Dr. Emily Zheng
Piano Instructor

Dr. Zheng maintains an active career as both a teacher and a pianist. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she is a dedicated music educator passionate about helping students reach their full potential. Dr. Zheng is committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and inspiring learning environment for every student.

In her piano teaching, Dr. Zheng tailors her approach to each student’s individual needs and learning style. She believes that learning the piano should be an enjoyable and creative journey—one that nurtures self-listening, imagination, and effective practice habits from the very beginning. Viewing music as a special language that evokes emotion and imagination, she encourages students to express their unique artistic voices through performance.

Dr. Zheng also emphasizes the development of well-rounded musicians by introducing music theory early and integrating technical training to establish a solid foundation. She has extensive experience teaching students of all ages and levels. Her students have received awards in numerous local competitions, including the PNW Piano Competition, the Russian Chamber Music Competition, PAPF, and SIPF Bach/Classical/Romantic Festivals, among others. Several of her students have also been prizewinners in international competitions, with some performing at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, many of her students have earned distinctions in ABRSM and RCM piano examinations and built strong portfolios for college applications under her guidance.

Dr. Zheng earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Washington and a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University, where she was awarded a full scholarship and served as a teaching assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education (Piano) from China. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in a research project titled “How Music Affects Early Childhood Development” and taught in local schools. Over the years, she has performed in cities across China, as well as in Chicago, Toledo, and Seattle, and has participated in various music festivals. Her principal teachers include Robin McCabe, Robert Satterlee, Logan Skelton, and Haewon Song.

Outside of teaching, Dr. Zheng enjoys spending time with her family, exploring different coffee spots, hiking, and traveling.