Our Teachers

Inspiring Piano Teachers – Unlock your potential with expert guidance from our talented teachers.

Ms. Yuliana Wijaya, Director

Hailed by Steinway and Sons as a “Top Piano Teacher 2022,” Ms. Yuliana has already attained national and international success.  Originally from Indonesia, she began her musical training at age eight privately and later on, moved to Jakarta Conservatory of Music in Indonesia and Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China. She is an alum of Manhattan School of Music with a master’s in piano performance. She is an active participant in summer music festivals and has performed in concerts and masterclasses around the world. In 2014, she was selected to perform with University of Allicante Orchestra in Italy under baton Dan Wen Wei.
 
As an educator, she has years of experience working with children of all ages and levels. She found her passion in teaching from an early age, back in high school. Her students are active performers and has won numerous competitions and completed ABRSM and RCM exams. Her focus in teaching is to retain the interest and joy of music in each student while building up their ability and skills continuously  Her strength is classical music. However, she also combines and introduces other genres like jazz, pop, etc., to her students. Yuliana is also an active collaborator and ballet accompanist.

Ms. Maria Malik, Assistant Director

a Taiwanese pianist, came to NYC when she was 12 and has been living in the city since then. Maria started playing piano when she was four and got into special music elementary school when she was 9. At age of 12 she was accepted by the Juilliard pre-college division. Maria graduated her bachelor and master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music. She had been studying with professor Julian Martin, chairman from Manhattan School of Music Marc Silverman, and Russian virtuoso pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine.

Maria has a great experience with performing and ten years of teaching experience. Maria’s students have gone on to win several piano competitions and receive great results in both ABRSM and NYSSMA exams. Creating an exciting environment and maintaining students interest, are her main goal in teaching. Learning piano is like learning a new language, and everyone has their own pace, Maria believes in the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation. Giving each student the tools to become an independent, confident musicians, and discovering the classical music world with her.

Ms. Anu Uranchimeg

Originally from Mongolia, Anu has been playing piano for 22 years. As a classical pianist, whose entire life has been connected with music, she has been taught with both Russian classical music training and American music training. Anu attended one of the most prestigious music school in Mongolia called Mongolian Music and Dance Conservatory until 2012. She received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Augustana University and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX in. Recently, she received an Advanced Certificate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at New York University.

Anu has been performing internationally, and has also received prizes and honors from international competitions since she was young. Anu loves teaching as much as performing. She has years of teaching experience. She taught students of different ages starting at two years old up to adult students. She hopes to be a mentor who can encourage and motivate her students and help them find their own strengths as well as to help them flourish their talents.

Ms. Chia Ni Wu

Born in Taiwan and raised in Malaysia, Chia Ni started playing piano at the age of 4. Since at early age, Chia Ni had always shown an interest in teaching. Her passion for piano and teaching was further ignited in high school when she found herself leading music outreach activities to underserved communities. Chia Ni received a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Music Teaching and Learning at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where she was also certified as a New York State K- 12 General Music Teacher. She then moved to the city to further her studies in Performing Arts Administration at New York University in 2018.

Despite the move from music education to administration, Chia Ni’s passion for piano playing and teaching never stopped. With an extensive experience teaching toddlers and all the way to college students in private and group settings, Chia Ni truly believes that every individual has the potential to be musical and to play music. She customizes her lessons plans for each student, and conducts lessons with aims to drive students to be self-directed learners, active listeners, and critical thinkers. Therefore, Chia Ni’s lessons are often student-led and she plays the role in facilitating and guiding.

Ms. Sally Yapto

Sally Yapto, an internationally acclaimed Indonesian pianist, has won numerous prestigious competitions and captivated audiences worldwide with her expressive musicality and compelling interpretations. She made her solo debut in Jakarta in 2016, sponsored by I-MEC and Yamaha, and has since graced stages across New York, Los Angeles, Italy, Bangkok, and Singapore, among others. Highlights of her career include winning the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition 2024 and becoming the youngest to achieve the highest score in Indonesia’s ATCL Trinity Diploma. Beyond traditional concert venues, Yapto is passionate about connecting with diverse audiences through community performances and digital media, collaborating with various artists and brands. A summa cum laude graduate, she continues to refine her artistry as a Master’s student at the Manhattan School of Music

As a passionate classical pianist, my teaching philosophy centers around fostering curiosity in music. I aim to create a supportive and inspiring learning environment that will encourage students to explore their musical potential while focusing on building a solid foundation in technique and musicality. I tailor my approach to each student’s unique needs, helping them enrich their minds as pianists and, more importantly, as individuals.

Mr. Javier Jbara

Javier Jbara is a versatile pianist and music director with 14 years of experience performing in various genres, including jazz, classical, pop, and world music. A summa cum laude graduate of City College of New York with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, he has studied under renowned mentors such as Arturo O’Farrill, Mike Holober, Ray Chew, and Steve Wilson. Javier has performed at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, showcasing his adaptability across diverse musical styles. In addition to performing, he has crafted original compositions and arrangements that reflect his creativity and depth as a musician.

As a passionate music educator, Javier has been teaching piano, music theory, and jazz improvisation to students of all ages. He tailors his comprehensive lesson plans to meet the unique needs of each student, whether they are beginners or advanced learners. His dedication to music education extends beyond the classroom through his active online presence, where he shares jazz piano and production tutorials with over 34,000 followers. Javier’s teaching approach is recognized for its creativity and effectiveness, building confidence and a love of music in his students. Â