The moment I knew what I wanted to do…

I started the violin in 4th grade in an elementary school in Irvine. At that time, I had no intention of continuing with it for the rest of my life - until I got accepted to the IUSD Honor Orchestra in 6th grade.

That experience was life-changing.

I saw the joy of music-making with fellow students who wanted to be involved in high levels of music-making.

So for me the drive of music is always collaboration with others, whether it be through chamber music, orchestra, or a composer coming up with a brand new work.

It was never an easy path with the competitive nature of classical music, occasional lack of motivation for practicing, and learning something difficult, but I always had a group of friends who did music with me; they helped me continue to push forward.

I try to make my students recognize the joy of music too, and that it is a communicative art form with other musicians and even the audience listening. 

My teaching journey started...​

I have been teaching privately since 2016, both at home lessons and in a music studio like FreshStart Music.

I was an Instructional Assistant for the music classes through the Irvine Unified School District. I’ve taught at the Wildwood Institute of Music and Arts in July of 2019 for the High School session. Also, I have been a judge for auditions and lead sectionals for the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble.

​I graduated from California State University Long Beach in 2021 for my Masters of Music while serving as the Strings Student Assistant for my violin professor, Dr. Moni Simeonov, and graduated from Chapman University in 2019 for my Bachelors of Music with a French minor. 

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Credentials and Awards

Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and French Minor - Chapman University
American Celebration Talent Scholarship for Music
Henri Temianka Merit Scholarship
Chancellor's Academic Scholarship
​New Music Ensemble Award
Master of Music in Violin Performance - Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, CSULB
Violinist of the University String Quartet with Music Scholarship
Recipient of the BCCM Carolyn Bremer Student Excellence Fund
Graduate Student Assistant for Department of String Studies

Why Teach?

I grew up in a privileged environment where my parents were able to provide me with lessons, an instrument, and even funding for summer music festivals.

As I’ve learned about different styles of music and their origins, and working in different environments for teaching where students of all different backgrounds come to learn, I’ve realized that I would like to be a mentor for my students and simply use the violin as a medium for that relationship.

All of my previous teachers have been a huge part of my life who’ve helped me outside of just violin technique, so I hope I can provide the same support for my students who spend so much of their time one-on-one with me.

My goal with teaching is not necessarily to train the next violin solo star, but to have students grow empathy towards the arts, explore different modes of communication with each other through collaboration, understand what it means to be focused and work towards a goal, and honestly to just have fun. 

Outside Music

I may not look like it, but I am a huge baseball fan, probably because my whole family are fans (Go Angels!).

I am also passionate about fitness and recently got into indoor climbing!

I grew up watching Studio Ghibli movies so they will always be dear to my heart.

​I also love to compose and play contemporary classical music (music written in the 21st century and beyond), so I love visiting contemporary art museums and attending creative small concerts for new music.