游琴 Yóuqín
游，意为游戏、游玩、游览，也可以是在水中游泳。
在游琴，我们弹琴不是为了成为钢琴家，而是通过钢琴进入音乐。
像游戏，像探索，像漫游。有时也像游泳——沉浸在声音里，顺流而行，偶尔迷路，也偶尔发现新的风景。
在这里，我们学习的不只是钢琴技巧，更是在音乐中建立属于自己的关系：聆听、表达、创造，并享受其中的乐趣。
The Chinese character 游 (yóu) means to play, to wander, to explore, and to swim. 琴(qín) means instrument.
At Youqin, piano is not a destination but a way into music.
A way to play with sound, wander through music, to follow your curiosity, to get lost and find your way again, and to slowly build a relationship with music that is entirely your own.
Teaching approach
I believe music is not something to master, but something to build a relationship with.
My teaching focuses on helping students develop a solid foundation while cultivating an intimate and personal connection with music. Lessons encourage curiosity over perfectionism, playfulness over pressure, and independence over reliance on a teacher.
Through playing, listening, improvising, and creating, students are invited to discover their own way of entering music and to develop a musicianship that is uniquely their own.
Practice is shaped around the life you actually have, with flexible and sustainable approaches that allow music to remain a living part of everyday life.
My hope is that, over time, students become not only more confident pianists, but independent musicians—capable of learning, exploring, and finding joy in music for years to come.
我相信，音乐不是一项需要征服的技能，而是一种可以陪伴终身的关系。
我的教学在帮助学生建立扎实音乐基础的同时，也重视培养人与音乐之间亲密而真实的连接。我鼓励学生以好奇心代替完美主义，以玩心代替压力，在弹奏、聆听、即兴与创作中，逐渐找到属于自己的音乐之路。
练习并非脱离生活而存在。我们会根据你真实的生活节奏，一起寻找轻松、可持续且有效的练习方式，让音乐能够自然地融入日常，而不是成为额外的负担。
我的目标不是培养依赖老师的学生，而是帮助他们成为独立的音乐实践者——能够自主学习、持续探索，并在未来的人生中，始终拥有一条通往音乐的道路。
Fee & scheduling
Initial Consultation: Free, 15 minutes
Trial lesson: USD $30, 30 minutes
Tuition is charged as a monthly flat rate and includes four lessons per month for weekly students or two lessons per month for bi-weekly students. In months with a fifth lesson date, students may add an extra lesson at the regular single-lesson rate or take that week off.
Monthly Tuition Rates in USD:
Lesson length | weekly | bi-weekly
30 minutes: $180 weekly / $90 bi-weekly
45 minutes: $270 weekly / $135 bi-weekly
60 minutes: $360 weekly / $180 bi-weekly
*A 5% discount is available with automatic recurring monthly payments.
*Extended absences or vacations may be accommodated with a reduced lesson-hold fee, which reserves the student’s regular lesson time while they are away.
Tuition includes:
• Regular one-on-one lessons via Zoom or WeChat Video
• Personalized repertoire and learning materials
• Lesson notes and feedback by text or email
• Short demonstration videos when helpful
• Scheduling flexibility when arranged in advance
• Personalized piano arrangements of songs you would like to play
• Optional exploration of songwriting, piano composition, and practice as meditation
When a regular lesson cannot be scheduled, an asynchronous lesson may sometimes be arranged in its place. Students may submit practice videos or theory work and receive written feedback and video demonstrations as needed.
Cancellation
Lessons may be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Students may request a make-up lesson, but availability cannot be always guaranteed.
Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged. When appropriate, an asynchronous lesson may be offered in place of the missed live lesson.
Payment
Tuition statements are emailed on the first day of each month and are due by the seventh.
Tuition does not include books, a metronome, or other supplementary materials.
Payment is accepted through PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, or Interac e-Transfer.