Opus 1 Music Studio is honored to feature longtime piano student, Emily! She has been studying with our founder, Teacher Doris, for the past 10 years, beginning when she was just five years old. “I’ve been a student here for a little over 10 years. I started when I was five, and I was just having a good time. That all changed when my parents bought me a real piano. I practiced so long that day. I was like, ‘oh my gosh, this is so cool.’ The keys felt different. My parents wanted me to have this opportunity to enrich my life with music,” she explained.
During her time at Opus 1, Emily has been invited to eight honors recitals, showcasing her dedication and love for the piano. Her hard work was especially evident during her recent performance of Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9, No. 1 at the 2025 Honors Recital (be sure to check out a clip of her performance above!). “That moment when a piece just starts to click, and it sounds exactly like it’s supposed to, is the best feeling,” Emily said. At just 15, Emily has also already completed her ABRSM exams through Grade 8, earning distinction on her final exam. “I earned ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction in freshman year. Preparation was tricky with my other extracurricular activities, but it worked out, and I’m pretty proud of that achievement,” she reflected.
In addition to completing her exams, Emily has a track record of success at the US Open Competitions, winning her first competition when she was in fifth grade. “I won gold at my first piano competition in fifth grade. I was not expecting that. There were other people who were really good too, so I was really proud of myself,” she said, adding, “This year I’m doing the US Open again, as a duet with a friend. Mostly for fun, but our goal is still to win and to take a professional video during the competition.”
When asked about her journey to success, Emily explained that love for the instrument is key in determining how far your own personal learning journey will go: “Ask yourself if you love piano. If you do, you’ll return to it even when it’s hard. Being good takes time and practice. You’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come,” she reflected.
Her approach to learning new pieces reflects both her discipline and careful attention to detail. “I usually start with my right hand for the melody, then slowly add the left hand. Once the notes and timing are solid, I work on musicality,” she explained. “Listening to Teacher Doris and other pianists really helps me understand the rhythm and musical details of the piece,” she said. To stay consistent, Emily sets aside general blocks of time during the week for piano practice. “Not exact times, but general blocks before my other activities … That’s my piano time,” she noted. “Sometimes when I have more time, I just dig out my old sheet music and start playing again for fun,” Emily shared.
Emily’s dedication and love for the piano have been nurtured by her studies with Teacher Doris. “Teacher Doris is really inspiring and encouraging. She’s always there with reminders and support, and she helps me polish details I never even thought about,” Emily shared. “She also plays for me during lessons, and hearing her sound quality and energy helps me understand how the piece is supposed to feel and sound. It really guides my practice at home.”
“Teaching Emily from the very beginning has been a true joy,” said Teacher Doris. “She is incredibly diligent, responsible, and musical, and watching her grow—from her first lessons to completing Grade 8 and winning competitions like the U.S. Open—has been inspiring. I’m excited to guide her as she prepares for the ARSM,” she shared.
Emily’s growth as a pianist has been shaped not only by her dedication but also by the environment at Opus 1. “Everyone is always cheering me on,” she shared. Recitals are a source of inspiration as well. “Seeing younger students reminds me how far I’ve come, and older students inspire me to continue learning,” Emily explained.
Through her years at Opus 1, Emily has also learned an important life lesson from piano. “Persistence is a key life lesson I’ve learned. When a piece gets hard, I just have to keep moving forward. Overcoming difficulties makes it sound good in the end,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Emily plans to continue sharing her music and supporting her fellow students. “I plan to continue performing, sharing music, and seeing other students’ performances. I want to keep playing throughout college and beyond,” she said.