CHOPIN ACADEMY - Key Persons
A former Piano Faculty at Eastman Community Music School (affiliated with Eastman School of Music) and Adjunct Lecturer at State University of New York at Geneseo, Chinese born pianist Dr. Chen Liang is a passionate educator and music scholar. He frequently gives masterclasses and lectures in both China and United States, and is a frequent presenter at the MTNA, CMS national conferences. Chen has also worked as an Assistant Instructor for both Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester, where he was acclaimed as "one of the most wanted piano teachers on campus". Chen is experienced and specialized in teaching pre-college teenagers, ranging from pure beginners to international competition winners. Back in China, Chen has co- founded the "Beyond the Clouds" summer piano festival in Chengdu and has been serving as the Artistic Director since 2018.
Besides teaching, Chen is also a rising star on stages. As a recording artist for KNS Classical in Spain and a performing artist for Chengdu City Concert Hall in China, Chen gives numerous recitals in China and America, passing his musical inspirations to thousands of audiences. As a frequent concerto soloist, Chen has played with Chong Qing Philharmonic in China, the Greece Symphony Orchestra in New York and Lynn Philharmonic in Florida. Chen is the winner of the 5th Manhattan International Music Competition in New York City, the 3rd Lira International Piano competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Big Arts Classical Music Scholarship Competition and the Lynn Concerto Competition in Florida. He also won top prizes in many other competitions including "ArsClassica" International Piano and Violin Competition in Italy, Piano Texas Music Festival Concerto Competition and the Chautauqua Music Festival Piano Competition. Currently Chen plays as a Collaborative Pianist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Choral Company.
Chen received his Bachelor's degree in piano performance from both Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China with Prof. Ai Zeng and Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, FL with Dr. Roberta Rust. He earned his MM (Master of Music) and DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Piano Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music, under the tutelage of Ms. Natalya Antonova, with a music theory minor field and Advanced Teaching Certificate.
Dr. Bowlby currently accepts students for his innovative hybrid teaching method. Combining several learning approaches, this method includes a preparatory stage of online learning for the initial stages of new repertoire acquisition, in-person artistry coaching in private and group settings, asynchronous recording analysis for fine-tuning, and finally unique and frequent concert opportunities at major venues throughout the United States, from Seattle to Carnegie Hall.
Since 2002, Dr. Christoper Bowlby has established himself as one of the most sought-after piano pedagogues, lecturers, and adjudicators. Aside from his successful career as an instructor of highly-accomplished piano students, Dr. Bowlby is also director and vice-president of the world renowned Seattle International Piano Festival and Competition, as well as program director of the Chopin Academy of Music in Issaquah, Washington. As an accomplished teacher of many award winning students, in 2012, Dr. Bowlby was invited with Dr Kaminska to present on a joint panel, the "Secrets of Winning a Competition" during the Music Teachers' National Conference in NYC.
Having performed in such prestigious musical centers as the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall in New York City,Salle Cortot in Paris, France, and Benaroya Hall and Meydenbauer Center in Seattle, among others, his playing has been acclaimed for its warmth and integrity.
Previously a winner of several young artists' and concerto competitions, he has been featured several times on Public Radio (both in Midwest as in Hawaii), both as a speaker as well as a pianist, including a live performance of Bach's Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828 on King FM in Seattle. His extensive repertoire shows his expertise both in the monumental romantic masterworks such as Brahms' "Handel Variations" and Schumann's "Symphonic Etudes" as well as new works by living composers, including John Corigliano, Jeff Junkinsmith, Laura Kaminsky, David Mitchell, and Owen Bloomfield. Equally at home with chamber music literature, Mr. Bowlby performed Beethoven's Sonata in A major with cellist, Yo-Yo Ma and frequently performs four-hand and duo piano music with his wife, Ivona Kaminska. Throughout his international studies, he has coached with such eminent artists as Marek Jablonski, Henri-Paul Sicsic, Eugene Skovorodnikov, Mark Clinton, Boris Berman, Stéphane Lemelin, Patricia Michaelian, and Craig Sheppard.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- President of the Seattle International Piano Competition
Dr. Ivona Kaminska is among the most successful and recognized artist-teachers today, evidenced by her pupils who garner top prizes in competitions each and every year. Combining the best of the Eastern European piano school with modern American pedagogy, she has helped generations of students achieve national and international success. Excelling in preparing young pianists for excellence and recognition, she specializes in gifted students who exhibit a solid work ethic and strong ambition. She is adored by students for her limitless devotion, support, passion, as well as straightforwardness and sense of humor.
Dr. Kaminska also serves as a President of the Seattle International Piano Competition and Festival, which was recognized by Wall Street Journal as one of the most inclusive piano competitions of our times. She is also the founding director of the Chopin Academy of Music, in Issaquah, which she developed with her husband, Dr. Bowlby, in 2005.
Joining the Chopin Academy of Music in 2021, Sungwoo Steven Kim comes from New York City. He performed in Broadway shows including the Phantom of Opera, Mary Poppins, Wicked, and Aladdin. An avid music educator, Kim has been faculty at Tufts University, Stonehill College, Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Camp, New York Music School, and Thurnauer School of Music. Kim has admitted more than a dozen students to the most prestigious music schools including The Juilliard School College/Pre-College Division, Manhattan School of Music College/Pre-College Division, Mannes College of Music Pre-College Division, New England Conservatory of Music College/Pre-College Division.
Outside the United States, Kim has performed across the globe, from Europe to Asia, as well as his native, Korea. During his residency in Berlin as a Konzertexamen fellow at ‘Hanns Eisler' Hochschule für Musik, he was named Acting Principal Flutist with Nürnberg Staatsphilharmonie Season 2011-12. Since his solo appearance debut at Carnegie Hall with the Interschool Orchestra of New York, Kim has given solo performances with numerous ensembles including New York Handel Festival Orchestra, Livingston Symphony Orchestra, William Paterson University Symphony and Haffner Sinfonietta in Boston.
Kim was awarded top prizes in national and international competitions including First Prize Winner at New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition in 2006, Bohuslav Martinů Prize at the 61st Prague Spring International Competition in 2007, Third Prize Winner at the 38th National Flute Association Young Artist Competition among many others.
Dr. Xinzhu (Zoe) Ma (ABD) is an YAMAHA Young Performing Artist and is now finishing her Doctoral degree in Piano performance and Literature under the tutelage of Marina Lomazov at Eastman School of music. Prior to her study at Eastman, she received her Master's of dual-degree in Piano Performance and Chamber Performance from University of Michigan under the tutelage of Arthur Greene and bachelor's degree under Tianshu Wang at Capital University.
Xinzhu has won many awards and scholarships and most recently, she has been awarded second prize in the Sugree Charoensook International Music Competition in 2021. Xinzhu has won her title of YAMAHA Young Performing Artist in 2019 along with many scholarships including NR- GRAD Merit Scholarship, like NR-JAMES A Walgreen Keyboard Scholarship, and NR-Joan Elizabeth Volz Scholarship. In her undergraduate years, Xinzhu was a finalist in the 7th Bösendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competition, and Grand Prize Winner in Pan Asian Young Artist Music Competition. In addition, she was also the finalist of Nomea International Competition and was a young juror of Author Fraser International Piano Competition in 2021.
She was the recipient of the Perrini Award for Outstanding Sophomore and Keller Award for Outstanding Freshman. Winning the first prize in Women in Music Columbus Audition and Student Concerto Competition, Xinzhu played Beethoven Piano Concerto No.2 with McConnell Chamber Orchestra and David Maslanka Piano Concerto No.2 with Capital Symphonic Winds in 2016. In Music Fest Perugia (Italy), Xinzhu also played Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 with Virtuosi Brunenses Orchestra in 2018.
Eliana Yi, began her piano studies at the age of five and cello at age ten. Ever since she was in elementary, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She was also dedicated to her piano studies, so she simply combined these two passions into a career! She has over eight years of experience in teaching and has been giving piano lessons in the Dallas area for the last six years.
Kiwa is originally from the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. After completing her studies at Ueno Gakuen Music School in Tokyo, Kiwa moved to the United States to pursue a career in piano performance. She currently holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from the University of Washington, studying under Dr. Robin McCabe. In addition to Dr. McCabe, Kiwa has studied under Willard Schultz in Seattle and Mieko Yanagihara in Japan.
In 2020, Kiwa was awarded an honorable mention in the National Young Artists' competition. She took 1st place at the UW School of Music Concerto Competition and performed a Mozart Piano Concerto with the UW Symphony. In 2022, she took 1st in the University division of The American Prize in Piano Performance. She recently performed McDowell's Concerto No 2 with Philharmonia Northwest and Mozart No 14 with the UW Symphony. She also collaborated with the University of Washington Wind Ensemble and played Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble by Nancy Galbraith and Concertino for Piano, Winds, and Harp by Kamiló Lendvay. She also has had many experiences performing in recitals and private parties, including Masada Children's Fund and the University Rotary. She recently performed at the graduation celebration of music department of University of Washington as a representative of graduates.
Kiwa has been playing the piano since she was 3 years old, and from that moment discovered piano as her true passion and one of the best tools to express emotions. Kiwa strives to show students how to discover and develop their own passion for music, something that they can treasure throughout their lives. First and foremost, her main focus is to ensure that students truly enjoy any time spent learning piano. Keeping piano fun and seeing the inspiration in students is her most beloved aspect of teaching. She firmly believes that developing music skills is deeply enriching across all age and skill ranges and enjoys teaching anyone who has a willingness to learn.
Kiwa combines a unique approach of both English and Japanese teaching methods and is fluent in both languages. She places great emphasis on building strong technical fundamentals, as this is paramount to the early learning experience, as well as future growth. Learning music is a journey, and a teacher is responsible for guiding the student along an enjoyable path. Kiwa highly values the needs and interests of the student, working with them to create a curriculum that is both effective and engaging.
Ms. Renny Ko has quickly made a name for herself in the Pacific Northwest as one of the most driven, passionate, and ambitious piano instructors. Her teaching style sets excellence through a strong technical foundation and complete musical understanding at the forefront for each student at every level. Her uncompromising dedication to continuous progress is accompanied by her cheerful and radiant personality. She has quickly made herself known in the music community as an instructor of award-winning students in local piano competitions, and adjudicator.
Born and raised in Northern California, Ms. Renny Ko began piano at the age of six under Erna Gulabyan in the prestigious Pre-College Division of San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a young pianist she won numerous prizes in young artist competitions including the Yehudi Menuhin-Helen Dowling Competition, Burlingame Music Club Piano Competition, CMTANC youth piano competition, among others.
Having received the Premier Young Artist Award and the Music Faculty Scholarship to Indiana University, she completed her Bachelor Degree under tutelage of the world-renowned professor Emile Naoumoff. After graduating from Indiana University with Honors and Distinctions, she was awarded a full scholarship and fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC), obtaining her Masters of Music degree under the guidance of Bernadene Blaha. During her years at USC, she was an active member of the MTNA collegiate chapter and graduated to be a part of the Pi Kappa Lambda Eta Chapter.
Renny has attended numerous international summer festivals receiving further distinction and visibility, such as the Schlern International Music Festival, the Rebecca Penneys and The International Holland Music Sessions, among others. She has also worked with such world famous pianists as John O'Conor, Spencer Myer, and Mikhail Voskresensky.