The Young Pianists Program has offered high-quality piano and theory instruction to students from Monroe County and South Central Indiana since 1986. We admit all students age five through high school who want to learn piano or improve their playing. While we prepare the most gifted and accomplished young pianists for future conservatory-level study, we also nurture the creative and instrumental abilities of many students who want to play just for the love of it.
Our devoted teachers instruct with enthusiasm and expertise, while striving to deepen the understanding and passion of each child for this marvelous musical art. Beyond developing a love for music, our students also develop skills of focus, self-confidence, discipline and poise in public that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Program faculty
Elizabeth Yao is director of the Young Pianists Program and the Summer Piano Academy, as well as coordinator of the secondary piano program and instructor of pedagogy at the IU Jacobs School of Music. She received her Doctor of Music degree at Indiana University under the tutelage of André Watts.
Dr. Karen Taylor is the Founder/Director emerita of the IU Young Pianists Program and the Summer Piano Academy. She has given recitals in the U.S. and Europe, and has presented 125+ master classes, lectures and workshops. Her teaching honors include an IMTA Teacher of the Year citation and numerous grants for study abroad.
Hyeseon Jin was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She earned B.M degree at Seoul National University and M.M, P.D at Indiana University where she is currently pursuing D.M while serving as an Associate Instructor at IU, Secretary of MTNA Collegiate Chapter at IU, and Executive Assistant of Young Pianists Program at IU.
Marianne Ackerson, classical/jazz pianist, is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music and the University for Music and Theatrical Arts in Vienna, Austria. She has taught piano in Vienna, the YPP, and in her private studio in Bloomington. She has played with distinction in classical and jazz venues throughout her professional life.
Cecilia Bass attended Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies and earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance degree from the Jacobs School of Music. She has enjoyed teaching for the Young Pianists Program since 2013 and currently works in the Jacobs Deans’ Office.
Yujun Cao is currently a Doctorate Student in Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Norman Krieger. He decided to pursue being a professional pianist after being admitted to Oberlin Conservatory for BM, and earned his Master Degree in Piano Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music.
Pei-Tsun Chiang, Taiwanese, is currently pursuing a Performer Diploma under the instruction of André Watts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from National Taiwan Normal University, and master’s degree from the Jacobs School of Music.
Karina Cohen earned a master’s degree from the University of Hartford and a Performance Diploma in Early Music from the Jacobs School of Music. Her training focuses on providing students with a solid musical foundation through a strong grounding in harmony, aural skills, style, and piano technique.
James Featherstone is a graduate student at IU Jacobs School of Music in the Master of Music degree program where he studies with Edward Auer. James holds a Bachelor of Music from JSoM, during which he studied with Karen Shaw, as well as the Associate and Licentiate Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto.
Fred Hammond (B.M., M.M., Juilliard) has been teaching for the Young Pianists Program for more than 20 years. In 1999, he and his wife, Marina Berretta Hammond, formed a piano duo, performing often in South America, Spain, and the U.S. They gave the South American premiere of Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano Four Hands with the acclaimed Simón Bolivar Orchestra.
Marina Berretta Hammond (M.M. Piano, Indiana University) has taught for Young Pianists for more than 20 years and has taught piano and chamber music at Rocky Ridge Music Center (Colorado) since 2004. With husband Fred Hammond, she has concertized in the U.S., Spain, and Latin America. Their CD of Latin American music for two pianos was produced by the IU Latin American Music Center.
Jacqueline Hsiao, a native of Taiwan, earned her Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music from IU Bloomington. She places a strong emphasis on establishing healthy habits early on for a secure foundation in her students' long term musical development.
Seri Kim earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Ewha Womans University in South Korea and a Master of Music from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She has extensive teaching experience, which began when she was 18. As the owner of a music academy, she focused on making piano playing enjoyable for children. To achieve this goal, she encouraged her students to play both solo pieces and collaborative works with other students. She is currently a P.D. student at the Jacobs School of Music.
Ubeeng Kueq is a doctoral student at IU, where he also completed his master’s degree and performer diploma. Ubeeng began working with a wide range of students of varying ages and levels in Salt Lake City during his undergraduate years at the University of Utah. He is an enthusiastic teacher who particularly enjoys exploring various techniques of piano playing and interpretations of music through theory-based ideas.
Ryo Kaneko earned both his Master and Bachelor of music in piano performance from Rice University. Currently, he is finishing his DM in piano performance at the Jacobs School of Music. He performed world premieres of works by living composers. To seek new, difficult challenges is his philosophy of music.
Chenchun Ma is pursuing a doctoral degree at IU under the tutelage of Émile Naoumoff. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School. She was a piano instructor of the P.A.L.S. program in Aspen, and a teaching artist for Instrument Petting Zoo in The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Eunjin Oh, a South Korean pianist, holding a Bachelor's degree from Seoul National University, she is currently furthering her expertise through a Master's program at IU Jacobs School of Music. From her college year onward, she skillfully combined her college education studies with teaching, nurturing students with both knowledge and passion for music.
Kait O’Hanlon earned her B.M. in Piano Performance from Susquehanna University in 2022 and recently completed her M.M. in Piano Performance at Butler University in 2024. Now based in Bloomington, she actively engages in musical opportunities across Indiana. As a collaborative pianist, Kait accompanies a violin studio in Indianapolis and works with students at Butler University. Additionally, she teaches private piano lessons at Butler University, the Indiana Conservatory of Music in Columbus, and the Young Pianists Program at Indiana University. Kait’s hope is to inspire independent learners and creative musicians in the students she works with.
Molly Patrickis an organist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from Brigham Young University – Idaho, where she was a student of Dr. Daniel Kerr. Molly is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She studies with Dr. Janette Fishell.
Andrew Sohn was born in Western Australia and immigrated to the US in 2004. In 2013, Andrew graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BM in Piano Performance. He then earned his MM at the Eastman School of Music. He is currently pursuing a DM at Indiana University and is scheduled to graduate this December.
Rachel Sohn is currently a Doctoral student at the Jacobs School of Music. She studies under the instruction of Evelyne Brancart, with whom she previously earned her MM degree. She was formerly under the tutelage of Alexander Kobrin at the Eastman School of Music, where she received her BM degree.
Anan Wang is currently a PD student under the tutelage of Émile Naoumoff in Indiana University, where she also completed her Master’s degree. She is a passionate instructor, who is dedicated to develop student’s curiosity in music.
Jin Wu is an active pianist and piano teacher. She received her BM in University of Kansas, and MM in Mannes School of Music. Currently, she is a DMA candidate in University of North Texas. Jin Wu finds passion in teaching piano. She devotes herself to piano pedagogy, so that she can better help students achieve their goals. Her piano students have successfully accomplished a number of seasonal recitals; passed and received high scores on Royal Conservatory Music Exam and Trinity College Music Exam; won top prizes in national competitions.
Chaojeng Yu is a doctoral student at the Jacobs School of Music, where he also earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance and a Performer’s Diploma. He is an associate instructor for piano as well as a member of the Young Pianists Program faculty. He earned his bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan Normal University.
If you have any questions about the program that are not answered on this page, please email Dr. Elizabeth Yao (elizyao@iu.edu).
Schedule and location
Fall semester
Date
Event
August 26
Lessons begin
September 7-8
Young Beginners and Beginner Keyboard Theory classes begin
November 25 - December 1
Thanksgiving Break, no lessons/classes
December 15
Last day of lessons/classes
December 15 - 19
Recital dress rehearsals
December 20 - 21
Recitals (for students enrolled in private lessons)
Location: all in-person instruction will take place on-campus at the Jacobs School of Music. Young Beginners Group Classes and Beginner Keyboard Theory Classes take place in Merrill Hall. Lessons will take place in Merrill Hall or the Simon Music Center (West Wing).
Program offerings
One 60-minute private lesson per week
Instruction: 15 lessons per semester
Tuition: $645
Two30-minute private lessons per week
Instruction: 30 lessons per semester
Tuition: $645
Important notes: 1) All private lesson times are by arrangement with the students’ private teacher. 2) Click here to view our our private lesson syllabus and cancellation/makeup policies.
Beginner keyboard theory (14 classes) - $210
Note: we recommend that the student be in Faber Book 1, 2A, or 2B. Classes meet on Sunday afternoons from 4pm - 4:45pm.
Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid applications are due August 16
Registration and payment due: August 25, 2024
Newly enrolling students
Parents should contact Dr. Elizabeth Yao at elizyao@iu.edu regarding teacher availability before registering. Please include the following information:
Child's name and age
Prior piano experience
Does the student have access to an instrument to practice? (e.g., acoustic piano, electric keyboard)
Lesson availability
Desired lesson format (either 2 half-hour lessons per week, or one hour-long lesson per week)
Any other information about your child's personality and learning style that may be considered pertinent for finding an instructor that will be a good fit
Please visit the following link to view the Young Pianists FAQ to find answers to many commonly asked questions.
Late registrationswill be accepted before October 13, pending teacher availability. In the event of insufficient openings, students will be placed on a waitlist.
How to apply
Merit and financial aid: To request Need-Based Financial Aid information, please contact musicsp@iu.edu. For Merit-Based Financial Aid information, please see the Young Pianists blog, linked below. For those awaiting merit or financial aid decisions, please register in full (e.g., specify the class selection) and select the option to delay payment. Late registrations may be accepted at the discretion of the director.
Payment: Accepting payment via check or credit card. Payment must be remitted to IU Conferences at iuconfs@iu.edu and must be made prior to the beginning of the program. Participants who have not paid tuition will be unable to participate.
Cancellation Policy:Click here for our most up to date cancellation policy.