Teaching and Private Lessons

In the private studio with Candace, there is a tremendous focus on independent and critical thinking to achieve a personal and relevant connection with music. From the youngest beginner to students preparing for college auditions, each student is pushed to observe their technique, listen to themselves and great artists with a critical ear, and find their own unique way of integrating sensation. Students participate in two recitals a year, and are given extra opportunities to participate in competitions, performance exams, summer festivals, and four hands chamber music with their studio-mates.

Private lessons are generally held at the home studio at the northernmost part of Manhattan, New York, which is also commonly known as Hudson Heights. Traveling to the home in Manhattan is also an option, but is scheduled very carefully. Because of the heavy emphasis on technique, Skype lessons are held on a case by case basis. If you are interested in lessons for your child, please reach out on our contact page, and read over the studio policy for pricing and studio rules. I ask that parents pay special attention to the policies on attendance and cancellations.

Studio Announcements/Student Achievements

Even more congratulations to Crescendo Music Festival 2020 winners!
Kassidy Chambers, second place

Darrow Julia O’Brien, third place

Livestream prize winners recital on Feb. 27, 2021

Congratulations to Triumph Music Festival 2020 First Prize winners, Zoe Waring and Ian Hsueh!

Nov. 23, 2020

Congratulations to Elite Music Competition 2020 Winners:
Zoe Waring, second prize

Ian Hsueh, second prize

Look for their live online recital on Feb. 7, 2021 at 1 PM

Congratulations to Vivian Mennecke-Calandra - for her Best Performance of a 20th Century Piece award and bronze medal in National Young Maestros' Competition. She will be performing in Merkin Hall in the fall!
Saturday February 8, 2020

Annual Winter Studio Recital -
Manhattan School of Music, Mikowsky Hall
Sunday December 15, 2019, 11:30AM

Congratulations to students Sean Shen and Zoe Waring for excellent performances at Pittsburgh International Piano Competition Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall!
Saturday, July 27, 2019, 1:00PM

Winners for Pittsburgh International Piano Competition have been announced! Congratulations to the following students for their awards:
Children A Division:
Channing Sun, 3rd Place
Sean Shen, 3rd Place
Yongxian Ye, Honorable Mention

Children B Division
Zoe Waring, Honorable Mention

COVID-19 Lesson Protocol

Until further notice, all lessons will be held digitally via Zoom and video calling.

Student recording projects can be held in studio, with proper masking, hand washing, and social distancing.

Zoe at Weill Warmup/Dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall, PIPC 2019
James 2014 With my student James - his last recital with me before his first year of undergrad for piano performance!
PIPC 2019 Zoe and Sean Proud teacher with students Zoe and Sean backstage at Carnegie Hall
Sean 2019 Sean at our spring recital 2019
Winter Recital 2018 The whole crew! One of our best recitals to date!
Spring Recital 2019 Backstage and getting situated at Mikowsky Hall
Eliana 2018 Some beautiful playing from Eliana at the 2018 Winter Recital
Studio Space A general panorama of where parents wait for lessons
During lesson Zoe in the middle of a lesson
Jack Recital 2016 Jack warms up to play his Granados at the Winter Recital 2015
The Studio 2016 Winter Recital 2016
Zoe 2016 Warming up with Zoe pre recital
Backstage 2016 Backstage shenanigans
The Studio A rare look at a clean studio without students and music everywhere!
With sweet girl Chloe, May 2016 My students are also so supportive of my performing career! Chloe came to one of my concerto performances!
Spring Recital 2016 Spring Recital 2016, right before I returned to Juilliard!
Vuk Vuk studying his music before his lesson in the infamous comfy chair
Point Counterpoint 2015 Teaching never stops even in the summer! With husband, and two talented girls, Rachel and Chloe, that we coached in their chamber groups
Yadany Yadany in a lesson
Tara and Vuk You might encounter studio dog Fritz during your lesson!
Studio Recital Winter 2013 At Renee Weiler Hall, 2013
The Lineup - Winter 2013 Sometimes, we don't get a backstage, so students practice their good audience skills while staying organized.
Summer 2012 Recital At Hunter College Ida K. Lang Recital Hall