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About

Welcome to Music Memos, a collection of notes about music education.

The purpose of this blog is to share ideas related to:

  • Music and piano teaching issues
  • New music education research, facts, and stats
  • Pedagogical techniques for music teachers
  • Business aspects to teaching
  • Music educator entrepreneurship

This blog is authored by Theresa Chen, owner of Opus Music School in California, founder of www.OpusMusicEducation.com and www.OpusMusicWorksheets.com, a private piano instructor, and early childhood music specialist.

Let’s learn, share, and cultivate music education together.  Enjoy!

About Theresa Chen

Theresa started her musical journey at the age of six. While piano was her first instrument, she also learned four other musical instruments and participated in numerous public recitals, master classes, and local piano competitions as a child.

She began teaching music when she was a student at UCLA and was asked to take over the instruction of after-school piano classes at elementary schools in West LA. Since then, she has been actively teaching private and group piano lessons. She received her Masters degree from California State University Fullerton where she majored in Piano Pedagogy, focusing on group and private piano instruction. In 2005, Theresa was recognized with the Star Award by the Music Teachers National Association for her successful teaching experience and outstanding contributions to the music teaching profession.  She is a current active member of the Music Teacher’s Association of California (MTAC), the Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT).

Theresa Chen has over 10 years of experience teaching children and adults. She teaches beginners, intermediate, and advanced piano students of all ages, but specializes in early childhood music education (ages 4-7).  She currently owns one of California’s premiere music schools, Opus Music School and has a full studio of private piano students.

Theresa previously worked as a financial analyst but her love for music and passion for arts education led her to form Opus Music Education. Today, her goal is to share the joys of music so that others may discover the many lifelong benefits associated with the gift of music. She is eager to help guide you through your own musical adventure.

Teaching Experience

  • Private piano teacher since 2002
  • Neighborhood Music School (Arcadia, CA)
  • Yamaha Corporation of America headquarters (Buena Park, CA) – Music In Education corporate department
  • Fountain Music Center (La Puente, CA)
  • KinderMusik (Hacienda Heights, CA) – Early childhood music instructor (ages 3-5)
  • Elements Music (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) – Group after-school piano instructor at Mira Catalina Elementary School
  • The Pasadena Symphony (Pasadena, CA) – Education intern

Education

  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Bachelor of Science, Business-Economics
  • California State University, Fullerton – Master of Arts, Piano Pedagogy

Musical Experience and Awards

  • Passed Advanced Level in Certificate of Merit, piano
  • Completed certificate training in the Robert Pace Kinder-Keyboard Method
  • 2005 Music Teachers National Association “Star” Award
  • 2003 Performing Arts Foundation for Asian-Americans Scholarship recipient
  • 2000 All-Southern High School Honor Band, clarinet
  • 2000 Don Gunderson Music Scholarship
  • 2000 Bank of America Award in Fine Arts
  • 2000 Louis Armstrong Music Trophy
  • 2nd place winner of the 2000 Southern Youth Music Festival, duo piano
  • Music Teachers Association of California Panel Semi-Finalist, piano

Teachers

  • Eduardo Delgado
  • Dr. Martha-Baker Jordan (Author of “Practical Piano Pedagogy”)
  • Dr. Neil Stannard
  • Dr. Audrey Grigsby
  • Janelle Poull

Other Professional Experience

  • 2008 – 2013: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP – Manager in Transaction Services practice
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Active license holder licensed by California Board of Accountancy

Find me on LinkedIn.

Theresa’s Websites

  • www.OpusMusicSchool.com – Music school in Hacienda Heights, California, founded by Theresa and where she teaches.
  • www.OpusMusicEducation.com – Find a music teacher,  search a database of qualified music teachers, and sign up for music lessons.
  • www.OpusMusicWorksheets.com – Free printable music theory worksheets, music flashcards, music business forms, and other music education resources.
2 Comments leave one →
  1. Sandy Lee permalink
    July 12, 2010 12:07 pm

    Hi Theresa,

    Very nice blog! My co-worker is thinking of opening up a specialty day-care center focused on dance and music. I sent her this link so that she and her husband can get into the mind of a fantastic music instructor.

    Hope you’re well and Bubbles are well!

    Sandy

    Reply
  2. Euni Sung permalink
    May 17, 2011 10:43 am

    Hi Theresa,

    I left a message to you through GetLessonsNow.com requesting your availability teaching the piano. We live in Pasadena near old town and we are looking for a piano teacher who is nurturing and patient with young kids. Please contact me if you are available or there is someone who you might be able to refer. Thanks.

    Euni

    Reply

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