Yihan Piano Studio

I have been playing piano for 25 years and teaching for more than a decade, and I’ve also been a student myself — sometimes making good choices, and sometimes not-so-good ones. Those experiences taught me what makes a teacher truly helpful. My goal is to help every student not just “get by” at the piano, but to experience the joy of playing beautifully and meaningfully. I don’t expect all of my students to pursue music as a career, but I do want each of them to feel proud, content, and inspired when they sit at the instrument.

Here is how I am different from other teachers:

• I am a performer as well as a teacher. I have won international piano competitions, including the Kawai Asia Piano Competition, the Shenzhen Piano Open Competition, and the TMTA Piano Competition. I have appeared as a festival fellow at the Castleman Quartet Program, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, and Eastern Music Festival, and I was honored to perform for the Embassy Series in Washington, DC. Teaching is not a substitute for performing in my life — it is something I do alongside it, which means I bring the perspective of an active musician into every lesson.

• I teach with flexibility and persistence. Every student is unique. If one method doesn’t work, we try another until it does. As long as you (or your child) commit to regular practice, I commit to helping you make real progress — in technique, theory, and expressive playing. My goal is not just to teach notes, but to help you understand music at a deeper level.

• I know what it’s like to face challenges at the piano. While some teachers were child prodigies who seemed to play effortlessly from a young age, I know what it feels like to struggle through difficulties and push past them. This makes me patient and resourceful in helping students overcome their own challenges.

• I bring an international perspective. Having studied and performed across different countries, I have been exposed to a wide range of pedagogical approaches and performance traditions. This allows me to offer students a broad, adaptable perspective on learning the piano.

I am based in North Austin near The Domain and also offer online lessons. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, I would love to help you grow as a musician and discover the joy of making music.