Teaching Philosophy
“Whether I’m teaching in a group class, a private lesson, or a classroom setting, my goal is to inspire passion, curiosity, and real progress. I believe great teaching balances warmth and encouragement with clear expectations and measurable growth, helping students think critically, problem-solve, and build effective practice habits alongside strong musicianship.
As a scholar-teacher, I maintain an active research agenda in piano pedagogy and music education. All of my research supports improving teaching and learning, especially in the piano lab setting. My research interests include students’ learning effectiveness, cooperative learning, and diverse teaching repertoire. I regularly attend international, national, and local conferences, including NCKP: The Piano Conference, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), International Society for Music Education (ISME), and the Symposium on Music Teacher Education (SMTE), to present my research findings, learn the most recent research topics, and absorb teaching strategies to help my students improve. I also hold MTNA National Certification in Piano (with Group Piano Teaching Specialist in progress).
In private teaching, I adapt the learning path to each student's strengths, needs, and personality. Lessons balance careful musical work with strong technique and repertoire that students genuinely enjoy. My goal is for every student to leave with more confidence, greater independence, and a real sense of progress. I also try to model the mindset I hope they develop: I keep growing as a musician, researcher, and educator, so I can teach with clarity, honesty, and care. ”
—— Jinnan
Teaching Achievements
2025 MTNA Louisiana State Competition Senior Piano Alternate Winner
Collegiate Group Piano Student A
“Jinnan’s awesome! She’s incredibly patient as a teacher and is able to clearly communicate what to expect with pieces. She’s also incredibly encouraging. ”
Collegiate Group Piano Student B
“Jinnan was a fantastic teacher! She always made sure that our section was on pace/ahead and keeping up with the course content. Jinnan was also very kind and welcoming to all students in this section!”
Collegiate Group Piano Student C
“Jinnan is amazing!! Her tips after each run through, and her being thorough about my techniques and such. She doesn’t brush over my mistakes but helps me to do them correctly.”