Emily Li
From First Notes to Masterpieces — Learn Piano the Right Way with Emily Li’s Structured, Proven Method!
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Emily Li
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
Emily - Your piano teacher
My name is Emily Li, and I am a dedicated piano teacher and online music tutor passionate about helping students discover both the joy of music and the discipline that turns practice into artistry. I have a thorough musical education, having studied at York University, Heritage Career College, and through online programs with renowned institutions such as Berklee College of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music. My growth as a musician has also been shaped by world-class piano teachers including Teresa Wang, Victor Tung, Dr. Josh Wright, Dr. Christina P. Quilico, Steve Koven, Professor Casey Sokol, and Wayne Zheng, whose influence has deepened my expertise in both performance and pedagogy. I am a multi-instrumentalist and experienced piano teacher, and I’ve also authored a piano book to make learning accessible, structured, and inspiring. My lessons balance strong foundations in technique (posture, fingering, tone, agility) with the broader skills that bring music to life—sight-reading, rhythm, ear training, improvisation, theory, and expressive playing. I adapt repertoire to each student’s goals, whether that means mastering classical works, exploring pop and film scores, or playing worship and contemporary music. Students and parents describe my teaching as encouraging, structured, and inspiring—helping beginners gain confidence, guiding adults back into music, and preparing advancing students for exams, auditions, and recitals. With me, you will learn not only how to play the piano but also how to express yourself fully through music. If you’re ready to take your piano playing to the next level, I would be honored to guide your journey. Let’s make music together!
Meet Emily
Emily graduated from York University


Your piano teacher skills
Chord Theory
Music theory
Piano Technique
Performance Skills
Ear training
Scales and Arpeggios
Rhythm and Timing
Sight Reading
Piano lessons at a glance
My Teaching Method As a piano teacher, my approach is traditional in style and highly structured, ensuring students build a solid foundation that supports long-term musical growth. I emphasize fundamentals first—proper posture, hand position, fingering, and reading skills—because I believe that strong technique is the key to unlocking freedom and expression at the keyboard. Each lesson is carefully planned and sequential, moving from simple exercises to more complex repertoire in a clear, step-by-step manner. I combine classical training with methodical practice strategies, drawing on proven exercises and graded repertoire to guide progress. Students learn to read music fluently, count rhythms accurately, and develop expressive touch. Structure is central to my method: I create tailored practice plans with measurable goals so learners always know what to work on and how to improve. At the same time, I balance discipline with encouragement, helping students develop not only technical skill but also a love for music. This traditional yet supportive approach ensures that my students progress with confidence, consistency, and artistry.
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Virtual Piano Apps
Ear Training Software
Piano Tuner Apps
Metronome Apps
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Player Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Types of learners for piano lessons
Home schooled
Piano for Kids
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Beginners
ASD
ADHD
Learning Disabilities
Anxiety or Stress Disorders
Piano for Adults

Piano concepts taught by Emily
The student practiced a piano piece and worked on note accuracy, while the tutor provided feedback and assigned specific pages from the Alfred book, D natural minor scales, chromatic scales, contrary motion and E natural minor scales for homework. The tutor also recommended an upgrade to a piano with dynamic capabilities for future progress.
Dynamics in Piano Playing
Piano Pedals
Importance of a Piano Bench
Note Reading and Rhythm Practice
Scale Practice: Natural Minor Scales
The Tutor guided the Student in refining their piano prelude performance, focusing on accuracy, tempo rubato, pedaling, and voicing. They practiced specific sections including the climax and ending, simplifying rhythms and improving hand positions. The Tutor assigned practice with a focus on dynamics and accurate notes, requesting a video recording of the improved performance and scheduling a follow-up check-in session.
Pedaling Techniques
Hand Stretching and Strengthening
Simplifying Rhythmic Complexity
Voicing
Tempo Rubato and Expressivo
Hand Positioning
The Student and Tutor worked on note reading, rhythm, and chord progressions. The student practiced songs like Jingle Bells, Brother John, and explored new concepts like the G7 chord and its inversions. Homework includes practicing the learned songs and exercises related to the G7 chord from the Alfred book.
Bass Clef and Treble Clef Distinction
Hand Position Changes and Finger Dexterity
Shared Stems: Playing Multiple Notes Simultaneously
Reading Rhythms and Time Signatures
Chords: C Major and G7th
Left Hand Harmony: Importance of the Bass Line
Note Reading and Finger Numbers
The student and tutor worked on learning to play "Jingle Bells" on the piano, practicing both right and left-hand parts and coordination. The session included exercises for improving note recognition, rhythm, and chord transitions. The student was assigned to practice "Jingle Bells" and warm-up exercises for the week, as well as learning "Brother John" for the next class.
Warm-up Exercises: Note Counting and Intervals
Number Notation
Combining Right and Left Hands
Left Hand Accompaniment: Harmonic Intervals
Right Hand Melody: Jingle Bells
The session focused on piano fundamentals, including warm-up exercises, note reading, rhythm, and hand coordination. The student learned new songs, practiced scales, and was introduced to the concepts of quarter, half, and whole notes. The student was assigned to practice fingering exercises and songs, particularly focusing on improving right-hand coordination.
Fingering
Hand Position and Posture
Grand Staff Playing (Two-Hand Coordination)
Rests
Intervals
Dynamics: Piano and Forte
Note Values: Quarter
Half
The Tutor assisted the Student in simplifying sheet music for a piano piece, focusing on chord progressions and omitting unnecessary notes to facilitate easier playing. The Student practiced playing the simplified version, coordinating both hands, and began learning to play by ear. The Student was assigned to practice 'Someone You Loved' and improve the tempo of 'Harlequin Quinn'.
Chord Omission for Simplification
Chord Progressions
Two-Hand Coordination
Learning by Ear
Simplifying Sheet Music
Interactive piano lessons
Pets are welcomed
Note taking
Open Q&A
Weekend lessons
Record lessons

Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
