Opus 1 Music Studio is delighted to introduce its newest master piano teacher, Dr. Lina! Dr. Lina comes from a musical family, and was inspired by her older brothers, and cousin who played the piano. Dr. Lina recollects, "I started taking piano lessons when I was 4 years old. It was just a hobby at first. I did not have the dream yet of becoming a pianist. I also tried violin, but I did not find it to be as enjoyable as the piano. My older cousin was a piano teacher, and saw that I had potential. When I was 8 years old, I decided I wanted to become a pianist."
Dr. Lina continued to study under her cousin, and performed in several Korean orchestras before attaining a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Hanyang University. The culmination of her undergraduate studies brought her to Europe, where she pursued further education at the esteemed Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany, and Hogeschool Zuyd in Maastricht, the Netherlands, earning her Doctorate degree with the highest honors.
She is an expert in the realms of Schuman, Chopin, and Mozart, Dr. Lina brings to Opus 1 an expertise that was developed through years of both teaching and performing. Having served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Hanyang, she seamlessly intertwines her roles as a performer and an educator. In her role at Opus 1, Dr. Lina finds gratification in motivating her students, leveraging the attraction of academic success. "I am a pianist and a teacher at the same time, and I have been doing this for 20 years. A pianist is a person who communicates with people through their performance, and makes people feel comfort and happiness through their performance. It's teachers who teach and nurture those performers. I want my students to enjoy their studies. That is the most important thing. But some of my students want to take exams like the ABRSM or perform in competitions and recitals. That is great motivation for them to improve their skill," she said.
Dr. Lina's teaching philosophy was nurtured by her diverse musical education. Drawing from her experiences with both stringent Korean mentors and encouraging German professors, she is committed to making music education an enjoyable experience for her students. "The reason I did not like the violin was the experience I had with my teacher. My teachers in Korea were very strict, and I was always stressed out before my lessons. When I moved to Europe, I had a teacher that wished me luck before a performance, and told me to enjoy it and have fun. This changed my perspective, and I learned to enjoy music. This is what I want for my students. My goal is to make class enjoyable for them. I love to share my knowledge and be patient. I want them to have happy memories of piano lessons," she asserts.
Despite her continued commitment to performances, Dr. Lina's primary focus right now is nurturing the next generation of musicians. “The great advantages of Opus 1 are the facilities, and the team that helps teachers so they only have to concentrate on teaching. It’s a joy for me to meet so many parents who are passionate about their children, and to meet all the students of various talents here. I always remind my students to not give up, and to go step by step with patience. Practice constantly, and trust yourself. Above all, enjoy the process of learning, and your music,” she said.