Teaching
A three-time Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher recipient (2016, 2018 & 2020), New York trained concert pianist Derek Zhi Guang Chiu welcomes you to his professional teaching studio.
“Derek is an incredibly skilled and effective online music teacher. His vibrant personality and deep experience as an instructor make his online lesson engaging and productive. He has a top-notch studio setup and a broad capacity for using technology in his teaching. This creates a seamless and highly successful digital learning environment for his students.” - John Scully, Educational Online Program Specialist - The Royal Conservatory
The Derek Chiu Difference
Derek brings a wealth of international teaching and performing experience to his students. Students of Derek Chiu are mentored artistically and are fostered creatively so that their personalities are showcased in performance. His students develop a thorough and deep cognitive understanding of music performance, practise and theoretical subjects. Cognitive learning promotes:
Self Analysis, Awareness and Accountability
Improved Comprehension
Creative and Efficient Problem-Solving Skills
Confidence Building
Instills a Love of Life-Time Learning
Develops Personal Artistry and Promotes Creativity
Teaching Experience
Over 25 years of private piano instruction in Canada and the United States
Faculty at The Cremona International Music Academy (Cremona, Italy)
Faculty at The Vancouver Island Music Academy formerly JVL Music in the Summer
Class piano instructor at The University of Windsor School of Music
Notable Students
Luka Coetzee - https://www.lukacoetzee.com/
Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar with Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt
ARCT in Piano and Cello Performance
First Prize Winner at 9th Johansen International Strings Competition
Special prize for “the most promising semi-finalist” in the 6th UNISA International Strings Competition
First Prize at the Morningside Music Bridge International Concerto Competition
Second Prize at the 2019 Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Competition
Semi-finalist at the Stulberg International Strings Competition
Third Prize at the 2021 Shean Strings & Piano Competition
Benjamin Schmalz
3rd Prize Winner of The 9th International Cremona Competition for Strings, Piano and Voice
Bachelor of Music from the University of Regina Department of Music
Graduate studies with Stephan Sylvestre at The University of Western Ontario Don Wright Faculty of Music (Scholarship Student)
Scholarship awards from the Calgary Performing Arts Festival
Graduate School Offer - With scholarship from University of Alberta
Huangyang Li
Bachelor of Music from Bishop’s University with four-year scholarship
Graduate studies with Esther Ning Yau at Longy School of Music at Bard College (Scholarship Student)
Marjorie Patterson
Bachelor of Music from Ambrose University
Graduate studies with Dr. Irena Kofman at Florida Atlantic Univeristy (Scholarship Student and Graduate Assistanship)
Graduate School Offers - WIth Scholarships from Longy School of Music at Bard College and University of Montana
Lessons Offered (In Person and Online)
Piano (All ages and levels)
Piano Pedagogy
Professional Performance Coaching
Chamber Music Coaching
Music Theory (All Royal Conservatory of Music Levels)
Music History (All Royal Conservatory of Music Levels)
Mock Examinations
Please contact Derek to learn more about his teaching studio, studio policies and to enquire about lessons.
"Derek has been my piano teacher for the past year and I can't believe how much my playing has improved. Derek has taught me so much, so quickly. With proper technique, I am playing far more difficult music with than I was a year ago. Derek gets down to business and really wants his students to succeed. Derek is a smart, creative and caring expert. He is the best piano teacher I could ever imagine and has really inspired me to do my best, apply myself and keep up my piano practice!" – Winston Kirk