Sarah Tao 陶玉
Founder
Advanced Piano Instructor
UBC (M.MEd., UBC)，（Uvic, B.Mus) , （RCM Advanced Piano Specialist Instructor）
As the founder and director of the studio; Ms.Tao has been dedicated to cultivating and growing the studio since establishing it in 2018, guided by her rigorous, detailed, and highly patient pedagogical philosophy. Under her thoughtful leadership, the studio has not only developed a systematic, high-standard, and personalized curriculum but has also actively created performance opportunities for students, including successfully hosting well-received student recitals and various other musical events. Her students have consistently achieved outstanding results in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) examinations and have actively participated in major youth piano competitions and local music festivals, earning remarkable recognition. Ms. Tao remains deeply committed to enriching children’s lives with a passion and love for music. Under her guidance, countless young pianists have not only mastered their technical skills but have also built confidence in a supportive and encouraging environment, truly falling in love with the sound of the piano.
Emily Liu 刘老师
Piano Instructor
Bachelor of Music in Piano （B.Mus, Uvic）
Emily began learning piano at the age of two with her mother and started formal lessons at age four. She went on to complete several performance and theory certificates with First Class Honours through the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) before earning her Bachelor of Music degree from University of Victoria. There, she studied under the guidance of Eva Solar-Kinderman, Yoomi Kim, Bruce Vogt, and other inspiring mentors. Throughout her university years, Emily volunteered at local hospitals performing for patients, accompanied chamber choir ensembles, and participated in collaborative music competitions. These experiences helped shape both her musicianship and her love for connecting with others through music. Emily is passionate about helping young pianists build confidence and discover the joy of learning in a supportive and encouraging environment. By blending the foundational methods that shaped her own musical journey with creative, individualized approaches, she tailors lessons to each student’s unique learning style and goals. She teaches in English and can also communicate in conversational Mandarin. Outside of music, Emily enjoys baking, travelling, teaching English and French, and is currently pursuing legal studies.
Seira Hayakashi 早借星良老师
Piano Instructor
Bachelor of Music in Piano （B.Mus, Uvic）
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She started playing piano at the age of 7. Ms. Hayakashi is fluent in both English and Japanese. Ms. Hayakashi is a patient, friendly, and well – disciplined teacher with adequate teaching experience. She is specialized in teaching piano from beginner to intermediate level with competent result. She has studied piano with Steinway Artist Professor Arthur Rowe and holds Bachelor of Music in Piano from University of Victoria. Aside from school, she has also performed in a Rock Band as a keyboardist. In Vancouver, she was an accompanist for Sakura Singers (Japanese choir group) for 4 years. Seira is member of CoSei – A duo with a Koto (Japanese Traditional Instrument) player/singer and has been performing in various Japanese Festivals. She is also a pianist and vocalist at Holy Cross Japanese Anglican Church in Vancouver.
Zhentong Wang王桢通老师
Piano Instructor
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance（B.Mus, McGill）
As an alumnus of the Schulich School of Music of McGill University with a major in Piano Performance, Zhentong have studied the art of the piano extensively for 17 years and have received formal training in solo performance, collaborative piano, music pedagogy, music theory, and music history. A regular performer at various music festivals and competitions in New Brunswick, having won the First Prize at the NB Provincial Finals in the Intermediate Piano category in 2017, the first runner-up “Senior Star” Award (2019) and the Outstanding Senior Piano Award (2025) at the NB Competitive Festival of Music in Saint John, as well as the “Advanced Star of the Festival” at the Greater Moncton Music Festival in 2025. Zhentong was a participant in the 2020 non-competitive Canadian Music Competition and have been a two-time finalist in the FCMF National Music Festival in the Emerging Artist Stream. Throughout my undergraduate studies at McGill, as well as a recipient of the highly selective Arts Scholarship Program of ArtsNB. Aside from those successes, as a guest performer at musical events such as the Christmas Special “Noël à la caserne” and Jeunesses Musicales of Canada. As a pianist who studied under various eminent professors from around the globe, had the privilege to discover a world full of expressions, nuances, and stories hidden within the piano, and it is his pleasure to share that world with his students. Whether it is strengthening one’s techniques, improving one’s musical sensitivity, nurturing one’s passions, or building one’s knowledge, the lessons will be specially designed to develop every student’s musical capacity accordingly in every aspect.
Ben Liao廖先斌老师
Online Music Theory Teacher
Graduate of McGill University Faculty of Arts, Department of Philosophy and Schulich School of Music；Department of Music Research, Theory, Piano Concentration
Postgraduate work in University of St. Andrews, Philosophy ；RCM Registered Teacher; Certified Advanced Theory Teacher
Ben has expertise in Music Theory, Analysis and Improvisation. He is an experienced theory, music history/appreciation, musicianship and aural skills teacher to students of all ages and background. In his 10 years of professional teaching, he has developed a unique and engaging method for instilling the necessary music tools to enable enjoyable and meaningful music-making and has helped innumerable students achieve their musical, academic and examination goals. In his theory teaching, he has experience teaching and emphasizes the interplay between history, harmony and counterpoint, comparative (modern and historical) performance research, music analysis and composition, as well as aesthetics, philosophy of arts and philosophy of language and logic. In his piano teaching, he is careful to explain composers’ intentions and the range of interpretive possibilities by laying open for students the historical background, musical form, musical allusions and the character of each piece of music they undertake. Ben’s teaching style may be described as kind, approachable and patient, meticulous and rigorous in equal measure. He is most excited to share with students the musical logic and grammar behind the printed notes and is committed to cultivating in his students the soft skills needed to become confident, expressive and independent self-learners and musicians.
Jasmine Lo 小风老师
Online Music Theory Teacher
Bachelor of Music in Voice （B.Mus, Uvic），Master of Music（MMT, WLU），Registered Music Therapist in Canada（MTA）
Jasmine Lo holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from the University of Victoria and a Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a registered music therapist and an experienced music educator in RCM music theory curriculum，who has worked with children with special educational needs, adults, and seniors. Jasmine has practiced in diverse cultural settings, including Waterloo, Toronto, and Hong Kong. Her roles have included early years music educator, theory teaching assistant at Wilfrid Laurier University, and church musician. Her clinical internships involved work with seniors with dementia, adults in forensic settings, and patients in a rehabilitation hospital. She currently works in Hong Kong as a music therapist with children and older adults across schools, non-profit organizations, churches, and private settings, and she also serves as a vocal coach for community choirs. Drawing on her professional and life experiences, Jasmine believes deeply that music is a powerful form of communication and connection. She blends technical skills with music theory, musicianship, ear training, and encouragement of improvisation and creative expression. Her sessions aim to be warm, engaging, and goal-focused so that children and adults can experience success and build confidence. Jasmine enjoys seeing students light up when they connect through music and watching small successes grow into lasting confidence. Committed to ongoing professional development, she is pursuing further studies in play therapy and DIR/Floortime to refine her therapeutic skills and to support learning in nurturing, relationship-based environments.