Between Concert Hall and Piano Bench
Between the concert hall and the classroom, I began thinking early on about the connection between artistic practice and pedagogical work. How can one pass on one's own virtuosity and musical expression in such a way that students benefit from it? I was particularly inspired by the intensive engagement with instrumental pedagogy during my studies, which had a lasting impact on my view of teaching.
Today I combine technical precision, movement analysis and musical understanding into a holistic approach that adapts individually to the needs of the learners.
Art of Teaching!?
I began to gain my first teaching experience while I was studying for my bachelor's degree in Japan. At that time, I was still in the midst of an intensive struggle for perfection and mastering highly virtuosic passages and demanding repertoires.
But early on I asked myself the question:
How can these insights and solutions be passed on to the next generation?
As a young teacher, I was often faced with the challenge of showing my students the right path - especially when I encountered stumbling blocks myself. But a good teacher is not only a companion, but also a pioneer who helps with new perspectives.
A key moment for my future path was meeting Prof. Ulrike Wohlwender at the Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts. Unlike many other music universities, the HMDK offers an independent focus on instrumental pedagogy, which is led by Prof. Wohlwender with passion and vision. This intensive engagement with the "art of teaching" ultimately led me to a master's degree in piano pedagogy, which I completed with top marks in 2019.
The Art of Changing Perspectives
In piano lessons, it is crucial every day to take the students' perspective: Where are their hurdles? What is blocking them? From preparation for competitions - whether regional, national or international, such as the Ettlingen International Piano Competition - to the detailed movement analysis of virtuoso etudes, musical, technical and psychological aspects play a central role. Instrumental pedagogy means combining all of these elements with music theory, music history and understanding their interrelationships. Like a Swiss watch, countless small steps interlock - each one deserves the utmost attention and care.
This work is embedded in a changing society and the advancement of technological possibilities. During my master's studies, I developed the idea of supplementing the teaching material with professional audio recordings.
This resulted in a recording of the youth album Toll in Moll (Breitkopf & Härtel), which was not only well received by critics and specialist magazines, but also marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.
Further productions such as Hello Mr. Gillock, Beautiful Piano Pieces for All Occasions and The Four-Handed Keyboard Crocodile followed.
Pedagogy, Teaching, and Research
In addition to my practical teaching activities, I dedicate myself to theoretical deepening and reflection. Topics such as improvisation, music philosophy, and aesthetic experiences in piano instruction are particularly inspiring to me. I regularly share my research findings through professional articles (Üben & Musizieren) and at conferences held by EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association).
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Since the winter semester of 2022/23, I have been teaching piano pedagogy at the HMDK Stuttgart, where I also took on a substitute professorship for piano in 2023.
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For me, the combination of teaching, research, and artistic practice is an inexhaustible source of inspiration – and a daily invitation to discover new paths in instrumental pedagogy.