Emily Li

From First Notes to Masterpieces — Learn Piano the Right Way with Emily Li’s Structured, Proven Method!

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Profile photo of Emily, Piano tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Emily, Piano tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Emily, Piano tutor at Wiingy

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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

Emily graduated from York University
Emily graduated from York University

Your piano teacher skills

Sight Reading icon

Sight Reading

Music theory icon

Music theory

Piano Repertoire icon

Piano Repertoire

Scales and Arpeggios icon

Scales and Arpeggios

Piano Technique icon

Piano Technique

Pedaling Techniques icon

Pedaling Techniques

Chord Theory icon

Chord Theory

Rhythm and Timing icon

Rhythm and Timing

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AI modules

Summary

Podcast

Quiz

Learnings

Flashcard

Spotlight

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1-yr validity

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Types of learners for piano lessons

Piano for Intermediate icon

Piano for Intermediate

Piano for Beginners icon

Piano for Beginners

Learning Disabilities icon

Learning Disabilities

ADHD icon

ADHD

ASD icon

ASD

Piano for Adults icon

Piano for Adults

Home schooled icon

Home schooled

Anxiety or Stress Disorders icon

Anxiety or Stress Disorders

Piano for Kids icon

Piano for Kids

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.

Different types of piano lessons

Piano

Piano

Grand Piano

Grand Piano

Player Piano

Player Piano

Digital Piano

Digital Piano

Upright Piano

Upright Piano

Classical Piano

Classical Piano

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Piano concepts taught by Emily

Student learned 5 days ago

The Student and Tutor practiced piano pieces, including "Merrily We Roll Along," "Mary Ann," and "Rockets," focusing on chords, tempo, dynamics, and two-hand coordination. They also began working on "What Can I Share" to develop voicing techniques. Homework assignments include practicing chords and theory exercises. The Tutor plans to introduce foundational ear training theory next week, dedicating 20 minutes of future sessions to in-class practice.

Tempo vs. Note Duration

New Chord Introduction: F Major & Hand Exercises

Interval Theory: Foundation for Ear Training

Understanding Three-Four Time (Waltz Beat)

Arpeggios (Broken Chords)

Two-Hand Coordination and Voicing

Effective Practice Strategy: Notes First

Speed Last

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Student learned 12 days ago

The Student and Tutor practiced piano pieces including "Jingle Bells," "Brother John," "Here's a Happy Song," "Rolling Along," and "Largo," focusing on tempo, chord exercises, new note recognition, and expressive techniques. They also covered music theory, introducing the G7 chord and Alberti bass, and conducted ear training for various intervals. Homework involves theory pages 31 and 35, continued ear training, and a discussion about future piano equipment upgrades.

Rhythm and Slurs for Expressive Playing

Chord Exercises: Hand Control & Clarity

Integrating Chords into Repertoire

Introduction to G7 Chord & Pinky Stretch

Alberti Bass (Broken Chords)

Ear Training: Interval Recognition

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Student learned 26 days ago

Student and Tutor focused on piano instruction, beginning with a review of theory homework and a warm-up piece. The main activity involved learning and practicing "Jingle Bells" with both hands, broken down into left-hand chords, right-hand melody, and coordinated play. Homework includes mastering "Jingle Bells," practicing ear training for intervals and chords, and optionally completing theory exercises, with a fun anime song introduced for additional practice.

Two-Hand Piano Coordination

Embracing Mistakes for Faster Learning

Introduction to Sharps (Accidentals)

Interpreting Chord Changes in Accompaniment

Developing Muscle Memory through Eyes-Closed Practice

Systematic Sectional Practice

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Student learned about 1 month ago

The Tutor and Student worked on developing piano skills, focusing on rhythm, musical intervals (melodic and harmonic), dynamics, and ear training. They practiced several musical pieces and reviewed theoretical concepts, with assignments to reinforce note reading and interval identification.

Rhythm and Counting Beats

Melodic vs. Harmonic Intervals

Dynamics: Piano (p) and Mezzo Forte (mf)

Understanding Musical Range

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Student learned about 2 months ago

The Tutor and Student worked on fundamental music theory, specifically focusing on drawing and identifying bass and treble clefs, constructing the grand staff, and placing notes (middle C, space notes, and line notes) on the musical staff. They then practiced playing these notes on the piano keyboard and introduced the concept of flats, followed by learning a song from "Howl's Moving Castle."

The Bass Clef

The Grand Staff

Note Placement and Identification

Introducing the Flat Symbol (♭)

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Student learned about 2 months ago

The tutor and student worked on fundamental music theory, focusing on drawing the treble clef and various notes on a musical staff. They practiced stem placement and discussed note reading and articulation, culminating in a demonstration of how to play the introduction to an anime song.

Ledger Lines

Note Duration and Values

The Staff and Clefs

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Approach & tools used in piano classes

Chord & Scale Reference Apps image

Chord & Scale Reference Apps

DAWs image

DAWs

Metronome Apps image

Metronome Apps

Piano Tuner Apps image

Piano Tuner Apps

Virtual Piano Apps image

Virtual Piano Apps

Interactive piano lessons

Parent feedback icon

Parent feedback

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Chat for quick help

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Mobile joining

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Record lessons

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Weekend lessons

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