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.

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.

Veronica Kreeger is a musician committed to touching the lives of those around her. Since
starting her classical guitar journey in 2015, Veronica has been committed to using art for
healing. Her own personal journey has proven the power of music as a healing source and
sharing those qualities of music with the world is her main priority. In 2020, Veronica was
hospitalized for Covid-19 and went through a particularly rough case of the virus. A few months
later, her little sister tragically passed away. These events were devastating, but eventually they
helped to solidify her philosophy of music as healing. She believes that her dedication and
passion for music played a significant part in helping her to heal physically and emotionally from
these traumatic events. Veronica hopes that her story and music can serve as a testament to
the power of healing in music for listeners, players, and students alike.

Most recently, Veronica earned her Master of Music from the Peabody Institute of the Johns
Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where she studied with Thomas Viloteau. Much of her time spent at Peabody was in performing solo and chamber music at retirement homes with her colleagues, further solidifying her philosophy of music as healing. Veronica earned her Bachelor of Music from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado under the tutelage of Alex Komodore. She was also the very first teaching assistant to the guitar department at MSU Denver in 2019. She has received numerous awards from MSU Denver including the Jim Altman award. Veronica was granted a full scholarship to attend the 2018 Mendocino Summer Guitar Workshop with Andrew York and Alex de Grassi. She was a top three finalist in the 2018 and 2019 solo and chamber music competitions at MSU Denver and had the honor of performing in the first two
Provost Honors recitals at MSU Denver. Veronica has played in masterclasses with some of the
world's leading guitarists and musicians including David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Thibaut
Garcia, Andrew York, Nigel North, and more. Veronica is always open to collaborating with new
and unique ensembles and has appeared as a soloist with the Colorado Wind Ensemble.
She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University where she
serves as a teaching assistant and studies with Martha Masters.

Brooke Leinbaugh is a 23-year-old soprano from Kalamazoo, Michigan. In December of
2023, Brooke graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Michigan University with two
bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Music Education. During her time at
Western, Brooke performed multiple roles, including Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and
Susanna in Il segreto di Susanna. She was also an avid member of the college’s top choral
ensemble, University Chorale, with whom she performed multiple solos and large choral works.
Some of these included the mezzo soprano solo in Stravinsky’s Mass with the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra and a soprano solo in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Kalamazoo Symphony
Orchestra. In the spring of 2022, Brooke was the winner of the Western Michigan University
Concerto Competition, naming her as one of the top three musicians in attendance at Western’s
Fine Arts college. In the summer of 2023, Brooke attended the American Institute of Musical
Studies summer program in Graz, Austria. While there, Brooke studied with multiple teachers
and was cast to perform in a variety of piano/orchestral concerts. She currently spends her time
performing, teaching lessons, conducting choral works, and studying as she navigates her
master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University.

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.

Classical pianist Yucong Ma started learning piano at the age of five. Yucong performs regularly, including with the Bowling Green Philharmonic Orchestra and the Fundacao Rui Cunha concert series. 

Yucong has won numerous prizes, including 2019 - 3rd Prize, 6th Macao Asia-Pacific Piano Competition; 2018 - 2nd Prize and 3rd Lotus Cup Macao Youth Piano Competition. She received a tuition scholarship from BGSU in academic year 23/24, as well as the Cultural Bureau of Macau SAR Government Scholarship in 2020 and the Bank of China Scholarship in 2019. Yucong published an article titled“A Surreal "Absurd Adaptation" - An Accidentally Born Network Opera Covid Fan Tutte”in 2021, which is China's only classic opera art monthly periodical. 

Yucong received her bachelor’s degree from Macao Polytechnic University with Associate professor Loung Kim Yang and Dr. Igor Amaral and her master of music degree from Bowling Green State University with Dr. Solungga Liu. She is currently working on her doctorate in Piano Performance Pedagogy at Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Cathal Breslin and Prof. Hannah Creviston

Besides the piano, Yucong is also very fond of percussion and has studied Chinese folk dance for ten years. 

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.

Nicole Riddering, originally from Rochester, MN, is currently pursuing her Masters in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Music Theatre at Arizona State University. Nicole received her undergraduate degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.  While at Rollins, she actively performed with the music and theatre departments, building a strong background in both contemporary and classical solo and ensemble singing.  After graduation, she continued to perform with organizations such as Central Florida Community Arts, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, and Central Florida Vocal Arts.  She also enjoys sharing her original compositions and collaborating with other local singer/songwriters whenever possible.

In addition to being an avid performer, Nicole has a powerful passion for teaching. She has four years of private voice teaching experience.  Prior to starting her Masters at ASU, Nicole independently managed a private piano and voice studio of 23 students in Orlando, FL.  Nicole is a compassionate, effervescent, and versatile teacher.  She builds unique connections with each of her students and tailors each lesson to fit their individual learning styles.  Nicole is thrilled to continue sharing her love of music at ASU through teaching and performance!

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. 

Jennifer Hopper is a first year Master of Music student pursuing Opera Performance. She is a 23-year-old soprano originally from Detroit, Michigan. Jennifer received her bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance in Spring of 2024. In her time in undergraduate school, she performed in Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and Puccini’sSuor Angelica. Outside performing, she also upheld teaching students of various ages in the area in styles such as musical theatre and pop. This spring, she is looking forward to performing in ASU’s production of L’Orfeo by Monteverdi as well as covering the role of Susanna at a music intensive in Italy in the upcoming summer of 2025 in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. During the summer of 2024, Jennifer spent her time in Italy studying the Italian language and diction. There, she was involved in a production and various concerts/master classes. 

Alongside performing, Jennifer also has a great passion for teaching voice. She has had two years of teaching experience teaching classical voice as well as musical theatre. Her teaching approach is customized and adaptive to fulfill the needs and goals of each individual student. She looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and teach throughout her time her at ASU!

Sicheng Li is a classical pianist and educator from China. She began studying piano at the age of six. Her early studies eventually led her to the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in China, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance and received multiple awards including the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Scholarship and the Gold Medal at the 12th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition. In 2019, she was selected as an exchange student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with Dr. Annie Jeng and gained valuable international experience through recitals, studio concerts, and master classes.

Sicheng holds a Master of Music degree and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at Arizona State University, studying under Dr. Cathal Breslin. Her performance career spans China, the U.S., and Spain, with appearances at venues such as Conservatory of Music “Manuel Carra,” ASU Gammage, Katzin Concert Hall, Tempe Center for the Arts, and ZhouYin Concert Hall.

She also studies pedagogy with Professor Hannah Creviston and teaches group piano as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, working with both music majors and non-music majors. Her experience at ASU has deepened her passion for collaborative learning and informed her student-centered teaching philosophy. Beyond her academic training, Sicheng has taught private piano lessons since 2016 and served as a music theory tutor in China. She emphasizes flexibility, curiosity, and respect in her teaching. As both a performer and pedagogue, she is committed to nurturing expressive and confident musicianship in every student.

Rui Xi is a classically trained pianist and dedicated music educator with a diverse background in solo performance, chamber music, collaborative piano, and teaching. She is currently pursuing Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Arizona State University, where she also serves as a teaching assistant, instructing group piano, private lessons, and chamber music for undergraduate students.

She previously earned a Master of Music and a Performer Diploma in Piano Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from the Xi’an Conservatory of Music in China, where she majored in piano and minored in vocal performance. Throughout her studies, she has been mentored by esteemed teachers such as Dr. Cathal Breslin, Edward Auer, and Gregory Sioles, whose guidance has shaped her artistry and pedagogical style.

Rui Xi has given numerous solo and chamber recitals at notable venues, including Katzin Concert Hall (ASU), Auer Hall, Ford Hal and Recital Hall (Indiana University), and performance halls in China. She has collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists in recitals and served as a ballet accompanist at Indiana University. Her performance experience also includes participation in international festivals such as the Edward Auer Summer Workshop, the Beijing International Music Festival & Academy, and Yinchuan Piano Festival, etc. She has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Silver Prize in the “Kaibairi” Youth Piano Competition and Special Prize of the 7th National Piano Competition, etc. She is a recipient of scholarships and assistantships from both Arizona State University and Indiana University in recognition of her talent and academic excellence.

In her teaching, Rui brings over a decade of experience working with students of all ages and levels, including young children, adult beginners, and advanced college music majors. Her teaching approach is student-focused, encouraging, and rooted in strong technical and musical fundamentals. She has served as piano faculty in Indiana University’s Young Pianists Program and taught privately in both China and the United States.

As both performer and educator, Rui Xi is committed to fostering creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love of music in every student she works with.