What else do you do during a given week besides your role at UChicago?
Besides my role at UChicago, I serve as the Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music. I split my time evenly between teaching Piano Pedagogy courses and seminars to piano performance majors and offering piano lessons to pre-college students at the Music Academy. I truly believe that music enjoyment and lifelong learning are important for everyone, especially as we move into adulthood. I love organizing the non-major piano program and special events at Northwestern. I feel fortunate to be able to extend that opportunity and share it with students in other institutions as well. In addition to my teaching duties, I regularly judge piano competitions and festivals and travel around the country to give masterclasses, workshops, and lectures. Outside of teaching, I enjoy going to concerts, practicing, and rehearsing with friends and colleagues for upcoming performances. And if the weather is just right, you’ll probably find me jogging in the morning or taking an evening walk along the lakefront of Lake Michigan.
Are there any exciting projects, collaborations, or initiatives underway in the Piano Program for next year?
Absolutely! We’re thrilled to announce a 2-Piano Day in Spring 2027, which will be filled with exciting events, all centered around music for two pianos. The day will feature a public masterclass, open rehearsals, and a festive showcase concert. We’re also collaborating with the Chamber Music Program for this event. All of these will take place at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Performance Hall.
If you could recommend one book, article, or resource to our alumni audience, what would it be and why?
I highly recommend Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing by Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Shinrin Yoku, literally translated as “forest bathing,” is a practice of immersing yourself in nature and engaging all five senses. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often weighed down by stress and emotional baggage. Forest bathing offers a way to leave urban stress behind and reconnect with nature. Next time you walk through a park or any green space, try leaving your headphones and devices at home. Don’t worry about your heart rate monitor or how many steps you’re taking. Instead, embrace the experience, connect deeply with nature, and discover your inner calm.
What advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?
Be proud of your journey and celebrate your graduation—it’s a huge milestone. But remember, it’s only the first step on the path to success. Keep walking your path and pursue your dreams with passion and determination. Challenges will come, and sometimes they may feel insurmountable. In those moments, remember: never give up.
In your career as a teacher and mentor to many students, what are some interesting ways that you have witnessed piano students continue to engage with music beyond graduation, particularly if they do not play music professionally?
What I witness every day from our students in the non-major program deeply inspires me. Depending on how you define “graduation,” I actually believe we never really graduate—we keep learning throughout our lives. For most young pianists who aren’t pursuing a professional career in performance, the end of high school marks the end of that intense pursuit, but their engagement with music continues in college and beyond. For them, music isn’t just ongoing study—it’s joy and passion. They learn, practice, and perform music they love, sharing it with audiences and communities both on and off campus. They pour their hearts into their practice rooms, then bring that joy to everyone beyond those four walls. They share their talent generously with the world. Music is powerful, and sharing it requires selflessness, generosity, and compassion. That’s what I witness every day, and it’s what inspires me most.