ASU Community Music School

Siyi Chen is a pianist from Xiamen, China. She started learning piano at the age of five and gave her debut piano solo recital in Gulangyu Concert Hall in 2012. In the same year, Chen participated the International Piano Academy in Freiburg, Germany, where she studied with Prof. Jura Margulis and performed two concerts. In 2015, Chen made her New York debut at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, performing in “The Unknown Diabelli Variations” concert as the youngest pianist from Rutgers University. During her time at Rutgers, Chen actively performed in the Undergraduate New Music Ensemble, “Women in Art Music” concert series, Sounds of Chamber Music concerts, and Organ Department Concert Series. She also participated in the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina as a full scholarship recipient in 2016. In 2019, Chen entered the Mannes School of Music at The New School as a scholarship recipient. She actively performed in Mannes Sound Festival, Greenwich House Music School, and Mannes Fortepiano Seminar. She won several competitions, including the "Pearl River - Fort Caesar" National Youth Piano Competition in China, the Virtual International Music Competition in Malaysia, and the 6th Paderewski International Piano Competition in category “Piano Masters” in 2021 in the United States.

Chen received a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Rutgers University in 2019. She graduated with a Master of Music degree from Mannes in 2021, under the tutelage of Dr. Vladimir Valjarević. Her previous teachers include Ying Gai, Yubo Zhou, Paul Hoffmann, Barbara Gonzalez-Palmer, and Matti Hirvonen. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance under Dr. Cathal Breslin’s guidance at Arizona State University, with a teaching assistantship.

Hyeongji Choi is a pianist, Entrepreneur, and teacher who is expressed by the words “Passionate, Happy, friendly.” She is pursuing her doctorate degree in piano performance under Dr. Baruch Meir with teaching assistantships at Arizona State University where she earned her master’s degree as well. She received her Bachelor of Music in piano performance and Musicology from Seoul National University, studying with Aviram Reichert.

Hyeongji Choi has performed numerous solo recitals and performances, including Barness Recital Hall at the University of South Florida, Lewis House at Eckerd College, Tempe Center for the Arts, Mirabella at ASU, Katzin Concert hall, E.Mravinsky Music school Concert hall, Evans Auditorium, U-Square Kumho art hall, Sammo Art Center. Also, Hyeongji is the recipient of numerous piano festival honors including Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, White Nights International Piano Festival, and Tel-Hai International Piano Master Classes. Moreover, she was honored with an Academic scholarship with high honors, Special talent awards, a James Ruccolo Piano scholarship, and was awarded from MTNA Arizona State “Young Artist Performance” competition, MTNA Southwest region "Young Artist Performance", Conero International Piano competition. In addition to performing, she has also focused on providing enjoyable piano lessons for students. Beyond being a performer and teacher, she has also provided  engaging classical music concerts for non-musician as an Entrepreneur.

“The performers should help the audience to engage and enjoy classical music while also connecting the composer's intent with the audience. My fascination with combining historical context and musical imagination of classical works manifests my belief that performers must inspire with the audience’s hearts." - Hyeongji Choi

Mikaela Hannon is a flutist and music educator based in Tempe, Arizona. She has performed professionally with a variety of ensembles including the Washington-Idaho Symphony, Opuntia Winds, and the Braase-Hannon duo. Her achievements include First Place in the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition Talent Show division and First Place in the MusicFest Northwest Orchestral Excerpts competition. Mikaela is actively involved with the Arizona Flute Society, and is currently holds the position of Secretary for the organization. She is a passionate advocate for music education at all ages, and has taught students from infancy through adulthood.

Mikaela is currently a doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant at Arizona State University with Dr. Elizabeth Buck. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed an M.M. in Flute Performance at ASU and a B.M. in Flute Performance and Music Education at the University of Idaho with Dr. Leonard Garrison.

Eunbin Ko, an accomplished pianist, has dedicated her life to mastering the art of piano performance. She is originally from South Korea and spent most of her formative years in Japan. She began her musical training at a young age and has since established herself as a talented performer and teacher. 

Eunbin has achieved an impressive educational background, starting with a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Seoul National University in February 2020. Following that, she obtained a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan in December 2022. She is currently pursuing a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Piano Performance at Arizona State University, where she also works as a teaching assistant,  working closely with students to enhance their musical skills. Throughout her academic career, she has had the privilege of receiving guidance from an impressive array of distinguished professors in the field of piano performance, including Dr. Baruch Meir at Arizona State University, Christopher Harding at the University of Michigan, Hyeong Jun Chang at Seoul National University, Ian Hobson at the University of Illinois and Florida State University, and Shunji Itani at Kwassui Women's University in Japan.

In addition to her academic achievements, Eunbin has also attended numerous music festivals and competitions, including the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival in Florida, the International Summer Piano Academy at Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the Summer Piano Institute at the University of Illinois. In 2013, she won the Best Performance of Chopin Etude at the International Piano Festival and Competition held at the University of Utah. Eunbin has performed in various settings such as the Michigan Soloists Chamber Music Concert in Seoul, South Korea in July 2022, held a Master's Recital at the University of Michigan in January 2022, and had a Solo Recital at Seoul National University in December 2019.

Muyuan Liu was born in Chongqing, China. She began to study piano when she was 5 years old. She got her Bachelor's degree in music education and Master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Xi'an Conservatory of Music in China. She is pursuing her doctoral degree in piano performance and pedagogy at ASU, studying with Dr. Cathal Breslin and Professor Hannah Creviston.

Liu has given two solo piano performance concerts, participated in more than ten vocal concerts and chorus concerts as a piano accompaniment, etc. Got the First Prize in the Shanghai International piano competition (Shanxi Branch); the excellent award and the third award in Hong Kong international piano open competitions, etc. She has been working for 5 years as a piano teacher in the art department at a community college in China after she finished her Master's degree, teaching for adults. She also has her own piano studio with more than 10 students, and teaching for young kids (aged 5-12). She used to get the Excellent Teacher Award in the Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition; the Excellent Teacher Award in Xi'An " Looking For the Next Talent Pianist" Competition, etc.

Muyuan Liu is a person who is passionate about piano and education. She loves music and enjoys growing up with her students. "When I was growing up, I never hesitated about what career I would choose in the future." she said, "the moment I touched the piano, my journey with music began in such a romantic and firm way. I love my career in education, and I am willing to work for it all my life."

Qize Liu started receiving piano lessons at age of four. In 2016, he was accepted into University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to complete his Bachelor of Music degree, studying under the guidance of American pianist Dr. Brandon Kinsella on a scholarship. He completed his Master of Music in piano performance degree at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University as a pupil of Professor. Alexander Shtarkman on the Peabody Scholarship. In 2022, Qize Liu was accepted to the Music program at Arizona State University, where he also serves as a teaching assistant, working diligently and insightfully with students to mentor their musical growth. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in piano performance under the guidance of Dr. Baruch Meir with the ASU Special Talent Scholarship.

As a performer, Qize has performed on numerous music stages in America, Asia, and Europe, such as the Academy of Arts in Stettin in Poland, Universidad Laboral de Gijón in Spain, Steinway Recital Hall in Shanxi, China as well as Katzin Music Hall, Hilda and Douglas Goodwin Recital Hall, Leith Symington Griswold Hall, Kerr Cultural Center, College Walk Retirement Independent and Assisted Living Community, UTRGV Performing Arts Center, Brevard Music Center, Rocky Ridge Music Center, Gaertner Performing Arts Center, Meadows Recital Hall, and more. Qize has received numerous awards in piano competitions, including first prize at the Vienna Mozart International Music Competition, third prize at the London International Music Competition, special prize at the Birmingham International Music Competition, first prize at the 21st Century Talents Music Competition, first prize at the Maple International Music Competition, second prize at the Rocky Mountain International Music Competition, second prize at the Colorado International Piano Competition, and a finalist award at the Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Competition.

During his freshman year, Qize won first place in the Concerto Competition and performed Mozart's Sonata in D minor K466 on tour with the Texas Grand Valley Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Qize has been granted membership in various prestigious honor societies, such as the Golden Key International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. In May 2023, Qize Liu was selected to receive the sole Young Alumnus Merit Award by his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He was invited to hold a solo recital and give presentation and masterclasses at the School of Music. Qize is actively participated in top international music festivals and has received guidance from masters such as Jerome Lowenthal, Piotr Paleczny, Bernd Goetzke, Douglas Humpherys, Logan Skelton, James Giles, José Ramón Méndez, Norman Krieger, Gilead Mishory, Thomas Hecht, Sean Chen, Tanya Gabrielian, Ory Shihor, David Korevaar, and more.

Originally from Taiwan, Chun-Ya Pien is currently a D.M.A. student in piano performance at the Arizona State University where she studies with Dr. Baruch Meir. She holds a graduate assistantship where she teaches group piano courses for major and non-major students and private lessons. Chun-Ya has performed in Taiwan, the U.S., and Europe. She has participated in several competitions and received awards, such as Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition, Schubert Club Competition in St. Paul, MN, Fifth Annual Future Stars International Piano Competition, MTNA Young Artist Competition, State Division, Semper International Piano Competition, and Iowa Center for the Arts Scholarship Competition. Additionally, she was recipients of Ogilvie Stark Scholarship, Semper Music Festival Scholarship, and Iowa State Gold Merit Scholarship. Chun-Ya attended international music festivals such as Semper Music International Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, and Vienna MusikSeminar. Besides performing as a soloist, she is also an active chamber musician where she received coaching and masterclasses with JACK Quartet, Brentano String Quartet, Miró Quartet, Pacifica Quartet, Spektral Quartet, Daedalus Quartet, Emerson Quartet, Orion Weiss and in 2018 with Emanuel Ax.

Chun-Ya earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance with honors in music and high distinction from the University of Iowa. She continued her master’s degree in piano performance at Iowa and graduated in 2021, both under the tutelage of Dr. Ksenia Nosikova. During her master’s study, she held graduate assistantship where she accompanied instrumentalist, teaching group piano courses and private lessons. She was also the ballet pianist for the University of Iowa Youth Ballet and School of Dance. Chun-Ya is a member of Music Teacher National Society and the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.

Siobhan Plouffe, from Rochester, New York, is currently pursuing a Master's in Saxophone Performance from Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Creviston. Siobhan completed her undergraduate degree in Saxophone Performance at the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Chien-Kwan Lin. In addition to Dr. Christopher Creviston and Chien-Kwan Lin, Siobhan has had the opportunity to study with SSG Doug O’Connor, Vincent David, Lars Mlekusch, Dr. Nicki Roman and many others.

Siobhan is currently a member of ensembles such as the Hibiki Quartet, the ASU Saxophone Choir and the ASU Wind Ensemble. Previously, she was a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble and the Eastman Saxophone Project

In addition to those groups, Siobhan holds the alto chair in the award winning Scio Quartet. Scio has been a prominent Rochester-based chamber ensemble with a focus on performing and teaching a wide range of music for an equally wide range of audiences. Scio has participated and won top prizes in a variety of competitions, including, but not limited to, bronze in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2020), first prize in the National MTNA Young Artist Chamber Competition (2019) and first prize in the 198th Army Band Solo and Ensemble Competition (2018, 2019). The quartet has also performed as a featured ensemble at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and also played Octet for Wind Instruments by Igor Stravinsky at the 2020 NASA Conference with the Aruna Quartet. In Rochester alone, Scio has performed for the RIT Osher Institute, Memorial Art Gallery, George Eastman House, Children's School of Rochester, Strong Medical Center and the Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance. Scio has also performed in Virginia, Florida, and enjoyed a week-long tour of Northern California.

As a soloist, Siobhan was the recent winner of the 2020 Empire State Collegiate Solo Competition, and was given honorable mention in 2019.

Siobhan has taught numerous students ranging from young beginners to collegiate students and hopes to continue reaching out to new communities through her music so that she can share her passion with aspiring musicians.

Derick Sears is a current doctoral student under Martha Masters at Arizona State University. Derick Sears grew up in the Greater Buffalo New York area, receiving his bachelors of arts in music from Buffalo State College studying under Professors Evan Drummond and Kahlil Sarikey. In his time at Buffalo State, Derick ran the Buffalo State Guitar club, hosting over 10 different concert events programmed across the year as well as bi-weekly lessons free to students on campus. He also participated in grant funded research through the school's undergraduate research small grants program. Derick has Co-hosted 6 different guitar festivals over the course of his 8 semesters at Buffalo State, Woman of Guitar and the Brouwer in Buffalo International Composition Competition and Festival, to name a few. These experiences have led to a deep and encompassing understanding of music professionalism, grant writing, and the nonprofit arts. As well, these concert event opportunities have led to several teaching experiences with world renowned talent. Derick has received masterclass teaching from Maestro Leo Brouwer, Rene Izquierdo, Thomas Viloteau, Iliana Matos, Douglas Lora, Andrea Gonzalez, Raphielle Feuillatre, and Luiz Zea. Derick is currently studying his culminating degree, a Doctoral Master of the Arts in Classical Guitar performance with a focus in creating new arrangements for the guitar.

YoonJi Seo was born in Seoul, South Korea and has been studying piano since the age of four. She won several competitions both in Korea and in the United States, including American Protege International Competition, Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, Texas Music Teacher Association Young Artist Piano Competition, Kansas Music Teacher Association Piano Competition, Missouri Western State University Young Artist Piano Competition, Seoul Piastra competition to name a few. She has performed at multiple venues including Kosciuszko Foundation Auditorium and Carnegie Hall in New York City, White Concert Hall at Washburn University, Ewon Cultural Center in Seoul, Korea and Jaani Kirik in St. Petersburg, Russia. She also participated in the  White Night International Piano Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. She performed in masterclasses by renowned pianists, Stijin de Cock, Aviram Reichert and Lucille Chung.

YoonJi was an adjunct faculty at Piano Preparatory Department at Southern Methodist University, where she also worked as a graduate teaching fellow during her master's degree. She has been actively teaching for over eight years and taught at the Institute for Young Pianists at SMU and taught private lessons, group classes, and master classes for young children. She was also a class piano instructor for undergraduate students at SMU. YoonJi earned a master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy at SMU and received an artistic scholarship and a graduate assistantship. She will pursue her doctoral degree under Dr. Baruch Meir in piano performance and pedagogy with teaching assistantships at Arizona State University in fall 2021.