Introduction: Hello! My name is Lucy Yao and I am a Brooklyn based educator, improviser, (toy) pianist, composer, and am currently a vocal coach at the New School. I earned my Master's degree in Classical Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and since then have branched out into teaching Pop, Contemporary, Music Theory, and Improvisation as well.
As an educator and in my own practice, I am always trying to push the boundaries of what classical musicians are capable of. Classical music is only one entry point into developing a deeper connection with music that is personal, and realizing that has made me extremely open to working with students on an improvisatory curriculum that tunes into their needs and interests.
Our lessons are combination of traditional methods, including ABRSM, Faber, Helen Marlais, as well as technique and abilities needed to become confident in creating music. I'm a huge advocate for using design thinking in my teaching practices, which encourages students to look at the bigger picture and to work on a holistic approach to analyzing the patterns and shapes in music that makes playing time-efficient and enjoyable.
Together, my students are a range of ages, and have successfully learned pop, classical, and improvisation.
I teach all ages and abilities and have taught as guest artists in masterclasses internationally. This past year, I taught at the Irving S. Gilmore Festival as a guest educator, as well as a featured guest artist at the World Piano Teacher Association in Novi Sad, Serbia.
My goal is to make students build a healthy relationship with music and to believe and learn efficiency and passionate led practice methods to follow through.
Additional experience: M.M. in Classical Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music
Experience teaching at International Keyboard festivals such as the Irving S. Gilmore, Interlochen Arts Academy, and University of Michigan as a vocal coach.
Since quarantine, I’ve converted to all virtual lessons in the interest of safety for my students and myself. This has been an enormous yet fruitful effort, and has worked successfully with students from 4 years old to older students who wish to revisit piano.
Methods include ABRSM, Faber, or one of my favorites: combining the students’ interests and music that is part of their lives into a comprehensive understanding using music theory, technique, and classical music.
Please feel free to listen to my work below and reach out with any questions you have! At the moment, I am only able to take long-term and weekly students.
