~ Tier II Teacher ~
Liangjun Shi
Voice
Liangjun Shi was a frequent recitalist in his home country of China. He recorded two Chinese art songs for the textbook Bel Canto of China to be published by the People’s Music Publishing House nationwide. In addition, Shi was the winner of the
First Prize (preliminary) and the Second Prize (final) in the 24 th International Student Competition held by Music Association of Korea in 2011, and the First Prize winner
in the 6 th Sino-Singapore International Music Competition in 2012. His stage roles include Don Quixote/Cervantes in Man of La Mancha directed by Joseph Graves; Remendado in Carmen; Priest and Man in Armour in Die Zauberflöte
directed by Peer Boysen; Xuan Wang in The Song for Xuan Wang, among many others.
Mr. Shi currently studies at the School of Music in The Ohio State University, in
a dual degree program: Master of Arts in Voice Pedagogy and Master of Music in Voice Performance, in conjunction with Singing Health Specialization Certificate.
His teaching philosophy is to help students build up a healthy, pleasant and flexible singing voice in both classical and musical theatre styles connecting with character’s stage performing crafts. He accomplishes this based on each individual’s
physiological condition and personal interests.
M.A., M.M. in Voice Performance &Pedagogy
SHS Certificate The Ohio State University
Professional study Boston University
M.F.A. Peking University
B.A. Chengdu University of Technology
Joanna Li
Guzheng
Joanna Li has more than 10 years of experience teaching both private lessons and group classes at every level. She and her students have performed in China and the United States. She has been focusing on teaching and spreading Chinese culture by performing at various events like the Columbus Asian Festival and Chinese festival. She enjoys teaching students the professional techniques of Guzheng while sharing the rich Chinese culture behind the instrument.
Joanna is a member of Zheng Society, Chinese Musicians Association, Zheng Professional Committee and China Nationalities Orchestra Society. Joanna has won multiple gold and silver awards in National folk instrumental music competitions.
B.A. in Music Education Tangshan Normal University
Adam Hoffman
Drum set
Adam Hoffman has been performing professionally for over twelve years with local and national acts. Originally from Cincinnati, Adam began teaching lessons from his parent’s basement over nine years ago. He has released two albums of original music, one of which was entirely composed, mixed, recorded and arranged by Adam (Wrong Music by Adam Hoffman Music). He has also recorded on several albums of other artists. Soon after graduating from Capital University with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, Adam was accepted by Lime Entertainment Agency to work as a Showband Musician for Princess Cruises on three separate contracts. While working as a Showband Drummer he had the opportunity to share the stage with incredible acts like: The Modern Gentlemen (of Frankie Valli’s Four Seasons), Donnie Ray Evans, Ric Steel, and many more. His sight-reading and stylistic abilities allow drummers of any level and background to be taught with ease.
Recently moved back to Columbus, Adam works as a freelance drummer in the local music scene and a content creator on YouTube and Instagram. Adam Hoffman’s theory of teaching is the following: Take a concept that is perceived as difficult, and make it simple. This concept translates to any subject and practice; especially drumming. Adam not only teaches his students how to be drummers, but how to be musicians.
B.M. in Jazz Studies Capital University
Lauren Edwards
flute
Lauren Edwards has been playing the flute for thirteen years, and teaching private flute
lessons for five years. She enjoys performing in a variety of ensembles, including flute quartet,
mixed woodwind, symphony orchestra, and jazz combos. One of Lauren’s most notable
highlights was performing Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun with the Ohio
University Symphony Orchestra. Professionally, she has performed on flute and piccolo with the
Ohio Valley Symphony, Otterbein Summer Theatre Program, Parkersburg Choral Society, and
for weddings at Hocking Hills.
In addition to performing as much as possible, Lauren prioritizes taking time to teach. At
Ohio University, she enjoyed teaching flute lessons, flute methods, music theory, and flute choir,
as the flute teaching assistant. She has been a part of the Athens Community Music School since
2017. Before that, she taught lessons in school districts surrounding Columbus. In the summer of
2018, she served as the masterclass clinician at the Capital University Winds and Percussion
Camp.
M.M in performance Ohio University
B.M. in music education Capital University
Liangjun Shi
Voice
Liangjun Shi was a frequent recitalist in his home country of China. He recorded two Chinese art songs for the textbook Bel Canto of China to be published by the People’s Music Publishing House nationwide. In addition, Shi was the winner of the
First Prize (preliminary) and the Second Prize (final) in the 24 th International Student Competition held by Music Association of Korea in 2011, and the First Prize winner
in the 6 th Sino-Singapore International Music Competition in 2012. His stage roles include Don Quixote/Cervantes in Man of La Mancha directed by Joseph Graves; Remendado in Carmen; Priest and Man in Armour in Die Zauberflöte
directed by Peer Boysen; Xuan Wang in The Song for Xuan Wang, among many others.
His teaching philosophy is to help students build up a healthy, pleasant and flexible singing voice in both classical and musical theatre styles connecting with character’s stage performing crafts. He accomplishes this based on each individual’s
physiological condition and personal interests.
M.A., M.M. in Voice Performance &Pedagogy
SHS Certificate The Ohio State University
Professional study Boston University
M.F.A. Peking University
B.A. Chengdu University of Technology
Dr. Wei-Yi Sun
Piano
Wei-Yi has performed and won many awards internationally and locally. She was one of the finalists in Forte International Music Competition and one of the semi-finalists in NTD International Piano Competition in New York. Several honors she received include first prize of MTNA Competition (Ohio State Division), First Prize of OhioMTA Graves Piano Competition, and the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Award. In 2018, she received several prizes such as the 2nd prize in the Women in Music Competition in Columbus, winner of the OSU School of Music DMA Concerto Competition, and recipient of a Studying Abroad Scholarship from the Taiwan Ministry of Education.
Wei-Yi is not only a sought after solo and collaborative artist but a dedicated teacher. She was a Graduate Teaching Associate in the School of Music where she taught both music and non-music majors. In all three years of being a teaching associate at the Ohio State University School of Music, she received the outstanding graduate associate award each year. She also volunteered in Liou-Guei Summer Piano Camp for three years and taught students from age 6 to 70. She believes that every student is different and hence deserves a different approach according to their skill level and personality. She has great passion in teaching piano and is happy to share her knowledge of piano with her students.
D. M. A. in Piano Performance
The Ohio State University
M. M. in Piano Performance Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
B. M. in Piano Performance Tunghai University, Taiwan
Lauren Edwards
flute
Lauren Edwards has been playing the flute for thirteen years, and teaching private flute
lessons for five years. She enjoys performing in a variety of ensembles, including flute quartet, mixed woodwind, symphony orchestra, and jazz combos. One of Lauren’s most notable highlights was performing Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun with the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Professionally, she has performed on flute and piccolo with the Ohio Valley Symphony, Otterbein Summer Theatre Program, Parkersburg Choral Society, and for weddings at Hocking Hills.
In addition to performing as much as possible, Lauren prioritizes taking time to teach. At Ohio University, she enjoyed teaching flute lessons, flute methods, music theory, and flute choir, as the flute teaching assistant. She has been a part of the Athens Community Music School since 2017. Before that, she taught lessons in school districts surrounding Columbus. In the summer of 2018, she served as the masterclass clinician at the Capital University Winds and Percussion Camp.
M.M in performance Ohio University
B.M. in music education Capital University
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Zsolt Dvornik
Guitar/Bass
Zsolt is an active pit musician, in central Ohio he played acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, ukulele and banjo in dozens of theater musical productions. You can also hear him in the Rick Brunetto Big Band, in Matt Ellis and Standard Time, John Vermeulen´s Swing Orchestra and the octet with Brian Michael Smith, and he appears from time to time in Vaughn Wiester´s Famous Jazz Orchestra.
Z's guitar and bass guitar lessons are designed to help complete beginners, intermediate and advanced players between the ages of 9 and 99. Beginners don’t need previous music experience to join his lessons. They’ll learn how to hold the instrument, how to identify strings, frets and fingers; and also basic single note melody playing, guitar chords and the correct technique to switch between chords seamlessly. Students will learn also about the notes in music, basics of notation, beats and rhythms.
Intermediate and advanced students will learn songs in different styles to develop a repertoire. Besides technique, we will talk about just enough theory to boost their learning speed as a musician. The students will learn about improvisation, sight reading, music composition, comping, and constructing solos in different styles and of course about many other things. The lesson plan for each student is continuously evolving based on their progress, their situation, their specific challenges and needs.
Dr. Timothy Ledger
DNA Manager
Piano
American pianist Timothy Ledger is an enthusiastic and versatile performer, teacher, and scholar. Throughout his education, Tim competed and won prizes in local, state, national, and international competitions, including OhioMTA Buckeye Auditions and Graves Piano Competitions, the MTNA Competitions, the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, and many more. More recently, he has performed as a collaborator, featured soloist, and recitalist in North America and Europe, and his performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the Shostakovich Piano Quintet were featured on CBC Classical.
For more than a decade, Tim has accrued an array of teaching experience: music theory, aural skills, chamber music, and vocal coaching, in settings from large lecture-style classrooms to one-on-one instruction. As a piano instructor, he has taught a diverse assortment of students between ages 5 and 85, from complete beginners to graduate piano majors. Tim has served on the faculties of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Marianopolis College, and McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. He also has teaching and adjudication experience with various community and examination programs, like RCM. His students have won prizes in competitions, admission to select universities, scholarships from various arts organizations, as well as placement in competitive, non-musical organizations and internships. By individually tailoring instruction to each student, developing inclusive course materials, and consistently educating himself and evaluating his role as a teacher, Tim encourages the development of impactful, profitable transferable skills in his students: active listening, critical thinking, and creative imagination.
D.M., McGill University Schulich School of Music
M.M. and Performer Diploma, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
B.M., University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Robert Firestone
Guitar
Robert Firestone has been playing guitar for almost 50 years. He is versatile in a wide variety of genres including jazz, classical, classical-rock, jazz-rock, country-rock and just about about everything else!
After several years of teaching, he decided to return to school and pursue a Master’s Degree after becoming fascinated with the sounds of Impressionism on the classical guitar. University of Akron was the choice for this endeavor. Robert studied with Stephen Aron and Douglas James.
Robert has over 40 years of teaching experience! He wants to help more students pursue music degrees and become professional guitarists. Robert is very focused on technique and help student achieve higher level of playing, but the same time he enjoys helping beginners to explore the magic in guitar. A real love of teaching has endured through the years and enabled Robert to teach all ages and all levels of study.
M.M in Classical Guitar Performance
University of Akron
B.M. in Jazz Composition.
Primary Instrument: Jazz Guitar
The Ohio State University
Dr. Caroline Bergan
Voice
Caroline Bergan graduated with a doctorate degree and a Singing Health Specialization at The Ohio State University.
Ms. Bergan earned her master's degree and Artist Diploma at the Cleveland Institute of Music. As a performer Ms. Bergan has performed in Italy, Norway, and Austria. Ms. Bergan made her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in their centennial season opening production of The Cunning Little Vixen. Ms. Bergan has sung in masterclasses for Renée Fleming, Renata Scotto, Julia Faulkner, Warren Jones, and Bo Skovhus. She has performed Poulenc's Gloria with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra and Berlioz selections from Beatrice et Benedict with the Duke Orchestra.
Ms. Bergan has experience teaching voice to a wide range of age groups and experience levels, both privately and within academia. Ms. Bergan’s teaching method is one based on her knowledge base of the voice and singing health. Ms. Bergan aims to help a student grow their voice in a safe, fun, challenging, and healthy manner.
DMA in Voice Performance
The Ohio State University
A.D. from The Cleveland Institute of Music
M.M. from The Cleveland Institute of Music
B. M from The University of West Florida
Yang Li
Chinese Bamboo Flute
Yang Li,Young bamboo flute teacher, School of music and dance, Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Conductor of College Students' National Orchestra, Young visiting scholar of Ohio University. He graduated from the Department of national instrumental music of Shenyang Conservatory of music, bamboo flute master. He studied under professor DaiYa of the central Conservatory of Music, a famous bamboo flute player. Yang used to be a bamboo flute player in the Central National Song and Dance Troupe and China Song QingLing Foundation International Art Center teacher. During his study and work, he successfully held many solo recitals and visited the United States, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and other places for cultural exchange performances. He has published many academic journal papers since he was a teacher. His students have won many awards foe their outstanding performance in various major competitions and performances.
M.M. in Bamboo flute performance
B.M. in Bamboo flute performance
Shenyang Conservatory of Music
Visiting scholar (Conducting)
Ohio University School of Music
Dr. Anita Chiu
Violin
Violinist and Pianist Yi Chieh Anita Chiu is a native of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. At age 4, she began studying the piano and the violin. She served as concertmaster at National FHSH symphony orchestra, NTUA symphony orchestra, BG Sinfonietta and BGSU Philharmonia. Ms. Chiu graduated with a DMA degree in Violin Performance with a graduate teaching associateship at The Ohio State University where she studies with Dr. Kia-Hui Tan. Ms. Chiu holds Master’s degrees in Violin Performance and Collaborative Piano from Bowling Green State University where she studied with Dr. Penny Kruse and Dr. Solungga Liu. A recipient of 2016 Distinguished Studio and Creative Arts Award at BGSU, Ms. Chiu won the first prize in graduate division in 2015 Douglas Wayland Chamber Music Competition as a violinist as well as the second prize in graduate division, and the third prize in undergraduate division as a pianist in 2016 Conrad Art Song Competition. Ms. Chiu performs regularly with Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Lima Symphony Orchestra where she serves as assistant concertmaster. She was also awarded a fellowship to be a resident artist in Atlantic Music Festival in 2018. Ms. Chiu believes that each student has his or her own unique talent, and is committed to provide suitable directions to her students.
D. M. A. Violin Performance from The Ohio State University
M. M. Collaborative Piano from Bowling Green State University
M. M. Violin Performance from Bowling Green State University
B. F. A. Violin Performance from National Taiwan University of Arts
Dr. Danqing Xu
Piano
Danqing Xu is from a musical family in China and began her musical studies at the age of six. She studied piano from the winner of the Van Cliburn competition, pianist Vladimir Viardo. As a pianist, Danqing performed and won many awards both locally and internationally, including the Karlovac Piano Festival and the First Prize of MTNA competition (Alabama division). She was also invited as a soloist to perform a concert by the Penn state Village in 2021 and received scholarships and awards including “Special Talent Award-Music Scholarship” as well as Graduate Assistantship.
Danqing has more than 15 years of piano teaching experience, teaching in China and the U.S. She was a piano instructor in the prep program at Arizona State University and has rich teaching experience with autistic children. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in a balance between building a firm foundation in technique and cultivating creative musical expression through an exploration of a diverse range of styles. She believes every student is different and the teacher should personalize piano lessons for their unique needs.
D.M.A. in Piano Performance from Pennsylvania State University
M.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Arizona State University
B.M. in Piano Performance from Arizona State University
Yu-Wen Wang
Cello
Yu-Wen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Curtis Institute of Music. Her long time mentors include Peter Wiley, Orlando Cole, and Carter Brey. Yu-Wen is a versatile performer; she has appeared as a soloist
with the Temple University Youth Chamber Orchestra and the Taipei Civic Symphony Orchestra and was a recipient of the Chi-Mei Artist Award. She has also played in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan for many years. As an active chamber musician, she has worked with musicians such as Pam Frank, Ida Kavafian, Toby Appel, Hsin-Yun Huang, Roberto Díaz, Andrés Díaz
and Ronald Thomas in numerous chamber music festivals including Music@Menlo, Music From Angel Fire, Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, Caramoor Rising Stars Program and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. In her recent years, she has toured with her string trio HEY Trio with fellow Curtis graduates throughout Taiwan and was
privileged to be invited to perform on a 1709 Antonio Stradivari cello ‘Boccherini’ sponsored by the Chi-Mei Foundation at the National Concert Hall in Taipei for its 30th year celebration.
Aside from performing, Yu-Wen is passionate about teaching and working with students of all ages and abilities. She has taught students
ranging from third grade to high school seniors. She believes that mentoring her students is not only about helping them build good technical foundations and providing musical insights on cello playing, but also sharing and relating her own personal life experiences with younger generations.
B.M. in Cello Performance from Curtis Institute of Music
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Yibing Fu
Piano
Yibing Fu started her piano study at the age of four in China. She earned both bachelor's degrees in piano performance from Shandong Normal University and Nazareth College, under Dr. Jacob Ertl's studio. She recently acquired her Master's degree from Ohio University in Piano performance and pedagogy studying with Dr. Emely Phelps. She is experienced in teaching both private piano lessons and group piano teaching classes as a Graduate Assistant at Ohio University.
Yibing has professional and methodological research in piano pedagogy and is passionate about teaching piano. She employs a creative variety of teaching approaches to her piano lessons. She has been active in the Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) since 2017, participating in chapter projects every year. Yibing believes the most important thing about teaching piano is building up interest and happiness in students while guiding them to grow in their musical study.
M.M. in Piano performance and pedagogy from Ohio University
B.M. Shandong Normal University, Piano performance/B.M. Nazareth College of Rochester, Piano performance
Qian Yoyo Liu
Founder, Piano
Audition Required
The founder of DNA Music Academy is Qian ‘Yoyo’ Liu, owner of a very successful piano studio which has served the Columbus area for more than 10 years. High standards and a persistence of excellence has made her studio stand out among others. Yoyo strives to help each student achieve their full potential in music by participating in judicial events but also believes in the power of learning to play music to help enrich their lives. She believes one of the most important things her students get from learning an instrument is the early realization in life that it takes hard work to learn to do something well.
Good qualities like persistence, patience, passion, self-reliance, willpower, self- confidence and communication are all brought out while learning to play music. Yoyo believes the role of a piano teacher is not just an educator but a mentor and life coach to young students. It has always been a dream for Yoyo to have her own music school so that she could promote her teaching philosophy and train new generations of students and teachers who share the same goals and, for teachers, a passion for teaching.
M.M. in Piano Performance
The Ohio State University
M.A. in Church Music
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
B.M. in Piano Performance
Capital University
Dr. Fan Zhang
Special Guest Teacher. Piano
By appointment only, contact us for Rate
Praised by world-renowned pianists and pedagogues as an illustriously insightful pianist who plays vividly with great spirit and brilliant touch, Chinese-born pianist Fan Zhang is an active performer of solo and collaborative piano works, and embraces a wide range of repertoire and styles from Bach and Haydn to Albeniz, and Scriabin. She has concertized internationally in many stages including ones in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, California, Liaoning, and Ningxia, China.
In addition to performing, Fan is passionate about teaching. She has enjoyed ten years of teaching experience working with piano students in a variety of settings in the United States and China. She has taught class piano and piano lessons for five years during her graduate studies at both the University of Michigan, and Indiana University. Dr. Zhang also had a successful piano studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, teaching piano students of all ages and abilities with various aspects of technique and musicality. Her studio has been ranked No. 1 piano studio in Ann Arbor in 2016 on the well-known Thumbtack. Her students have participated in the Michigan Students Achievement Test, and received excellent grades.
D.M.A. in Piano Performance
The University of Michigan
M.M. in Piano Performance
Indiana University
B.M. in Piano Performance
Capital University