Mana A. ✓

A recent graduate of the University of Southern California, Mana has a wide range of experience working with piano students of all ages and levels. As a multi-instrumentalist, she is an active member of Los Angeles based Ensemble flame, and has played in numerous performances around Southern California. Mana also plays in a duo along with her husband and they were featured at the Gray Stone Mansion after winning the 2023 Beverly Hills National Auditions. Mana obtained her bachelor’s from the University of Illinois and a master’s in harp performance from the University of Southern California where she further completed a graduate certificate degree in early music performance. She is currently a piano instructor at the Los Angeles Music and Art School.

My teaching approach: What is important to me as a teacher is for all my students to have a strong fundamental technique that they can use for any style of music they are interested in. Furthermore, it is essential for musicians to learn healthy habits of playing (correct hand position, relaxed fingers, etc.) to avoid potential physical injuries. This is why each lesson will begin with a simple and personalized warm-up that targets the technical aspects that can be improved. I also strongly encourage my students to choose the songs they want to learn so they can work towards what they are actually passionate about. So during the second part of the lesson, we focus on the solo repertoire, working on breaking down sections and learning ways to practice and learn the piece.