Kyla Zhao

Piano (RCM Certificated Piano Teacher), Music Theory, Music Production, Composition Languages: English, Mandarin

4.7(1036)

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Kyla Zhao

Bachelors degree

/ 55 min

Kyla - Your piano 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 piano teacher skills

Piano Repertoire icon

Piano Repertoire

Pedaling Techniques icon

Pedaling Techniques

Performance Skills icon

Performance Skills

Finger Placement & Hand Position icon

Finger Placement & Hand Position

Music theory icon

Music theory

Chord Theory icon

Chord Theory

Piano Technique icon

Piano Technique

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Sight Reading

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AI modules

Summary

Podcast

Quiz

Learnings

Flashcard

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Types of learners for piano lessons

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Piano for kids

Piano for intermediate icon

Piano for intermediate

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Piano for adults

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Piano for beginners

Different types of piano lessons

Piano

Piano

Grand Piano

Grand Piano

Player Piano

Player Piano

Digital Piano

Digital Piano

Classical Piano

Classical Piano

Electric Keyboard

Electric Keyboard

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Piano concepts taught by Kyla

Student learned 8 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

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Student learned 15 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

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Student learned 22 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

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Student learned 29 days 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

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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.

Advanced Chord Progressions: 2-5-1-6

Legato

Dynamics & Retardando

A Minor Scales (Natural

Harmonic

Melodic)

Pre-Practice Warm-ups & Hand Position

A Minor Triads & Cadences

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Student learned about 1 month ago

The Student and Tutor practiced piano techniques, focusing on rhythm, chord progressions, and two-hand coordination. They introduced and worked on various minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic) and engaged in ear training for triads, seventh chords, and intervals. Homework was assigned to continue practicing E flat major and A flat major 2-5-1 progressions, left-hand bass lines, all three forms of A minor scales, and note reading for a new piece.

Minor Scales: Natural

Harmonic

and Melodic Forms

Solfege and Interval Identification

Chord Identification & Ear Training (Triads and 7ths)

Left-Hand Accompaniment: Developing Bass Lines

2-5-1 Chord Progressions & Rhythmic Precision

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Approach & tools used in piano classes

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Piano Tuner Apps

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Looping Software

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Ear Training Software

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PDF Sheet Music Libraries

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DAWs

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