Faculty Members Archive - Page 4 of 7 -

Eva Chen Yu-Fei

Field(s) of study: Piano, Theory

Born : Taiwan

Degrees: Master degree of Music in Piano Performance at Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, Belgium; Bachelor of Music, National Taipei University of Education, Taiwan

Biography: Ms Eva Chen Yu-Fei is a Taiwanese pianist who has several teaching and performing experiences. She received her Master of Music in piano performance from Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, Belgium. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and composition from National Taipei University of Education.

In the pursuit of her passion, Ms Eva decides to enrich her knowledge by enrolling in various masterclasses conducted by well-known pianists, such as Markus Groh, Vesna Prodrug, Oxana Yablonskaya, Nelson Delle-vigne Fabbri, and Philippe Entremont. As a pianist and piano accompanist, she has had the privilege of performing at prestigious music festivals, concerts in Europe. She joined the fine art & music program and performed at Bozar. Before the Covid epidemic, she gave a series of live chamber music concerts with Trumpet player- Irene Monari at Klarafestival Box in 2020.

In 2019, Ms Eva Chen Yu- Fei was awarded a scholarship to be an exchange student at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland.

With 20 years of experience in music, Ms Eva Chen Yu-Fei is good at sight- reading, strong analyse skills, and music theory. She has dedicated herself to her music career.

Faculty : Faculty since April 2024

Fanny Chang Wen-Huei

Field(s) of study: Piano

Born : Taiwan

Degrees: Doctor of Musical Arts, Arizona State University; Master of Music, University of Wyoming; Bachelor of Music, National Taipei University of Education

Biography: Ms Fanny received her Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from Arizona State University. She also holds a Master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Wyoming, and a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from National Taipei University of Education.

Ms Fanny has gained invaluable experience as both a teacher and performer during her studies at school. While studying at UW, she received a full scholarship and served as a graduate assistant, working with wind symphony, orchestra, string ensembles, and soloists. She continued working as a collaborative pianist at the same school after graduation. During her studies at ASU, Ms Fanny was a teaching assistant offering class piano for beginners and music majors. She also worked as a piano instructor at TakeLessons.com. Her doctoral dissertation, titled ‘Four Piano Works of Ming-Hsiu Yen,’ serves as an accessible reference for pianists interested in Yen’s compositions and the repertoire of contemporary Taiwanese piano music. The paper was published in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

As a pianist, Ms Fanny has had the privilege of performing at prestigious music festivals, concerts, and competitions in the USA, Europe, and Taiwan. She was the winner of the MTNA Wyoming State Piano Competition (USA) and the YAMAHA National Piano Competition (Taiwan). Additionally, she was selected to perform at the Honor Convocation at the UW recital hall and was invited to participate in the ASU exchange program with the Conservatoire National de Grenoble. Her journey has also involved performances in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Yekwon Sunwoo, Ching-Yun Hu, Neil Rutman, France Clidat, Read Gainsford, and Fernando Puchol.

In recent years, Ms Fanny has had several students who achieved distinction in their ABRSM or Trinity piano examinations. One of her students was the winner of the 2022 New York Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. Her commitment to teaching excellence has been recognized through teacher certificates of recognition from SRIMF Competition, Music Singapore International Piano and Violin Competition, and New York Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition.

Faculty : Faculty since July 2023

Su Chia-Hui

Field(s) of study : Piano

Born : Taiwan

Degrees : Doctorate degree of Music in Piano performance, Conservatorio di Musica Luca Marenzio di Brescia, Italy

Biography : Chia-Hui Su is a Taiwanese pianist who has many teaching and performing experiences all over Asia and Europe. She has a bachelor’s degree in science and music. She won the first prize in the Japan Classical Music Competition in 2011, the third prize in the Taiwan music competition in 2012, and the last round qualifier of the Tainan government music competition in 2014. During 2013 – 2015, she continued studying for her Master degree in Music at National Chiayi University, and was a Teaching Assistant of the musical solfeggio course during her study; she was also a Teaching Assistant and piano accompanist in the course “Voice of Music Training” at the National Chiayi University.

She received her Diploma Accademia di Musica di Secondo Livello (equivalent to Doctorate degree) in Piano Performance from Conservatorio di Musica “Luca Marenzio” di Brescia in Italy, under many great pianists’ guidance: Ruggero Ruocco, Daniela Piovani, Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli and Giampaolo Stuani. At the same time, she studied the accompaniment practice and choral conducting with Prof. Marco Ghiglione.

During her study in Italy, she had participated in numerous concerts: Concert review of the students of the Conservatory, 2016 Milano Piano City, 2017 “Mille Miglia” in Brescia at the Auditorium San Barnaba, “2017 Marenzio Plays” in the Musical Academy-Mind Literary Café, 2017 and 2018 Brescia Music Festival at Piazza Benedetti Michelangeli, both as a solo pianist and accompanist.

She completed her doctoral thesis in November 2018, “Debussy between Impressionism and Symbolism: Suite Bergamasque in Formal, Thematic and Harmonic Analysis”, conducted by the Italian pianist and composer, Prof. Alessandro Lucchetti, and graduated with a high score to receive the Highest Piano Performance Diploma.

She was invited by NTUE to open an online lecture, “Science x Music: Open your International Date Line / Multidisciplinary learning experience sharing”, to share and exchange ideas with college students in May 2020. In the same year, she also participated in the edx Course, “Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and the 19th Century Orchestra”, held by Harvard University, under Prof. Thomas Forrest Kelly. And she was honored to be invited to participate in the 2020 Taiwan National Day activities hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore and Taipei Business Association In Singapore. Lately she finished the edX Course, “Artistic Research in Music”, held by KU LEUVEN University & Orpheus Institute in October 2021.

Her performance and teaching experience is all over Asia and Europe: Taipei, Tainan, Chiayi, Singapore, Milan, Brescia, Paris, etc.

Faculty : August 2022

Sandy Li

Field(s) of study : Piano, Flute

Born : Taiwan

Degrees : Master’s Degree in Instrumental Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (UK)

Biography : Taiwanese flautist and pianist Ms. Sandy Li completed her Master’s Degree in Instrumental Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (UK) and Bachelor’s Degree in Music at University of Taipei (Taiwan). Ms. Sandy has taken part in a variety of famous flute masterclasses, such as William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, Denis Bouriakov, James Galway, Emily Beynon and Amy Porter.

In 2014, Ms. Sandy participated in the 5th Singapore Flute Festival, winning the 1st Prize of the Open Category and Audience Award. In 2017, she won the 3rd Prize in Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Prize and played André Jolivet’s Flute Concerto with Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2018, she was the principal flute in Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra for the Royal Gala Opening Concert under conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and recorded by BBC Radio 3.

Ms. Sandy has experienced in the music industry both flute and piano for almost 20 years. She played a number of orchestral concerts, various performances and also had an experienced teaching background in Taiwan, UK and Singapore.

Faculty : Faculty since August 2022

Chng Xin Bei

Field(s) of study : Piano

Born : Malaysia

Degrees : Bachelor of Classical Music, UCSI University Institute of Music

Biography : Ms Chng Xin Bei received her Foundation degree at LASALLE College of Music and her Bachelor of Classical Music (Hons.) in Classical Piano at UCSI University (Malaysia) where she studied under the tutelage of Ms. Jaz Tan Siaw Pei who was formerly the Head of Classical Music Degree Program.

Ms. Chng has been working with children and young adults for 8 years since she started her career working as a part-time piano teacher during her years at university. Since then, she had worked as a primary music teacher at Tenby International School in Malaysia where she devised a new Primary music syllabus for the school. She then travelled to Toronto, Canada, where she taught after-school keyboard classes to young children in schools under the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and also accompanied musical performances at a summer camp. She is also an avid performer, both as a soloist and in an ensemble. Her past performances had brought her to countries such as China, Korea, Canada and Malaysia. Ms. Chng believes that music is to be enjoyed in all forms as she is an active member in award-winning choirs for over a decade where she has had a chance to participate in choral festivals and competitions all over the world. It was also then that she had a chance to perform at major events such as TEDx and various other music festivals. She was also privileged to perform with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) under the baton of Maestro Benjamin Zander, who is currently the musical director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ms. Chng has proved to be a passionate and motivated teacher as her students have mostly excelled in their ABRSM theory and practical exams under her guidance, achieving merits and distinctions. Her methods of teaching not only solely focus on the technicality of playing, but also provides insightful information that is relevant to their pieces in regards to the composer’s historical background. That way, students would not only be able to play the pieces accurately but would also have the ability to bring the pieces to life.

Faculty : Faculty since Aug 2021

Joy Feng Yue

Field(s) of study : Violin, Viola

Born : China

Degrees : Bachelor of Music, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

Biography : Studied with Professor Sui Keqiang & Wang Shaoyu at the middle school attached to the Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing). Winner of violin competitions in Shenyang. Member of China Youth Orchestra performing with Lang Lang & Chenxi. Freelance member of Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Tang Wern Ning

Field(s) of study : Preschooler

Born : Singapore

Degrees : Masters of Arts, NTU (Singapore); Bachelor of Music, University of Toronto (Canada)

Biography : Ms Tang holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) as well as a Master of Arts degree. She has taught music for more than 20 years in Singapore.

After her undergraduate studies in Canada, she received a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree at NTU, after which she lectured in the music department of NIE. Having a great interest in music education, she visited the Orff Institute in Salzburg and Zoltan Kodaly Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemet, Hungary.

She had the privilege of studying briefly under Professor Peter Erdei, the founder and director of Zoltan Kodaly Pedagogical Institute of Music.

A popular and dedicated teacher, she specializes in teaching young children. As graduands of the Preschooler Programme have a solid foundation in piano skills and basic theory knowledge, they have a good head start and therefore many continue to do well under the teaching of other teachers in Mandeville.

Her ability to help and inspire students to their best potential in playing the piano is well shown in the results of one of her 8-year old pupils who attained Distinction in Grade 8 ABRSM exam recently. In addition, the majority of her young pupils whom she sent for the ABRSM exams (various grades) achieved Distinction; the rest obtained at least a Merit.

Ms Tang has also been awarded a Certificate of Recognition by Vienna Virtuoso Festival, “for the extraordinary dedication and achievement in the field of teaching music and presenting students to perform at Altes Rathaus Vienna”.

She continues to attend courses in relation to music education to be inspired and informed.

Faculty : Faculty since 2002

Chen Chia-Min

Field(s) of study : Cello & Piano

Born : Taiwan

Degrees : MMus (Performance), University of Hartford, Hartford, CT, USA

Biography : Chen Chia-Min is a professional cellist and educator. She has provided music instruction to students of all ages for nearly twenty years, with an emphasis on technique and expression development. Although her training is based primarily on the Suzuki Method, she customizes her instruction for each student to insure student safety through proper position and motion.

She also strives to inspire and encourage students with a goal of engaging them in a life-long learning process. As a result, many of her students have gone on to continue their studies at such prestigious institutions as UCLA, the Longy School of Music, Mannes Colleges of Music, Hartt School of Music, the Birmingham Conservatory, Leopold-Mozart-Zentrum der Universität,Hoschschule fur Künste Bremen, and others.

Ms Chen stresses the importance of performing and has performed extensively in the United States and Taiwan, including a recent performance of Beethoven’s Trio Concerto with the National University of Tainan Symphony Orchestra. She is also an accomplished pianist and continues to perform informally as accompanist.

Ms Chen attained a Master of Music (performance) from the University of Hartford (Hartford, CT, USA) in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (San Francisco, CA, USA).

Faculty : August 2016

Zhang Yanjun

Field(s) of study : Violin

Born : China

Degrees : 2012 Bachelor degree (second class honours) in Violin performance at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore

Biography : Has been teaching since 2011

Faculty : Ms Zhang started playing the violin at the age of 6. She enrolled in the Middle School attached to the Xinghai Conservatory of Music (Guangzhou, China) at 12 years old. As a chamber violinist, she won the 1st prize in the 14th Asia-Hong Kong piano competition Quintet Group in 2007. A year later, she received the full scholarship from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of music for her bachelor’s degree.

Ms Zhang joined Mandeville in 2012. Since then, all her students passed the violin exams obtaining excellent results. She believes that all students should enjoy the fun of playing music and to start their musical journey with joy.

Faculty: Faculty since 2012

Veronika Sakhno

Field(s) of study : Violin, Viola

Born : Ukraine

Degrees : Master & Bachelor Degree in Music Arts – S.S Prokofiev Donetsk State Academy of Music (Ukraine), First-class honours of Junior Specialist Degree in Music Arts – Donetsk College

Biography : A trained instructor in the violin and viola, Ms Veronika has helmed 8 years under her belt in teaching at various local music schools and also in the Ukraine. Her professional experience includes performing in regional recitals, orchestras and chamber music with the most recent being part of a string quintet in the Singapore International Festival of Music. She was also one of the international jury members of the 4^th International String Competition in Thailand. In addition, Ms Veronika has also volunteered in conducting masterclasses and recitals in Harrow International School, Bangkok. Being a competitive player, she has also won top prizes in music competitions in the Ukraine.

Ms Veronika, who is a committed and passionate individual, is adept in identifying the needs of her students and is able to adapt her delivery style to meet the diverse needs of learners. She is currently in the midst of researching on ‘Flow Theory’ and is eager to integrate this concept into her lessons.

Faculty : Faculty since October 2017