Kyla Zhao

Music Production, Piano, Music Theory, Recording, Mixing, Composition, Songwriting

4.7(1036)

FREE TRIAL

Profile photo of Kyla, Music tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Kyla, Music tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Kyla, Music tutor at Wiingy
Verified degree or teaching certification of Kyla

Show all photos

tutor-image
tutor-image

Kyla Zhao

Bachelors degree

/ 55 min

About your music teacher

Kyla Zhao is a musician, producer, and RCM-certified teacher with over 10 years of experience in piano and music production. She began learning piano at age four and earned the CMA Level 10 Piano Certificate with Distinction at 13, equivalent to RCM Level 10. She holds degrees in Composition and Music Production from Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Recording Arts from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Music Technology from the University of Toronto. Kyla has worked on China’s music talent show Sing My Song, coordinated live recordings at Shanghai Concert Hall, and collaborated with R&B and Chinese pop artists. Her work also includes writing and producing for Treehouse TV. In 2022, she served as a JUNO Awards judge for Jack Richardson Producer of the Year and became a mentor with SOCAN Foundation’s Equity x Production program. Since 2021, she has mentored youth at Covenant House Toronto. Kyla’s teaching integrates technique, theory, creativity, and musical expression, helping students develop independent musicianship and build portfolios for university applications. Her students have gained admission to Berklee College of Music and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. She believes music should inspire joy, identity, and lifelong self-expression, encouraging every student to explore their own musical path without unnecessary pressure.

Kyla graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music

Kyla graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music

Your music teacher expertise

Jazz icon

Jazz

Pop icon

Pop

Electronic icon

Electronic

Classical icon

Classical

R&B icon

R&B

CoTutorCoTutor

AI modules

Summary

Podcast

Quiz

Learnings

Flashcard

Spotlight

Zero Risk Guaranteed

15-days refund

Free tutor swap

No cancel fee

1-yr validity

24/7 support

Learner types for music lessons

Music for adults icon

Music for adults

Music for intermediate icon

Music for intermediate

Music for beginners icon

Music for beginners

Music for advanced icon

Music for advanced

Music for kids icon

Music for kids

Types of music lessons

Music Production

Music Production

Music Composition

Music Composition

Sight-Reading

Sight-Reading

Digital Audio Workstation

Digital Audio Workstation

Music Mixing

Music Mixing

Electronic Music

Electronic Music

Icons

Music concepts taught by Kyla

Student learned 5 days ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed G major and E minor scales, including natural, harmonic, and melodic forms, along with E minor triads. They analyzed specific chord voicings and discussed adding expressive elements to the jazz piece "Out of Nowhere." The session concluded with an introduction to guide tone and tension voicings in various keys, with homework assigned for both piano practice and mental exercises for when the Student is away from the instrument.

G Major and E Minor Scales

Off-Keyboard Practice Techniques

"Out of Nowhere" - Voicing Refinements & Improvisation

Jazz Chord Tensions

Jazz Guide Tone Voicings

E Minor Triads and Cadences

Show more

Student learned 12 days ago

The Student and Tutor focused on piano technique, practicing new finger warm-ups, A minor and C minor scales, and A minor triads and cadences. The Tutor introduced G major scales and chords, explained diatonic chord structures in C major and G major, and demonstrated the Circle of Fifths for understanding key signatures. The session also covered sight-reading and performance aspects of "Roman Trumpets" and "Anaquina," along with detailed guidance on chord voicing for a specific song. For homework, the Student will practice G major scales and chords with solfège, continue working on a new Piano Adventures piece, and will receive a reference recording for "Anaquina."

Finger Independence and Strength Warm-up

Solfège Singing for Chord Recognition

Diatonic Chord Progressions (Major Keys)

Circle of Fifths for Key Signatures

Understanding 7th Chords and Voicing

Interpreting Musical Markings and Structure

Show more

Student learned 19 days ago

Student and Tutor continued their piano lesson, reviewing 2-5-1-6 chord progressions and introducing guide tone voicing for chords. They then applied these new voicing techniques and learned about triplets in rhythm while starting work on a new jazz song. Homework was assigned to practice the new song, focusing on chord voicings and rhythmic elements, and to continue ear training with various seventh chords.

Guide Tones in Jazz Chords

Efficient Chord Voicing with Guide Tones

Triplet Rhythms: Quarter Note Triplet

Jazz Song Structure: Endings and Repeats

Recognizing Chord Qualities by Ear

Introduction to the G6 Chord

Show more

Student learned 26 days ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed 2-5-1-6 chord progressions, focusing on adding 6th chords and first inversions for smoother transitions. They practiced note reading in both clefs, worked on piano pieces from the Piano Adventures book, and incorporated specific techniques like dynamic control and wrist movement for rests. The session also included ear training for various triads and 7th chords, rhythm exercises, and introductory melody playback with sight-singing. For homework, the Student will practice assigned pieces with singing, A minor scales, and chords, in preparation for new voicing techniques.

2-5-1-6 Chord Progression Practice

Sight-Reading: Treble & Bass Clef

Dynamic Control & Arm Weight

Quarter Rests & Pauses (Lift Technique)

Triad & Seventh Chord Ear Training

Melody Playback & Solfege Singback

Show more

Student learned about 1 month ago

The Student and Tutor worked on improving piano technique, focusing on scales and chord progressions, specifically C major and A minor scales, and A minor chords and 2-5-1-6 progressions. They also practiced several pieces from the Piano Adventures book, addressing issues with rhythm, dynamics, and hand coordination, while also introducing octave signs and site-reading strategies. For homework, the Student was assigned Piano Adventures page 44 and to continue practicing 2-5-1-6 chord progressions in additional keys.

Scales: Two-Hand Coordination & Fingerings

Chord Cadences: Finger Patterns & Hand Shapes

Accelerated Muscle Memory Practice Techniques

Rhythmic Precision & Consistent Counting

Octave Signs & Smooth Wrist-Led Transitions

2-5-1-6 Jazz Chord Progression Basics

Show more

Student learned about 1 month ago

The Tutor and Student focused on piano technique, reviewing A minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic) and A minor triads, including the introduction of V-i cadences. They practiced pieces from the Piano Adventure book, learning about dynamics, rhythm, pedal usage, legato, and new notes, while also developing a new left-hand rhythm tapping exercise. Additionally, they reviewed 2-5-1 chord progressions, added a 6th chord to create 2-5-1-6 sequences, and discussed left-hand variations. The Student received homework to practice these scales, pieces, and chord progressions, with a duet accompaniment recording to be sent later.

Pre-Practice Warm-ups & Hand Position

A Minor Scales (Natural

Harmonic

Melodic)

A Minor Triads & Cadences

Legato

Dynamics & Retardando

Advanced Chord Progressions: 2-5-1-6

Show more

Teaching tools used in music classes

Looping Software image

Looping Software

Metronome spps image

Metronome spps

Ear Training Software image

Ear Training Software

Recording Apps image

Recording Apps

tutorFooter

Music teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality

Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.