The Studio
Cornell Music Studio is a home studio started in 2016, located in the beautiful community of Cornell in northeast Markham, Ontario. Lessons are taught by experienced school music teacher and violinist Amy Chen.
Amy Chen, Violin and Piano Teacher
Amy began teaching violin and piano privately in 1999, having taught students as young as 2 and adults up to 65. She has been an elementary music teacher at Toronto public schools for over 7 years, with extensive experience in creating stimulating and individualized learning environments for young minds. Amy is attuned to the different learning styles of her students and strives to bring out the best in them.
She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Toronto, where she was a member of its Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Amy is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, having earned her Bachelor of Education (Music-Instrumental) from the University of Windsor. While her primary instrument is the violin, she has also obtained a Level 9 Piano Advanced Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is a graduate from the gifted music program at the Claude Watson School for the Arts in Toronto.
As an active member of the community, Amy has mentored for the Toronto Taiwanese Chamber Orchestra, and served regularly as a church pianist. As a mother of a young toddler, she has learned to respect and appreciate the responsibilities of a parent and the aspirations one has for their children.
Amy is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
Amy's Philosophy
In a classroom setting, teachers are constrained by the physical setting and the curriculum where a one-size-fit-all teaching method is often used. In my role as a school music teacher, I have taught children with varied abilities, through which I have learned that their capabilities cannot simply be projected linearly on a spectrum.
I have observed that children all have different talents; some have impeccably aural skill, some more brilliantly kinaesthetic, some more visually inclined, and many other combinations. My role as a teacher is not just to teach the subject at hand, but to seek out what makes each student special, and help them learn how to develop what they are truly capable of.
As a private studio teacher, I take full advantage of the one-on-one time with my students to accommodate their individual capabilities and learning styles to foster the best learning experience for them.
I believe it is crucial for students to develop a healthy and positive attitude towards learning and practicing; students learn a great deal about overcoming obstacles and dealing with struggles in their journey towards achieving their goals.
- Amy