Meet Emily Chang | Kindermusik Educator & Piano Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with EMILY Chang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi EMILY, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I’m very glad I was able to continue teaching my piano and Kindermusik classes online during this pandemic period, seeing my students’ big smiles as we make music together. (Kindermusik is a group music and movement class for young children.) Every week, they are all still able to learn, have fun, and feel a bit of normalcy throughout this special time, and for the Kindermusik children, see their friends virtually, talk about what they’ve been up to, and show us what books or toys they have been enjoying these days. With the enrollments of new families from cities further out from the San Gabriel Valley that don’t have Kindermusik, we are able to meet them, become friends, share parenting ideas before and after class, sing “Happy Birthday” to the birthday girls and boys, and help toddlers who were not ready to wear masks yet to begin wanting to wear them after we’ve sung the “Your Mask, My Mask” song in class, with most everyone wearing his or her masks! Thankfully, music and the internet has kept us connected, and deepened our care and concern for one another.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Since young, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. During our Kindermusik class, I oftentimes have babies or toddlers who’ve just met me come sit in my laps, or wanting to “climb” all over me to get closer. Immediately, their caregivers would always comment surprisingly that they’ve never seen their child do that to someone she’s never met before! I also hear from many of my friends and piano students’ parents that I’m very patient and calm, which I feel is very important, especially if a student has difficulty understanding something, or has trouble focusing during lessons. Getting to know each students’ personality and how they learn best are also crucial to helping them accomplish something and build confidence. Every day, I always strive to become a better teacher, and I believe perseverance is the key behind all successes in life!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A few of my favorite spots in Los Angeles would be the Getty Museum, Griffith Park, and the Hollywood Bowl. All of these places have stunning views, world-class art and music, and places where you can either picnic or find in the area many wonderful choices of food to try out. Also, you can just sit, relax, and simply soak in the beautiful sights around you, or the amazing music. It’s a city where people of all kinds of interests can always find something they will enjoy!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been so fortunate to have so many loving and caring people around me, who have supported me in so many ways throughout my life! My awesome family who is always there for me no matter what, my teachers who have helped me to pursue my dreams, and friends and colleagues who have given me wonderful advices and guidance whenever I need them, and everyone who’s been on the path of my Avatar Course, a self-development course that has helped me realize who I am, and to believe in myself. I cannot thank them enough!

Website: musicwithmsemily.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindermusikwithmsemily/