Your Music journey starts here

Kristy Mo is a highly experienced piano and theory/history instructor with over 22 years of teaching expertise. She began her music education at the age of 4 and was born in Taiwan. At the age of 6, she immigrated to Vancouver, where she continued her musical journey under the guidance of Sue Huang. Kristy's competitive spirit started at the age of 8, as she participated in numerous local and national competitions, earning awards and scholarships from prestigious events such as the Richmond Music Festival, Vancouver Music Festival, Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival, Burnaby Clef Music Festival, Canadian Music Competition, and Pacific International Youth Piano Competition.

At the age of 11, she was awarded a gold medal from the BCRMTA for achieving the highest mark in the Grade 10 RCM examination in the province. By the age of 13, she completed her ARCT Performers Diploma and began advanced professional training in piano performance. She studied under esteemed piano pedagogy Mary Tickner and the renowned panist/teacher Edward Parker, as well as with Natalie Potocka and Eugene Skovorodnikov, a former faculty member of UBC's School of Music Piano Performance department. During her study with Dr. Skovorodnikov, Kristy earned the internationally recognized Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance (LLCM) from the London College of Music and was awarded a medallion for achieving the highest mark globally. Although she was given the opportunity to attend the London College of Music in England based on her exam results, she chose to continue her education and pursue her piano performance career at the University of British Columbia.

At the University of British Columbia (UBC), Kristy had the privilege of studying under the guidance of esteemed instructors, including Eugene Skovorodnikov, Sara Davis Buechner, Rena Sharon, and Alice Enns. During her first year at UBC, she achieved remarkable success by completing the London College of Music Fellowship Diploma in Piano Performance (FLCM), again receiving the prestigious medallion for the highest score globally. As she progressed in her Piano Performance studies at UBC, Kristy further distinguished herself by earning the Fellowship in Piano Performance (FTCL) from Trinity College London, another internationally recognized examination system.

After completing both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Piano Performance at UBC, Kristy pursued further studies in the field of Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in Manhattan, New York, one of the worl s top education schools. There, she focused on young childrens music development, identifying and training musically talented children, and Advanced Level Teaching in Piano Pedagogy. Kristy studied under world- renowned music educators, including Lori Custodero, Harold Abeles, and Jeanne Goffi-Fynn.

While at Columbia, Kristy worked as a graduate assistant, offering private piano lessons to students and professors across various departments in Columbia University, including MBA students and professor from the Psychology department. Despite her intense academic workload, Kristy continued to refine her performance skills under the mentorship of Professor Ada Kopetz Korf, a fellowship graduate from Juilliard Graduate School of Music where she taught piano and also a former faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music.

Professor Korf, impressed with Kristy's talent, recommended that she continue her studies with a doctoral degree at Juilliard. However, Kristy chose not to pursue this path, as her ultimate goal was not to focus on performance, but to dedicate herself to teaching. Being a member of both the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association (BCRMTA) and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations (CFMTA) since 2009 reflects her commitment to the field. Additionally, she is also a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) certified teacher in piano, covering all levels from elementary to advanced, indicates a high level of proficiency and expertise.

Kristy's teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child has an inherent ability to create music, and that fostering this talent through thoughtful music education is essential for unlocking their full potential. She is dedicated to providing engaging, enjoyable, and practical lessons that go beyond developing musical skills, aiming to nurture abilities that will benefit students in many aspects of life. Known for her patience, energy, and creativity, Kristy approaches teaching with care and dedication, offering students the support they need to grow in both confidence and musical proficiency. Through her thoughtful guidance, each child is empowered to flourish on their musical journey.

Patra began her piano studies under the guidance of Mrs. Margaret Cheung in Hong Kong, where she built a solid foundation in technique and musical expression. She later continued her musical journey in Canada, studying with Dr. Henri-Paul Sicsic, a renowned pianist and former professor at the University of Toronto, who also taught at the University of British Columbia. Through years of training and dedication, Patra developed a profound appreciation for piano repertoire spanning various styles and eras, which has greatly influenced her approach as a musician and educator.

Patra has taught piano for over 10 years and has her own piano studio. Her students are successful in recitals and performances and have outstanding results. Many of them have received awards, prizes, and scholarships from music festivals, including the Coquitlam Music Festival, Richmond Music Festival, VAYA International Music Festival, and Kiwanis Music Festival. Furthermore, Patra has also given her students confidence in achieving excellent results in the Royal Conservatory of Music exams.

Patra is a knowledgeable and outstanding piano teacher with excellent pedagogical skills. Her kind and gentle personality makes her unique among piano teachers and allows her to connect well with students of all ages. She specializes in helping her students master various technical skills and perform repertoires of many styles, and to do so, she likes to encourage a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment for her students.

Her goal is to ignite a lifelong love for music in her students, encouraging them to see music as a profound and enriching part of their lives. In addition to fostering this passion, she strives to help her students develop concentration, self-discipline, and self-esteem.

Patra believes that the most essential element of professional educators and teachers is to continue learning in different aspects. “Never stop learning” is her slogan in life.

Beyond teaching piano, Patra enjoys singing, crafting, and expressing her creativity through art and drawing. These artistic outlets fuel her creativity, which she brings into her teaching, inspiring her students to explore their artistic passions.

Fergus Kwan is a concert pianist and composer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an undergraduate at the University of British Columbia, Fergus double-majors in Piano Performance and Composition. He has studied with Dr. Corey Hamm, Dr. Henri-Paul Sicsic, Prof. Rena Sharon, Dr. Jennifer Butler, and Prof. Serra Hwang, and has participated in masterclasses with established musicians, including Prof. Jon Kimura Parker, Dr. Henry Kramer, Ilana Vered, and Nelson Goerner.

A passionate performer, Fergus enjoys performing various repertoire spanning Baroque to contemporary music. He has given recitals for the Vancouver Chopin Society and the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society, as well as making appearances in notable music events, including the Five Piano Fantasy concert at the Chan Centre, the VSO Day of Music, and Robson Square's Summer Pop-Up Concert. He has also performed with orchestras, including the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra and in various countries across Europe and North America.

As a composer, Fergus has created notable works such as “after hours,” “Three Character Pieces,” and “To Them.” These compositions have been performed at the UBC Premiere Concert and ChamberFest by esteemed musicians and made appearances in various competitions and recitals. He has also orchestrated and performed Alexina Louie's Memories in an Ancient Garden with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra.

Fergus has won several awards for his performances, including at the Canadian Music Competition, Vancouver Westcoast Music Society, Pacific Youth International Competition, Architecture of Music Competition, and Elevato International Piano Competition. He has also won the award for Best Performance of a work by Chopin, given by the Vancouver Chopin Society, and the Best Performance of Jordan Nobles' “The Architect's Dream,” given by the Architecture of Music Competition.

Apart from being a pianist and composer, Fergus enjoys a variety of hobbies, including chess and speedcubing.