Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy
Ludwig van Beethoven
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age can a child start learning piano?
A: Typically, once a child can recognize numbers and letters and focus for duration of a lesson, they’re ready to begin. But the most important factor is their natural interest in music. Children who show curiosity and joy toward music tend to thrive and enjoy the learning process much more.
Q: How are the lessons structured?
A: This program offers more than just private lessons. Students attend two sessions each week. One focuses on personalized instruction—developing technique, interpretation, and repertoire. The other is a masterclass-style group session including music theory, ear training, sight reading, technique, and performance practice. Participating in both sessions is essential to experience the full benefits of the program.
Q: Why is it important to start piano lessons at a young age?
A: Starting early allows a child to develop music as a mother tongue. Just like learning to speak, young children absorb musical sounds, finger coordination, and aural sensitivity instinctively.
At this age, music isn’t something they try to understand—it simply becomes part of them. Early exposure builds the foundation for lifelong fluency in the language of music, with both artistry and ease.
Q: How do such young students improve so quickly in your program?
A: The rapid progress many of my students experience comes from a teaching method that has been carefully built over many years. This approach is not found in standard textbooks or generalized curricula. It begins by uncovering each student’s unique musical gift—a gift that may be hidden, but always present. I have a deep sensitivity for bringing out what is often unseen, and I design highly personalized instruction based on those individual gifts. Because of this, even very young students are able to perform advanced, artistic repertoire in a surprisingly short time. Many students who struggled in other environments have found success and transformation through this unique, nurturing approach.
Q: How can I join the program?
A: Admission begins with a short interview or audition to assess each student’s level and learning style.
Q: What happens during the interview?
A: Each student has different goals, so the interview is a time to discuss their aspirations, evaluate how much time and dedication they can commit to practicing, and design a personalized lesson plan. We’ll also talk about setting clear goals and whether the student is ready to take full responsibility for their progress. It’s a collaborative step that sets the foundation for meaningful musical growth.
Q: What kind of students are accepted into the program?
A: We’re looking for students who can commit to daily practice and families who are actively involved. Especially for younger students, consistent support from parents is key—helping them practice and staying in communication with the teacher. A supportive and communicative home environment is essential.
Q: How much and how should my child practice?
A: It’s not about how many minutes, but how much is accomplished. The goal is to fully absorb what was taught in each lesson and come back the next day ready to build on it. That means practicing enough each day to master the material covered. Daily, focused practice is the foundation of growth.
Q: What if I don’t have a musical background? How can I help my child at home?
A: That’s absolutely fine! For families who need extra support, I provide private video links that recap key lesson points. These videos are shared by request only and are accessible only to the specific family. Even without a music background, parents can confidently guide their child’s practice using these personalized tools.
Q: What if my child is shy or lacks confidence?
A: That’s actually very common, and this program is designed to build confidence step by step. Through gentle performance practice, supportive feedback, and a nurturing environment, students learn not only to play well—but to believe in themselves.
As someone who was very shy as a child, I genuinely relate to and cherish students who are more reserved. In fact, I often find that shy children carry a deep artistic sensitivity that isn't always expressed through words or behavior, but reveals itself powerfully through music. While communication may take more patience, these students often blossom into the most expressive and soulful musicians. I truly love teaching them.
Q: Why do I see so many stuffed animals in your videos?
A: The stuffed animals aren’t just decorations—they actively participate in lessons! They speak, dance, and embody different musical characters based on the piece being studied. They engage with students, spark imagination, and offer creative ideas in real time.
These characters help bring music to life, adding color, emotion, and playfulness to each lesson. They play a big role in nurturing creativity and making musical interpretation a joyful, expressive experience.
Q: How can your instructions be so fun, imaginative, and full of humor—while still being so professional and high-level?
A: That balance comes from years of world-class training paired with my own creative spirit. I was fortunate to study under internationally renowned professors who passed down the highest level of classical technique and artistic tradition.
At the same time, I bring my own voice to every instruction—through storytelling, humor, and spontaneous creative ideas that engage and inspire. The result is a rich, joyful experience where students often say they don’t even notice time passing. My instructions are not just about playing correctly—they’re about feeling music deeply, expressing it freely, and loving every moment of learning.
Q: Why isn’t the full curriculum posted on the website?
A: The full curriculum is discussed after the interview or audition. Due to increasing cases of unauthorized copying by other teachers and websites, I do not share full curriculum details publicly. This is to protect the originality of the program and respect copyright. Thank you for understanding.

Congratulations to BMA's Accomplished Young Artists
Shanna Wu won a Gold Medal at 2025 Viennese Festival
Aria Li won a Gold Medal at 2025 Viennese Festival
Akangsha Amit won a Gold Medal at 2025 Viennese Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2025 Viennese Festival
Shanna Wu won a Gold Medal at 2025 Virtuoso Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Silver Medal at 2025 Virtuoso Festival
Aria Li won a Silver Medal at 2025 Virtuoso Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2025 Virtuoso Festival
Shanna Wu won a Gold Medal at 2025 Bach Festival
Aria won a Gold Star Medal at 2025 Bach Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2025 Bach Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Gold Medal at 2025 Bach Festival
Emily Lu won a Bronze Medal at 2025 Bach Festiva
Hallie Lyu won a Gold Medal at 2024 Virtuoso Festival
Lily Liu won a Gold Medal at 2024 Virtuoso Festival
Emily Lu won a Gold Medal at 2024 Virtuoso Festival
Shanna Wu won a Gold Medal at 2024 Virtuoso Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2024 Viennese Festival
Lily Liu won a Silver Medal at 2024 Viennese Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Silver Medal at 2024 Viennese Festival
Shanna Wu won a Silver Medal at 2024 Viennese Festival
Shanna Wu won a Bronze Medal at 2024 Chopin Northwest Competition
Lily Liu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Emily Lu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Lily Liu won a Gold Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Alexa Maldonado won a Gold Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Nicole Ryu won a Gold Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Olivia Lee won a Bronze Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Shanna Wu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Anya Liu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Virtuoso Festival
Anya Liu won a Gold Medal at 2023 Viennese Classical Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Gold Medal at 2023 Viennese Classical Festival
Olivia Lee won a Gold Medal at 2023 Viennese Classical Festival
Lily Liu won a Silver Medal at 2023 Viennese Classical Festival
Shanna Wu won a Bronze Medal at 2023 Viennese Classical Festival
Olivia Lee won a Gold Medal at 2022 Bach Festival
Anya Liu won a Gold Medal at 2022 Bach Festival
Hallie Lyu won a Silver Medal at 2022 Bach Festival
Alexa Maldonado won a Silver Medal at 2022 Bach Festival
Nicole Ryu won a Gold Star Prize at 2022 Bach Festival
Chris Zang won a Silver Medal at 2022 Virtuoso Festival
Alexa Maldonado won a Silver Medal at 2022 Virtuoso Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2022 Virtuoso Festival
Anya Liu won a Silver Medal at 2022 Virtuoso Festival
Chris Zang won a Distinguished Gold Medal at 2022 Viennese Classical Festival
Olivia Lee won a Silver Medal at 2022 Viennese Classical Festival
Aahaan Desai won a Bronze Medal at 2022 Viennese Classical Festival
Alexa Maldonado won a Honorable Mention Prize at 2022 Viennese Classical Festival
Chris Zang won a Silver Medal at 2021 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Olivia Lee won a Gold Medal at 2021 Bach Festival
May Sun won a Silver Medal at 2021 Virtuoso Festival
Chris Zang won a Honorable Mention at 2021 Bach Festival
Chloe Wang won a Gold Medal at 2021 Virtuoso Festival
Yeriel Kim won a Gold Medal at 2021 Virtuoso Festival
Chris Zang won a Silver Medal at 2021 Virtuoso Festival
Yeriel Kim won a Gold Medal at 2021 Classical Viennese Festival
Chloe Wang won a Bronze Medal at 2021 Classical Viennese Festival
Yerang Kim won a Gold Medal at 2021 Russian Chamber Music Compeititon
Chloe Wang won a Silver Medal at 2021 Virtuoso Festival
Chloe Wang won a Bronze Medal at 2020 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Grace Li won a Gold Medal at 2020 Virtuoso Festival
Grace Li won a Bronze Medal at 2020 Bach Festival
Grace Li won a Gold Medal at 2020 Classical Viennese Festival
Grace Li won a Bronze Medal at 2020 Bach Festival
Anna Li won a Gold Medal at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Nyle Gronlund won a Silver Medal at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Shoshana Novik won a Bronze Medal at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Nora Sharma won a Bronze Medal at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Malini Nayak won a Bronze Medal at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Aiyin Yi won an Honorable Mention at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Annie Chen won an Honorable Mention at 2019 Virtuoso Festival
Grace Li won a Gold Medal at 2019 Classical Viennese Festival
Angelique Wu won an honorable mention at 2019 Classical Viennese Festival
Justin Wu won an honorable mention at 2019 Classical Viennese Festival
Grace Li won a Silver Medal at 2019 Chopin Northwest Festival
Shoshana Novik won the Third Prize at 2018 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Grace Li won the Third Prize at 2018 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Angelique Wu won an Honorable mention at 2018 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Malini Nayak won an Honorable mention at 2018 Virtuoso Festival
Malini Nayak won the First Prize at 2016 Russian Chamber Music Competition.
Grace Li won a Gold Medal at 2018 Virtuoso Festival.
Grace Li won a Silver Medal 2017 at Virtuoso Festival.
Annie Chen won an Honorable Mention at 2018 Virtuoso Festival
Shoshana Novik won a Bronze Medal at 2018 Virtuoso Festival.
Nora Sharma won a Bronze Medal at 2015 Virtuoso Festival.
Nora Sharma won the Second Prize at 2015 Russian Chamber Music Competition
Ike Wonkaew won an Honorable Mentionl at 2015 Russian Chamber Music Compeititon
Shoshana Novik won an Honorable Mentionl at 2015 Russian Chamber Music Compeititon
Thejas Karthik won a Bronze Medal at 2017 Virtuoso Festival.
Nora Sharma won an Honorable Mention at Seattle International Competition
Anna Li won an Honorable Mention at Russian Chamber Music Competition.
Riley Gronlund won an Honorable Mention at Seattle Music Teacher's Association Competition.
Angelique Wu accomplished Grade 8 of Royal Concervatory Program
Justin Wu accomplished Grade 8 of Royal Conservatory Program
Annie Chen accomplished Grade 7 of Royal Conservatory Program
Jiyoon Lee won a Second prize at New York Youth Competition
Michelle Oh won a First Prize at New York Youth competition
Jun Yoo won a First Prize at Eastern Orchestra Competition
Sue Kim won a First Prize at New York Youth Competition
Grace Lee was accepted by La Guardia High School of Performing Arts
Sojin Park was accepted by La Guardia High School of Performing Arts
From online private lessons in the comfort of your own home, to in person lessons in our fully equipped classroom, Bellevue Music Academy will find the way to bring the love of music into your life