Mei Po Sum (aka “Po”)

Director of Piano with Po

I have been playing piano since the age of 5 and have never stopped. It’s a skill that stays with you for life if you nurture it at the outset and approach it from a place of enjoyment.

Often times I hear people say, “I used to take lessons, but I hated it and haven’t touched a piano since.” That’s a sad story to hear as most kids start out enjoying music on the piano.

What goes wrong along the way?

I believe things start to unravel if teachers use the same methods and the same materials for all of their students. A better approach is to look for fresh and tailored methods to bring out the best in each individual.

There is more than just one way to learn something and the ‘traditional’ way of teaching piano is less likely to appeal to kids who are growing up in a fast-paced, technologically-driven world. It’s so important to find new ways to engage with students and I do this by using many different teaching tools, such as:

• Board and card games
• Drawing
• Physical movement for rhythm
• Singing
• Percussion instruments
• Tablet/mobile apps

Of course, in amongst the fun there is no denying that to play the piano well requires discipline and tenacity. But hard work and practice doesn’t have to mean no fun. Kids (and adults!) will willingly play a piece over and over again if they enjoy it – whether it’s the musicality that sparks their imagination or if it’s a song from their favourite movie. Repetition comes naturally if you like what you are repeating. I therefore encourage my students to explore a wide range of music beyond just classical music. We look at pop, jazz, and whatever the student has an interest in.

Once a student’s interest is sparked, they are more willing and able to work on areas that are challenging for them.

This allows my students to develop excellent piano technique which opens up more and more musical repertoire for them to explore. We also delve into making our own arrangements and compositions which really brings out their inner musician!

My approach to teaching enables students to become well-rounded musicians who continue to play confidently and happily for life.