Piano with Ms Ruby

🎉 Congratulations, Angela! 🎹✨

I am delighted to share that Angela has achieved Distinction in her ABRSM Grade 2 Piano Exam! 🌟

When Angela joined my studio last September, she had already been learning piano at a community centre, but she hadn't yet discovered the joy of making music.

Over the past year, we have worked patiently to build a solid technical and musical foundation. Through her commitment, perseverance, and regular practice, Angela has grown into a much more confident young pianist.

One of the most rewarding moments for any teacher is seeing a student become genuinely inspired. Angela has even started choosing pieces she loves to play on her own—a wonderful sign that music is becoming part of her life, not just something she practises for lessons.

A Distinction is not simply a reflection of talent; it is the result of dedication, consistency, and a willingness to learn.

Congratulations, Angela! I am so proud of how far you have come, and I look forward to watching you continue to grow as a musician. Keep enjoying the journey, and never stop making beautiful music. ❤️🎶

ABRSM Grade 2 | Distinction 🌟

#鋼琴老師日常

🎹 BCCM Piano Competition 2026 🎹

Congratulations to 7 students are completing the BCCM Piano Competition! ❤️
今年，同學們參加了 Diploma Group、RCM Grade 9 及 RCM Grade 6，演奏了多首蕭邦作品，包括：
🎼 Ballade No. 1
🎼 Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2
🎼 Waltz in A minor, B.150
This year, my students competed in the Diploma Group, RCM Grade 9, and RCM Grade 6, performing some of Chopin's most beloved works.
對他們每一位來說，這都是第一次參加 BCCM。比賽的意義，不只是分數和獎項，更是一個寶貴的舞台經驗和學習機會。

For every one of them, this was their first BCCM competition. Beyond medals and marks, it was a valuable opportunity to grow as young musicians and performers.
作為老師，我常常跟學生說：
「音樂是一門藝術，不是一份只有對與錯的考卷。」
每位評判、每位老師欣賞音樂的角度都不同。就像吃牛排一樣，有人喜歡 well done，有人喜歡 medium rare；有人喜歡濃郁，有人喜歡清淡。每個人的品味都不同，因此對音樂的理解和演繹也各有特色。

As I always tell my students,
"Music is an art, not a mathematics test."
Every adjudicator and teacher has a different perspective. Just like enjoying a steak—some prefer well done, while others love medium rare. There is no single "perfect" interpretation. Music is about communicating ideas with sincerity, imagination, and understanding.

然而，藝術並不是隨心所欲。
勤力、用心、有質素的練習，才能建立穩固的技巧，並帶來更高層次的音樂演奏。真正的自由演繹，是建基於扎實的基本功，以及對作品的深入理解。
However, artistry is never achieved by chance.
Only through diligent, thoughtful, and focused practice can musicians build a solid technical foundation and reach a higher level of artistic expression. True artistic freedom is built upon solid technique and a deep understanding of the music.

鋼琴比賽還有一個特別的挑戰。與小提琴、大提琴不同，鋼琴家不能帶著自己熟悉的樂器上台。每一場比賽，我們都需要適應不同鋼琴的觸鍵、音色及踏板反應，憑著耳朵、雙手和經驗，即時作出調整。這也是每位鋼琴演奏者必須學習的重要能力。
Another unique challenge for pianists is that we cannot bring our own instrument to a competition. Every piano has a different touch, tone, and pedal response. Learning to adapt quickly is an essential part of becoming a mature performer.

我相信，每一次比賽、每一次演出，都不是為了證明自己，而是讓自己比昨天進步一點。能夠勇敢站上舞台，已經是一種成長。
I believe every competition and every performance is not about proving ourselves, but about becoming a little better than yesterday. Having the courage to step onto the stage is already an achievement.

🏆 Competition Results 比賽成績
Diploma Group
🥈 Sunny Yeung — 86 | Silver
RCM Grade 9
🥈 Curtis Chan — 85 | Silver
RCM Grade 6
🥇 Natalie King — 92 | Gold
🥇 Mavis Yeung — 90 | Gold
🥇 Karina Tang — 90 | Gold
🥇 Timmy Yeung — 89 | Gold
🥇 Shanice Lee — 89 | Gold

衷心感謝各位家長一直以來的信任與支持，也恭喜每一位努力練習、勇敢演出的學生！讓我們繼續享受音樂、熱愛音樂，在每一次演奏中不斷成長。❤️🎹
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for your trust and support. Congratulations to every student for your dedication and courage. Keep learning, keep performing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the beauty of music. ❤️🎹

🎹 Congratulations to Sophie King! 🎉

🌟 恭喜 Sophie 在 BCCM Piano Competition 中，以 93 分榮獲 Top Mark！
🌟 Congratulations to Sophie on achieving the Top Mark of 93 at the BCCM Piano Competition!

她演奏了 J.S. Bach《Little Prelude in C Major, BWV 939》（RCM Grade 5），以穩定的技巧、優美的音樂感及自信的演繹，獲得評審一致讚賞。
She performed Little Prelude in C Major, BWV 939 by J.S. Bach (RCM Grade 5) with confidence, musicality, and expressive playing, earning high praise from the adjudicator.

每一分努力、每一次練習，都成就今天的成果。為妳感到無比驕傲！❤️
Every practice session and every bit of hard work has led to this wonderful achievement. We are so proud of you! ❤️

繼續享受音樂，勇敢追夢！🎶
Keep enjoying music and continue to shine on your musical journey! ✨
👏 Bravo, Sophie! 👏

🎹 **John Cage — 4'33" (1952)

😂 Haha! Imagine your piano teacher hands you this sheet music...
我D學生一定話正😍😍

At first glance, this piece looks like a joke.
No notes. No melody. No sound from the piano.

But 4'33" is one of the most influential and thought-provoking works in music history.

John Cage wanted to challenge a simple yet profound question:
"What is music?"

After visiting an anechoic chamber—a room designed to eliminate echoes and outside sounds—Cage expected to experience complete silence. Instead, he could still hear his own heartbeat and the sounds of his body functioning.
That experience led him to a remarkable realization:
True silence does not exist.

In 4'33", the performer remains silent for 4 minutes and 33 seconds. The "music" becomes everything around us—the audience breathing, someone coughing, pages turning, the hum of the air conditioning, birds outside, or simply the atmosphere of the room.

I had the opportunity to experience 4'33" live for the first time in London.

At the beginning, I mainly noticed the audience coughing and whispering. I wondered, "Is this really the piece?"

As the performance continued, something changed. I became aware of my own breathing. I started listening more deeply—not only to the sounds around me, but also to the silence between them.

It was a surprisingly beautiful experience.

What fascinates me most is that every performance of 4'33" is completely unique. The audience, the venue, the weather, the surrounding sounds, and even our own state of mind are never the same. No two performances can ever be identical.

As a piano teacher, this piece reminds me that music education is not only about playing the correct notes or developing technique.

Sometimes, the most important lesson is learning how to listen.
Perhaps the most beautiful music has always been around us—we just need to pause long enough to hear it.

💭 Have you ever experienced a moment when silence became music?

#433

🎉 Celebrating Wonderful Achievements! 🎹✨

Congratulations to Natalie King and Sophie King on their wonderful performances at the SPP Sea to Sky International Piano Music Festival & Competition! 🌟

🏆 Natalie King (Age 11)
🎼 RCM Grade 6
🥉 3rd Place
🎵 Waltz in A minor, B.150 – Frédéric Chopin

🏆 Sophie King (Age 9)
🎼 RCM Grade 5
🥇 1st Place
🎵 Little Prelude in C Major, BWV 939 – J.S. Bach

A special congratulations to Sophie on competing in her very first piano competition! Winning 1st Place is a wonderful achievement, but even more importantly, she stepped onto the stage with confidence, courage, and a genuine love for music. ❤️

I am incredibly proud of both Natalie and Sophie. Their dedication, perseverance, and passion for music continue to inspire me. Every competition is not only about the results—it is an opportunity to learn, grow, and share the joy of music with others.

Congratulations once again! Keep believing in yourselves, enjoy the journey, and continue making beautiful music. 🎹✨

🎉 Wonderful News from the BCCM Piano Competition Vancouver! 🎹✨

I am so proud to share the wonderful achievements of two of my young students, who both participated in their very first piano competition! ❤️

🏆 Elton Leung (Age 5)
🥇 Top Mark – 94
🎼 RCM Grade 2
🎵 Kabalevsky – 30 Children's Pieces, Op. 27, No. 1 "Valse"

👏 Hayden Mak (Age 7)
⭐ Mark – 90
🎼 RCM Grade 2
🎵 Kabalevsky – 30 Children's Pieces, Op. 27, No. 1 "Valse"

Both Elton and Hayden performed the same piece and stepped onto the competition stage for the first time.

Every performance is a valuable learning experience, and I am delighted to celebrate their hard work, courage, and beautiful achievements.

Competitions are not only about the marks—they are about building confidence, sharing music, and growing through every performance.

Congratulations, Elton and Hayden! 🎉 Keep enjoying your musical journey. I can't wait to see what you'll achieve next! 🎹❤️

❤️ Happy Father's Day! 父親節快樂！❤️

Today, I would like to share a little about my father, Prof. Lee Chee Wah

爸爸是香港著名手風琴家（accordionist）。Growing up, our home was always filled with beautiful accordion music — classical, tango, folk, jazz, and popular songs. 音樂一直陪伴著我成長，也讓我從小對舞台和音樂廳有一種特別親切的感覺。Every time I walk into a concert hall, it feels like coming home.

很多家長可能未曾接觸過手風琴。The accordion is often called a "one-person orchestra" because it can play melody, harmony, and accompaniment at the same time. 它的音色豐富多變，可以演奏古典、爵士、探戈、民謠及流行音樂，是一件非常有魅力的樂器。

爸爸曾有幸為意大利傳奇男高音 Luciano Pavarotti 及香港著名歌手 George Lam（林子祥）伴奏。What inspires me the most is that even at the age of 90, he is still actively performing and sharing his love of music with audiences.

除了音樂成就之外，爸爸更教會我 dedication, perseverance, and passion. 他對音樂的熱愛，深深影響了我的人生，也成為我今天從事音樂教育的重要原因。

Hopefully, one day I can invite him to Vancouver and share the beauty of the accordion with my students, parents, and friends.

Music is the greatest gift my father has given me, and it is a gift I hope to pass on to the next generation. ❤️🎶

祝天下所有父親身體健康、平安喜樂！

Happy Father's Day! 👨‍👧🎵