a variety of emotional levels also. I suggest connections to entitles, such as historical events, personal experiences, stories and scenes from composer's background. I encourage students to develop their own storyline for music that they play.
Students' Comments
"I loved her dedication to making sure we fully understood how to properly play each piece. She worked with me to make sure my disability never got in the way of my comprehension, and I really appreciate that about her."
"I love how she really seems to care about her students' musical growth and success. She will make time out of my regular one-hour lessons and assist me where needed. Her methods are easy to understand, and I never leave lessons confused or disheartened."
"This class has been my favorite so far, and I truly appreciate your efforts to help me grow this semester. Your guidance, patience, and passion for teaching have made a lasting impact on both my skills and my confidence at the piano. I am grateful for the way you encouraged me to challenge myself and explore new pieces. Thank you for creating such a supportive and inspiring learning environment."
"I really love Dr. Cho. She is an incredible instructor. I feel very grateful to be able to learn under her guidance for so many years. I always feel like she truly cares about me as a student and about my progress as a pianist and musician. I like that she takes her time to choose the music for the taste of her students, which shows a lot because I know that she has a lot of students, but she really knows what each of us gravitates toward musicality and tries to build upon that. You are the best, Dr. Cho!"
"Dr. Cho is an incredible professor. She treats us with respect, while also keeping us in check when we need it. She always tried to model material for us as best she can, and if we aren't picking something up, she easily pivots to something new that may support us better."
"I greatly admire Professor Cho. Her rhythmic exercises are very helpful, to the point that I use them myself when I teach my own students. I also appreciate her giving out extra lessons when needed."
"She has given me advice not just on piano, but also health advice and nutritional recommendations. She has helped me through some personal struggles as well, and I thank her deeply for that!"
"She was strict in the best way possible! Always making sure we played properly with great technique."
"Dr. Cho made sure I practiced and the more I practiced the better I became."
"Professor Cho shows a very clear interest in teaching piano. She was even willing to stay a little while after class in order to help me with a piece of music I was trying to learn outside of class."
"Professor Cho knows how to manage the process to focus on the aspects that need more attention and knows how to fix everything fast and efficiently."
"The professor was always ready for a lesson and very encouraging, and still provided plenty of constructive criticism."
"Taught very well, amazingly well, it was easy to understand."
"Dr. Cho has opened my eyes to the different aspects of piano playing. It is not simply playing notes in a tempo. She brought out my love for piano by after deconstructing a piece and later putting the parts together to make beautiful music."
"Dr. Cho was very clear on what was wrong with my playing, which was helpful. She also gave me good practice strategies that I can apply to my own experiences playing piano outside of class."
"Dr. Cho regularly explained topics in ways that would resonate with the student. Her teachings were demanding, yet specific and actionable."
"Dr. Cho is very knowledgeable about her expertise. She has taught me to really bring out musical moments in pieces. I am not just playing notes."
"Dr. Cho is a wonderful teacher who is able to explain concepts in a simple way that makes them understandable. She has been very encouraging and supportive."
"Dr. Cho is very good at targeting specific problem areas and fixing them. My ear has been improving significantly this semester, studying with her."
"My piano technique has increased tenfold since taking lessons with Dr. Cho. She pushed me to be better and strive for excellence.
"Dr. Cho is always very involved in the lesson. She is aware and is quickly able to identify the errors I made. This was efficient and very helpful for my learning. I appreciated her always being active and aware in my lessons."
"I never would have dreamed that I could learn as much as I have in such a short time. I am going to work to keep my skills up and keep learning. I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to learn under you."
"It was a pleasure being a student in your class. I have learned many valuable things that I plan to take with me when I continue practicing piano on my own. Thank you so much."
"With your guidance, I have tremendously grown as a musician and have developed a true appreciation for the piano."
"Dr. Cho adapted her teaching style to my playing. I really appreciate this effort and ability as a teacher."
"I always enjoy lesson with Dr. Cho, learning techniques with new ways of thinking and understanding. I always enjoy asking Dr. Cho questions (if I have them) about piano playing, the instrument, composers, pianists, and Dr. Cho seems happy to answer and converse. It makes the lesson more whole and makes a great atmosphere for a learning environment."
"My concept and grasp of musical concepts are always expanded and cemented in lessons with Dr. Cho. Through lessons with her, my musical listening skills have transformed and I am better able to critique recordings of myself and also to help others. wonderful!"
"She is good at giving great explanations with attention to detail. Has different examples if previous did not help. Looks at things from different angles to relate to other instrument and playing styles and techniques were helpful."
"Dr. Young-Hyun Cho is among the finest musicians that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She has transformed the way I play the piano and the way that I approach and interpret musical ideas. In addition to being an excellent musician of the highest order, she takes personal interest in her students, inspires them, and helps them to achieve a superior level of musicianship. My lessons with Dr. Cho were among the most influential and educational experiences that I have ever had in my academic career, and the lessons I have learned from her are something I will never forget."
– From anonymous University-wide student feedback