Teaching

A three-time Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher recipient (2016, 2018 & 2020), New York trained concert pianist Derek Zhi Guang Chiu welcomes you to his professional teaching studio.

“Derek is an incredibly skilled and effective online music teacher. His vibrant personality and deep experience as an instructor make his online lesson engaging and productive. He has a top-notch studio setup and a broad capacity for using technology in his teaching. This creates a seamless and highly successful digital learning environment for his students.” John Scully, Educational Online Program Specialist - The Royal Conservatory  

 

The Derek Chiu Difference

Derek brings a wealth of international teaching and performing experience to his students. Students of Derek Chiu are mentored artistically and are fostered creatively so that their personalities are showcased in performance.  His students develop a thorough and deep cognitive understanding of music performance, practise and theoretical subjects.  Cognitive learning promotes:

  • Self Analysis, Awareness and Accountability

  • Improved Comprehension

  • Creative and Efficient Problem-Solving Skills

  • Confidence Building

  • Instills a Love of Life-Time Learning

  • Develops Personal Artistry and Promotes Creativity

Teaching Experience

  • Over 20 years of private piano instruction in Canada and the United States

  • Faculty at The Cremona International Music Academy (Cremona, Italy)

  • Faculty at The Vancouver Island Music Academy formerly JVL Music in the Summer

  • Online Faculty at Toronto Music Alliance

  • Class piano instructor at The University of Windsor School of Music

Notable Students

Luka Coetzee - https://www.lukacoetzee.com/

  • Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar with Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt

  • ARCT in Piano and Cello Performance

  • First Prize Winner at 9th Johansen International Strings Competition

  • Special prize for “the most promising semi-finalist” in the 6th UNISA International Strings Competition

  • First Prize at the Morningside Music Bridge International Concerto Competition

  • Second Prize at the 2019 Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Competition

  • Semi-finalist at the Stulberg International Strings Competition

  • Third Prize at the 2021 Shean Strings & Piano Competition

Benjamin Schmalz

  • 3rd Prize Winner of The 9th International Cremona Competition for Strings, Piano and Voice

  • Bachelor of Music from the University of Regina Department of Music

  • Graduate studies with Stephan Sylvestre at The University of Western Ontario Don Wright  Faculty of Music (Scholarship Student)

  • Scholarship awards from the Calgary Performing Arts Festival

  • Graduate School Offer - With scholarship from University of Alberta

 Huangyang Li

  • Bachelor of Music from Bishop’s University with four-year scholarship

  • Graduate studies with Esther Ning Yau at Longy School of Music at Bard College (Scholarship Student)

 Marjorie Patterson

  • Bachelor of Music from Ambrose University

  • Graduate studies with Dr. Irena Kofman at Florida Atlantic Univeristy (Scholarship Student and Graduate Assistanship)

  • Graduate School Offers - WIth Scholarships from Longy School of Music at Bard College and University of Montana

Lessons Offered (In Person and Online)

  • Piano (All ages and levels)

  • Piano Pedagogy

  • Professional Performance Coaching

  • Chamber Music Coaching

  • Music Theory (All Royal Conservatory of Music Levels)

  • Music History (All Royal Conservatory of Music Levels)

  • Mock Examinations

  • Please contact Derek to learn more about his teaching studio, studio policies and to enquire about lessons.

"Derek has been my piano teacher for the past year and I can't believe how much my playing has improved. Derek has taught me so much, so quickly. With proper technique, I am playing far more difficult music with than I was a year ago. Derek gets down to business and really wants his students to succeed. Derek is a smart, creative and caring expert. He is the best piano teacher I could ever imagine and has really inspired me to do my best, apply myself and keep up my piano practice!" – Winston Kirk