Studio

Dr. Ya-Liang Chang: drchangpianostudio@gmail.com, 408.675.9896

  • Doctor degree, DMA in Piano Performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music 
  • Master degree, MM in Piano Performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music
  • Over 25 years of teaching experience as a university professor, conservatory preparatory department faculty, and private studio teacher
  • Members of MTAC and MTNA/CAPMT
  • President of MTAC Santa Clara County Branch
  • Bio and Teaching Philosophy Now accept new students!

Enrollment and Contact

  • Email or call for audition and enrollment
  • Cell/Voicemail: 408.675.9896
  • Sunnyvale Lakewood Studio: close to the intersection between Lawrence Express and 101. Easy access to I-101, 237, and central express. 
  • Global Online lessons available for all programs
  • Trial Class Procedure

Programs

  • Teach students from 5 to adults/ beginner to advanced levels
  • Private lesson: piano, piano duet, chamber ensembles - 30/45/60 minutes
  • Curriculum Exams: 
  • Recitals, Performance Class, and Competitions
  • Online Theory class 75 minutes for RCM, ABRSM, and CM
  • NEW! Computer Lab for Ear Training and Theory available. It is perfect for siblings while waiting for lessons. (temporarily suspended due to covid)
  • For Teachers: Piano Pedagogy Workshops and Classes

Studio News Updates! 

  • Sunnyvale Studio is now having TWO Grand Pianos! This update allows us to include repertoires for the concerto and two pianos and participate in more events and competition categories! 
  • Advanced technology equipment to enhance the online lesson experience!
Student Achievements:
Congratulations on my students' achievements!! Check out their beautiful performances on the Studio's Facebook Page and Youtube Page

2024 San Francisco International Piano Competition
Sanyi Yao and Maggie Sun, Finalist
 
2024 Feb-Aug RCM exams: First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Tristan Chang: Level 8
Amanda Leung: Level 4
 
Rui Wen Lin: Theory Level 5 
Eric Zeng:  Theory Level 5 
 
RCM First Class Honors 80-89
Kaylee Chen: Level 5
Alyssa Leung: Level 3
Madison Chen: Level 2
 
Sanyi Yao: 
1st Place Winner, Outstanding Gold Medalist, and Crystal Award recipient  in Showcase Piano Solo Intermediate Division
Rui-Wen Lin: 
2nd Place in the Treasury of Baroque Composers Intermediate
3rd Place in the Treasury of Classical Composers Intermediate
Eric Zeng:
3rd Place in the Treasury of Baroque Composers Intermediate
Larry Pham:
4th Place in the Treasury of Baroque Composers Intermediate

2023-24  RCM exams: First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Practical/performance
Zoey Meixner: Level 5
Larry Pham: Level 5
Kaylee Chen: Level 4
Madison Chen: Level 1

Theory
Justin Chang: Level 6
Eva Xu: Level5
Zoey Meixner: Level 5
 
RCM First Class Honors 80-89
Justin Chang: Level 6 
Rui-Wen LIn: Level 5
 
2023 ABRSM: Distinction
Zanda Zhu: Grade 8 130/150

Sanyi Yao: First Alternate Winner, Division I (age 12 under) 

2023 Jan-May RCM exams: First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Practical/performance
Cindy Liang: Level 9
Amanda Leung: Level 3
Judy Liang: Level 3
Theory
Justin Chang: Level 5

First Class Honors 80-89
Practical/performance
Justin Chang: Level 5
Mani Ranganathan: Level 4
Veronica Zhu: Level 3

Sanyi Yao: 
1st Place Winner, Outstanding Gold Medalist, and the Special scholarship in Showcase Piano Solo Junior Division
Regina Lin: 
Gold Medal in the Treasury of Contemporary Composers Junior
Third Place in the Treasury of Romantic Composers Junior
Larry Pham:
3rd place in the Open Solo 4B
4th Place in the Treasury of Contemporary Composers Intermediate

Nov-Dec 2022 RCM EXAMS: 
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Evan Qui: Leve 6

First Class Honors 80-89
Justin Chang: Level 5
Veronica Zhu: Level 3

March - Oct 2022 RCM EXAMS: Students who achieved Gold and State Awards and High marks are invited to the Northern California Celebration of Excellence Recital (NCC)
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Tristan Chang: Level 7
Jason Liang; Level 6 (NCC)
Jerry Liang: Level 6
Mani Ranganathan: Level 4
Kaylee Chen: Level 3 (NCC)
Ted Gao: Level 3

First Class Honors 80-89
Maggie Sun: Level 9
Rishi Ranganathan: Level 8

August 2022 RCM Theory 8 Exam:
First Class Honors with Distinction 96-100
Tristan Chang
Yaya Li
Cindy Liang
Maggie Sun
Sanyi Yao

Sanyi Yao: 1st Place Winner, Outstanding Gold Medalist and the special scholarship: Treasury of Classical Composers Category 3, Senior Division. 4th Place Winner Showcase Piano Solo Category 12, Junior Division USOMC.

Cindy Liang: 2nd Place Winner Showcase Piano Solo Category 12, Junior Division, USOMC

Evan Qiu: 2nd Place Winners the Treasury of Romantic and Contemporary Composers Category 4 and 5, Junior Divisions USOMC

Rishi Ranganathan: 3rd Place Winner the Treasury of Contemporary Composers Category 5 USOMC

Maggie Sun: 4th Place winner Showcase Piano Solo Category 12, Junior Division USOMC.

Nov-Jan 2022 RCM EXAMS
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Veronica Zhu Level 2

First Class Honors 80-89
Shari Walczak Level 6
Judy Liang Level 2

June-Oct 2021 RCM EXAMS:
Northern California Region Excellence:
Erin Tjangnaka Level 5 

First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Tristan Chang: level 6
Justin Chang: level  5
Claire Tjangnaka: level 4
Kaylee Chen: level 2 

First Class Honors 80-89
Zoey Meixner: level 3

RCM Theory Exam 
Tristan Chang: Level 7, 92

Sanyi Yao: Grand Prize Winner Pelican International Music Competition Grand Prize Showcase Award
1st Place Winner. Outstanding Gold Medalist and the special scholarship: Showcase Piano Solo Category 12, Junior Division, USOMC

Jeffery Wang: 1st Place Winner Open Solo Category 1, Classical, level 4; 4th Place Winner Treasury of Classical Composers Category 3, Intermediate, USOMC

Cindy Liang: 2nd Place Winner Open Solo Category 1, Romantic,  level 4, USOMC

Erin Tiangnaka: 2nd Place Winner Treasury of Classical Composers Category 3, Intermediate, USOMC

Claire Tiangnaka: 2nd Place Winner Open Solo Category 1, Romantic, level 2, USOMC

Maggie Sun: 3rd Place winner Showcase Piano Solo Category 12, Elementary Division, and Open Solo Category 1, Romantic, level 5, USOMC

RCM EXAM:
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Evan Qui Level 5

First Class Honors 80-89
Jason Liang Level 5
Jerry Liang Level 5

MAR-APR: 2021

RCM Exam
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Erin Tjangnaka Level 5

First Class Honors 80-89
Shari Walczak Level 5

RCM Theory Exam level 5 90 % and above:
Jason Liang
Jerry Liang
Evan Qui

FEB 2021
Maggie Sun, 1st Place Winner, Category A, CAPMT California State Honors Competition District 2
Maggie Sun, 2nd Place Winner, Category A, CAPMT California State Honors Competition State Finals

Dec 2020 and JAN 2021 RCM Exams:
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Cindy Liang Level 7
Yaya Li Level 6
Jessica Chen Level 5
Kaylee Chen Level 1

First Class Honors 80-89
Jeffery Wang Level 6
Justin Chang Level  3
Judy Liang Level 1

RCM Theory Exam level 6:
Tristan Chang Level 6 - 97
Jeffery Wang Level 6 - 95

NOV. 2020  CAPMT 2020 Piano Audition SCV Winners:
Jerry Liang Level 5
Jason Liang Level 5

RCM Winners for the 2021 Jan Celebration of Excellence Recital:
Logan Song, Grade 6 - RCM
Yaya Li, Grade 5 - RCM
Shari Walczak, Grade 4 - RCM
Claire Tjangnaka, Grade 2 - RCM

August 2020: Bay Area Piano Competition 9-10 category
Sanyi Yao: 2nd place
Maggie Sun: A Merit Award 

May 2020: RCM Exams
First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100
Logan Song, Grade 6 - RCM
Yaya Li, Grade 5 - RCM
Shari Walczak, Grade 4 - RCM
Erin Tjangnaka, Grade 4 - RCM
Claire Tjangnaka, Grade 2 - RCM
Zoey Meixner, Grade 2 - RCM

Feb. 2020: The United States Open Music Competition
Maggie Sun, Gold Medal in The Treasury of Classical Composers, Junior, Silver Medal in The Treasury of Baroque Composers, Intermediate, and Bronz Medal in The Treasury of Romantic Composers, Junior.
Cindy Liang, Gold Medal in The Treasury of Classical Composers, Junior, Winners in The Treasury of Romantic Composers, Junior and Open Solo Category 3D.
Sanyi Yao, Silver Medal in The Treasury of Baroque Composers, Intermediate and Winner in Open Solo Category 5D
Zanda Zhu, Silver Medal in The Treasury of Romantic Composers, Elementary.

Jan 2020
Sanyi Yao, Winner - Honorable Mention, Category A, CAPMT California State Honors Competition District 2

 Dec 2019
Zanda Zhu, First Class Honors with Distinction 90-100, Grade 4 - RCM
Joanna Tan, First Class Honors 80-89, Grade 9 - RCM
Cindy Liang, First Class Honors 80-89, Grade 5 - RCM
Jessica Chen, First Class Honors 80-89, Grade 4 - RCM
Pranav Sethuraman, First Class Honors 80-89, Grade 4 - RCM
Justin Chang, First Class Honors 80-89, Grade 2 - RCM

NOV. 2019 CAPMT 2019 Piano Audition SCV Winners:
Tristian Chang Level 5
Jerry Liang Level 4
Jason Liang Level 4
Justin Chang Level 2

Oct 2019: RCM Award winners: Royal Conservatory of Music State and Center Certificate of Excellence
Zanda Zhu, Grade 2, State and Center Certificate
Jessica Chen, Grade 3, Center Certificate


Feb 2019: The United States Open Music Competition
Sanyi Yao, Distinguished Gold Medalist in categories 4 & 5, The Treasury of Romantic and Contemporary Composers, Junior.
Esther Kim, Gold Medalist in The Treasury of Classical Composers, Intermediate; Winners in Open Solo 5D and The Treasury of Romantic Composers.  Intermediate.
Logan Song, Silver Medalist in categories 5 & 7, The Treasury of Contemporary and USA Composers, Junior.
Cindy Liang, Silver Medalist in The Treasury of Baroque Composers, Elementary; Winner in The Treasury of Contemporary and USA Composers, Junior.
Tristan Chang, Winner in The Treasury of Romantic Composers, Junior.
Jessica Chen, Winner in The Treasury of Baroque Composers, Elementary.

Sept 2018
Award winners: Royal Conservatory of Music State and Center Certificate of Excellence
Cindy Liang: Grade 3 (state and center)
Shari Walzak: Grade 2 (center)
Jessica Chen: Grade 1 (center)

Teaching Philosophy and Method and Podcast

  • Teach music conservatory piano techniques that build strong playing skills at all levels/ages.
  • Instruct effective practicing methods that benefit lifelong learning.
  • Combine traditional lessons with Music Apps for ear training and theory.
  • Specializing in teaching Curriculum Exams and Competitions.

Students Winning Awards:

  • Winners: MTAC Piano SOlo and Concerto Competitions
  • Winners: US Open Music Competition
  • Winners: MTNA/CAPMT Piano Audition Santa Clara Chapter 
  • Winners: RCM Program State and Center Certificates of Excellence
  • Winners: MTNA/OhioMTA Buckeye pre-college State Competition
  • Recipient: Kentucky Greaves Governor’s School for the Arts Scholarship for gifted children
  • Winners: MTNA/OMTA SW/district Audition Festival

Professional Organizations: 

  • Music Teachers National Association/CAPMT: State Chair of Honors Competitions (an advanced and prestigious competition for highly motivated students)
  • MTAC: Foundation Chair for Santa Clara Branch
  • CAPMT: Find a Teacher
  • MTAC Find a Teacher
  • MTNA Nationally Certified Teachers of Music directory

Reviews & Testimonials

"My son started taking piano lessons from Dr. Chang when he turned 8. I used to accompany him to his lessons and was extremely impressed with Dr. Chang's knowledge, passion, patience and teaching skills.  Dr. Chang also encouraged and trained her students to participate in various events, which built self-confidence and stage presence in her students. Dr. Chang helped my son develop a sound foundation in classical music which has served him very well over these years. Thank you, Dr. Chang." - Parent

My daughter and I who started to learn piano and music from zero, do not know the purposes of doing different technics. For example, we did not realize how bad it was by playing the chords louder than the melody until Dr. Chang showed us the difference, we then clearly understood and now working on it. After learning this technic, I asked myself, "yeah, it does sound much better, but how come we did not hear this before…..?" We love hearing Dr. Chang playing the piano, and without her pointing out the purpose of using specific technics, our ears are not able to differentiate which sound is better or worse. I feel so lucky to have her as my daughter's teacher!" - Parent

"Dr. Chang has done an excellent job in teaching techniques and explaining learning concepts to my child. She has grown so much technically and musically!" - Parent

"Dr. Chang is an incredibly effective and knowledgeable teacher. Her investment in me has not only made an impact on my development as a piano student but as an artist." University piano major student (faculty evaluation)

"Dr. Chang is a phenomenal teacher who is very patient with my son. She sets high expectations that within reasonable reach. She helps him become a better piano player." - Parent

"Well taught techniques...Dr. Chang provided me with feedback when I needed the most during struggling. This personal assistance fixed all the technical problems I faced." - University piano major student (faculty evaluation)

"Dr. Chang has a great way of modifying my lessons on a weekly basis to help me accomplish the goals that put forth at the beginning of the year. It's been a joy to work with her." -  University piano minor student (faculty evaluation)

"..Dr. Chang's piano students, both majors, and minors, very obviously liked and respected her. Her applied piano students were always extremely well prepared for jury examinations. She trained them thoroughly in the performance practices of each style period and always paid scrupulous attention to technique." - NKU Piano Professor

"...Dr. Chang's teaching is consistently strong, and students find her to have high expectations, but always willing to assist a student in reaching his or her goals..." NKU Music Department Chair

"I am writing you of a very special recognition. You have been identified by an NKU student as having the greatest impact on their academic and personal development...I wanted to personally commend you on this accomplishment. To be chosen by a student for special recognition is quite an honor" - NKU Vice President for Student Affairs
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