Written by John McEnhill, Primary Coordinator
The IIIP (In-school Individual Instrumental Programme) offered at YCIS Pudong provdes a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their musical skills in a one-to-one teaching environment. We currently have 243 students in the IIIP programme, across ECE,Primary and Secondary. The talent and hard work of our students was displayed in our recent IIIP recitals. At the core of the programme are our team of highly skilled and qualified instructors. We caught up with four of our busiest instructors, Peter Pan, Natalie Wang, Benny Shi, and Jenni Tsai, to learn a little more about these very talented teachers and musicians.
Benny Shi
Firstly, tell us about your musical expertise?
I am a violin teacher and play the violin in orchestras, but I also like to play the piano in my spare time.
What about your musical background….?
I was brought up playing the violin at school and decided to study professionally at university. I have played in several orchestras and bands in China and also in other countries. After my graduation, I worked as a personal violin tutor.
What do you enjoy about working with students at YCIS?
There are students from different ages, countries and cultures at YCIS. But music is an international language. While teaching them, I feel their enthusiasm.
What do you think the IIIP program brings to the students?
Good music education can promote development in other subjects and promote the balance of intelligence and emotion. In the IIIP program, the students’ music learning can be really well adjusted according to the students’ own needs – this is the beauty of one-to-one music tuition.
What do you like to do in your spare time other than play music?
Travelling. It helps me to enrich myself and play better music.
What advice would you give to anyone considering learning a musical instrument?
It is not easy to learn a skill well. You need not only hard work, but also patience and perseverance. There will be many lonely moments in our life. If we have music to accompany us, we will not be lonely.
Peter Pan
Firstly, tell us about your musical expertise?
I am a guitar teacher and play the guitar in bands, but I also like to play the drums and the bass and piano in my spare time!
What about your musical background….?
I love music, especially rock bands and jazz. Since I saved the money to buy my first guitar, I have fallen in love with this instrument. I have formed several bands with different styles, participated in many music festivals, and now I am also engaged in music production, song composition and teaching at school.
What do you enjoy about working with students at YCIS?
The students have such imagination, perseverance, and enthusiasm.
What do you like to do in your spare time other than play music?
I enjoy playing sports and travelling.
What advice would you give to anyone considering learning a musical instrument?Listen to many kinds of music, and try to understand the story behind the music. Also participate in some music festivals and performances to feel the charm of live music!
Natalie Wang
Firstly, tell us about your musical expertise?
I work as both a piano and vocal instructor at YCIS.
What about your musical background….?
I hold double Master’s degrees in education and piano pedagogy from China and the US. I am also active in teachings and performaning both in the California Bay Area and in Shanghai. During my 14 years piano and vocal teaching, I have always believed I can bring passion and joy to anyone who is willing devote their time to music.
What do you enjoy about working with students at YCIS?
Every student gets to practice violin which provides a good music foundation for other instrumental learning. The kids are creative and enthusiastic about music and always understand musical concepts well.
What do you like to do in your spare time other than play music?
Traveling and language learning are my favorite two hobbies. These experiences inspire my teaching philosophy and teaching methods
What advice would you give to anyone considering learning a musical instrument?
Just come and register for IIIP! You will meet good teachers – then you need to take daily practice.
Jenni Tsai
Firstly, tell us about your musical expertise?
I am a flutist proficient in classical and jazz genres.
What about your musical background….?
I received a full music education from Taiwan and then received my Masters degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston. I am classically trained and have performed with several orchestras abroad: now I am mostly playing jazz music and have made appearances in several international jazz festivals including the JZ Shanghai jazz festival.
What do you enjoy about working with students at YCIS?
The students are hard-working and passionate about music. They have their own opinions in terms of interpreting music.
What do you think the IIIP program brings to the students?
A platform to learn an instrument from highly qualified teachers and an opportunity to perform in front of an audience during the annual recital.
What do you like to do in your spare time other than play music?
Spending time with my dogs and doing yoga, or hitting the gym to release some stress.
What advice would you give to anyone considering learning a musical instrument?
Stick to one instrument and get good at it!