Rebecca Chan is a certified Yamaha Music instructor as well as a classical piano teacher. Under the tutelage of renowned classical pianists Ms. Alice Enns and Mr. David Warwick, and post-modernistic composer Ms. Jocelyn Morlock, Rebecca has established herself as a music educator with depth and breadth that spans over different disciplines and genre. In 2013, Rebecca conducted the choir and ensemble performances at the prestigious National Yamaha Junior Original Concert in Vancouver. The following year, Rebecca was invited to the Yamaha international forum in Tokyo to speak to an international audience on teaching methods. In addition to teaching and performance, Rebecca is also a standing executive at the BC Registered Music Teacher Association, as well as a Yamaha Grade Examiner.

Over the last 19 years, Rebecca’s students have received numerous recognition and awards, including: BC’s highest RCM piano examination scores, Crescendo International Music Competition, Student Performers’ Guild Festival, Vancouver Kiwanis Festival, Burnaby Clef Music Festival, Richmond Festival and Yamaha Junior Original Concert national selection. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of performance opportunities to a young performer’s growth, opportunities were made available to her students to perform at establishments such as the Carnegie Hall (New York), Vancouver International Airport, and other high-visibility performance venues.

“Music is a vehicle that takes you through the journey of growth.” Please join Miss Rebecca for a fun-filled ride of music adventure!

Pianist and composer Dr. Robert Best teaches piano, composition, improvisation and theory. In his early years as a pianist, he was a regular winner in various festivals such as the Kiwanis Music Festival and the Toronto East Festival. Robert’s interests broadened from classical music into jazz, progressive rock, and popular music in the latter half of his high school years. He did however maintain a passionate interest in classical piano, completing an A.R.C.T. diploma in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music (1981).

In 1987, he moved to Vancouver where he began studies at the University of British Columbia. He achieved an undergrad degree in Composition (1994). He later returned to UBC to complete a Master of Music degree in piano performance (2005). Between these two degrees, he was involved with or created different bands and projects involving jazz, alternative pop, classical and world music genres, while also giving private instruction in piano, theory and composition. In 1998, he formed a South African/ jazz fusion ensemble called World Jive. He composed all of the music and arrangements for this project and produced a recording entitled “Motsoala (Cousin)” (2000) that was featured on CBC’s “Hot Air” jazz radio show. World Jive performed in several festivals during 1998-2000, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the PNE, the Mission Folk Festival, the Harrison Festival of Arts, and several other BC venues and festivals.

He returned to his hometown of Toronto in 2006 to do doctoral studies in Composition at the University of Toronto. At this time, he also was hired for group and individual music instruction for Yamaha Music Toronto. He completed his Doctorate in Music degree (2014) under the supervision of composer Alexander Rapoport.

He has studied piano with a number of Canada’s finest concert pianists. In Toronto, this included instruction from George McElroy, John Covert, Leslie Kinton, and James Anagnason. In British Columbia, he received lessons and masterclasses from Douglas Finch, Eugene Skovorodnikov, David Vanderyck, Ellen and Bob Silverman, Jane Coop, and Bob Rogers.

Robert has studied composition with many well-known Canadian composers. In British Columbia, these teachers include Stephen Chatman, Eugene Wilson, Rodney Sharman, Douglas Finch and Keith Hamel. In Toronto, he studied with Alexander Rapoport, Christos Hatzis, Ka Nin Chan, Russell Hartenberger and R. Murray Schafer. He is also friends with renowned composer Christopher Norton.

Presently, Robert is back in British Columbia and teaches private lessons in piano performance, composition, and improvisation. His compositions include several pieces for piano, works for choir, percussion ensemble, guitar, orchestra, and various chamber instrumental works. His composition “Suite in G for Guitar” is included in the RCM A.R.C.T. guitar syllabus. Robert is also a certified Yamaha grade examiner. He welcomes all of his students to discover the many wonderful experiences that come from learning music.

At the age of 3, Bella Chan started her journey with piano through Yamaha’s Junior Music Course curriculum. During this time, she was also introduced to music composition, composing her first piano piece at the age of 5. Upon completion of the JMC, she continued her piano studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Since then, she has completed her RCM ARCT Performers with First Class Honours under the guidance of Mr. David Vanderyk and obtained her ARCT Elementary Pedagogy certification.

Passionate about performance and comfortable in the spotlight, Bella has taken part in various music festivals throughout the span of her ongoing musical journey. Her most notable achievements include being awarded with both the Most Outstanding Post-Romantic Performance Award as well as the Most Promising Pianist Award at the Festival on the Lake 2019. She also has experience playing in piano ensembles. One of her many highlights include achieving the highest possible score in the Piano Duo Open class at the Richmond Music Festival and being awarded a scholarship and opportunity to perform at the Gala with her duo partner.

As a Big Sister in the Big Brothers program, a volunteer instructor at summer cello camps, a piano accompanist for the Vancouver Youth Music Association, and a piano teacher to young children, working with kids has always brought her profound joy. Having had the honour to learn under inspiring teachers and mentors, Bella’s goal as a teacher is to carry on doing what her mentors have done for her: to guide students in discovering their passion for music.

Over the years, Elsa has cultivated and honed her skills as an accomplished classical pianist and ensemble musician.  Under the instruction of Miss Rebecca Chan, Elsa progressed through the RCM program, achieving the British Columbia Registered Music Teacher Association (BCRMTA) Richmond Branch’s award for the highest exam mark multiple times, including RCM Grade 10, where she also achieved First Class Honours.  She went on to complete her Associate diploma (ATCL) with distinction, through the Trinity College London of Music.  Additionally, Elsa has participated in numerous competitions including the Student Performers Guild (SPG) Festival and the Kiwanis Music Festival, both as a solo and ensemble pianist, achieving multiple first place finishes.  Her first and second place finishes at the Crescendo International Music Competition allowed her to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2015.  Elsa has had the pleasure of working with young pianists since 2013, and looks forward to guiding students along their musical journey at Sound Direction!

Megan began her musical journey at the age of three in Yamaha’s Junior Music Course programs, under the teaching of Miss Rebecca Chan. She continued with piano, successfully completing the RCM program, receiving First Class Honours with Distinction and the highest exam mark in the Richmond Branch by the B.C. Registered Music Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA) twice. As a solo pianist, she earned second place in the Richmond Music Festival Grade Ten Romantic Category. After receiving First Class Honours in RCM Grade 10, Megan went on to achieve her Associate Trinity College London (ATCL) Music Performance Diploma.

Furthermore, Megan excels in piano ensemble and has participated in a variety of music competitions, including the Student Performers’ Guild Festival, Richmond Music Festival, and Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival, where she frequently earns first place.

Over the years, Megan has performed in many public venues, including Aberdeen Centre, Oakridge Centre, Vancouver International Airport, and Richmond City Hall, further strengthening her skills as a pianist. In 2016, Megan was a finalist in the prestigious Crescendo International Music Competition, allowing her to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York with her piano trio.

Megan has extensive experience working with young children as a summer camp leader and piano tutor. Through her patience and guidance, her students are able to develop their skills and confidence with music. Megan is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Civil Engineering at UBC. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for music with students at Sound Direction!

With over 13 years of studying and playing classical and contemporary music, Karen is fluent in teaching piano through the Yamaha and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) curriculums, and a proficient RCM theory instructor from rudimentary to advanced courses. Karen has been instructing music for almost five years, closely following Ms. Rebecca Chan’s teaching philosophies of technical excellence and meticulous care. Through Ms. Rebecca Chan’s guidance, and Yamaha’s teaching examinations and seminars, Karen incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles of teaching—and quickly adapts to and nurtures each student’s musical aspirations. As a performer, Karen has achieved her certification as an Associate of The Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT), and British Columbia Registered Music Teacher Association (BCRMTA) Richmond Branch’s highest scoring candidate for RCM’s Grade 10 exam in April 2017. Karen has also attained many successes in Kiwanis Music Festivals, Crescendo competitions, and non-profit performances throughout her career. In addition to her experience as a piano soloist, Karen is a returning first-place senior-level ensemblist four-years running—competing in the Student Performers’ Guild Festivals and Crescendo competitions. Since 2014, Karen has extensive performance experience in the duet, duo, trio, quartet, and orchestral form, having performed in a first place orchestra for MusicFest Canada in Ottawa, and as a piano trio at Carnegie Hall in New York. Karen also has an extensive RCM Theory background, consistently scoring at least a First Class Honours standing in all her RCM Rudiments, Harmony, and History exams. Karen has exceeded the rigorous ARCT Theory requirements by scoring First Class Honours in Advanced Harmony, Counterpoint, Analysis, and Advanced History (First Class Honours with Distinction). From student to instructor, Karen is a detail-driven and process-oriented teacher welcoming her students into a lifelong journey of music. Karen is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree at UBC.

Born in South Korea, Miri Kim began to play the guitar at age 12. She played the electric bass guitar for several copy bands throughout high school and nursing school. She came to Canada six years ago to study Classical Guitar and graduated from Capilano University with a Diploma in Music. She is a member of the Guitar trio Tres Guitarras (aka The Capilano Guitar Trio) since 2013. She is interested in teaching children. Miri graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in May 2016 and a Bachelor of Education degree in November 2017, both from the University of British Columbia.

Gloria Yu started her early childhood music education in piano and vocal since six years of age. She participated in the Yip’s Children Choir in 1986-1996 in Hong Kong and represented the choir to perform in Japan, Taiwan, Korea in 1993-1996. Dr. Yip Wai Hong was her vocal teacher since 1990. She continued her musical studies in Vancouver and Alberta and obtained her Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge, specializing in Piano Performance. Gloria was awarded first place in the 'Classical Piano open competition' at Kiwanis Festival in 2003. She started working as a full time music teacher at the Mozart School of Music since 2004. Gloria also studied Music Therapy from 2006-2008 at Capilano College. Gloria was hired by Macau Anglican College as a music specialist from 2008 to 2010. Her duties included developing and establishing the school band and choir for the elementary and secondary school departments, creating and delivering the music curriculum from kindergarten to Gr 10, leading the choir and band in performances at local music festivals, senior homes, community centres and hotels such as the Venetian and Mandarin Oriental hotels. The Chief Executive of Macau - Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah attended the school's choir performance. She completed her Master of Education at the University of Macau in 2010 and also obtained a Certificate of Teaching from ABRSM in 2009. Gloria decided to return to Vancouver in 2010 to give birth to her son and raise him here. She completed the Clinical Musician Diploma, Montessori and ECE diplomas in 2010 in Vancouver. During that same year, she started teaching and promoting early childhood music programs in preschools and local community centres. She is an active musician as well. She plays and performs Chinese and Western music instruments such as piano, harp, guitar, ukulele, guqin, liuqin, yueqin, and guzheng. Gloria is passionate about giving back to the community and has been a volunteer musician at the Richmond Hospice playing piano and harp for patients/families since 2010.

Amy Lee is originally from Taiwan. She received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Victoria, Master of Music in Piano Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Graduate Diploma in Collaborative Piano at the New England Conservatory.

Amy is an active performer and teacher.  Her artistry has been taking her to festivals, including Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, Vancouver Summer Opera Studio, Baldwin Wallace Art Song Festival, Vancouver International Song Institute, Mountain View Chamber music, Colorado College Summer Festival. Amy also worked as staff pianist at Franco-American Vocal Academy (Austria), Banff Centre (Canada), Quartet Program (USA), and Loei festival (Thailand).

As a teacher, Amy has many years of teaching students of all levels from beginner to advanced. Her lessons emphasize on theory, ear training, musicality, and creativity.  Amy also encourages students to participate in local music festivals, RCM examinations, and concerts.

Grace was born into a musical family. Her mom studied gayageum zither at SNU school of music and her aunt is a voice professor in South Korea. Her musical journey began when she started learning violin at the age of 5 in Korea. She then started playing piano 2 years later and immediately fell in love. She continued to pursue her passion even after moving to Canada and achieved the RCM ARCT performer’s diploma with honours. She’s also played flute and alto saxophone in highschool band and performed in various concerts. She’s worked with an orchestra as a solo pianist, UBC bands, choirs and church band. Grace is currently continuing her studies at UBC school of music under guidance of Professor Amanda Chan.
Grace wishes to share the joy of music to aspiring musicians.

With the intention to pursue a career in piano teaching, Kaitlyn Agda attended the UBC School of Music where she attained her Bachelor of Music degree under the tutelage of Professor Wong. Prior to that, she received piano pedagogy training under Dunja Bohinc. Ms. Agda is a recipient of many scholarships and awards including the Kimmy Y C Tong Memorial Award in Music, and many 1^st place standings in Kiwanis, BC Conservatory, and Richmond music festivals. She has plenty of experience collaborating with instrumentalists and choirs.

Nurturing both enjoyment and curiosity while cultivating independence in the process of learning the piano remains of importance in Kaitlyn’s teaching method. Discovering imaginative ways of approaching and teaching healthy techniques at the keyboard is something she is most passionate about.

Kaitlyn teaches students of all levels, ages, and abilities catering to their individual needs. She has experience with preparation for exams and festivals specializing in the RCM curriculum. Above all, she strives to impart a lifelong enjoyment of music in each of her student’s lives.

In addition to English, Kaitlyn also speaks fluent French.