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.

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. 

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.

Chloe Chung is a Hong-Kong born classical pianist, currently pursuing her MM degree under the tutelage of Arnaldo Cohen at IU. As the bronze medalist of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia, she has performed internationally including Vienna, Salzburg, North Carolina, Indianapolis, South Africa, Taiwan, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. With over 6 years of teaching experiences, she aspires to provide mentorships to young musicians, helping them achieve infinite possibilities with their lively imaginations.

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.

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.

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. 

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 has been a piano instructor with the IU Young Pianists program since 2019. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University, a Master’s from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor’s from the University of South Carolina. He also currently works in the Jacobs School of Music Undergraduate Office.

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.

One 60-minute private lesson per week

• Instruction: 15 lessons per semester
• Tuition: $645

Two 30-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.

• For young beginners ages 4.5 to 5 years old. Please click here for prerequisites.
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Instruction: 14 classes per semester
• Tuition: $420
• Classes meet on Saturdays from 11:45am-12:30pm.