Katy Luo, piano D.M.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook M.M., State University of New York at Stony Brook B.M., Oberlin Conservatory of Music “I believe the purpose of a teacher is to foster the intimate connection between every student and the music he or she is working on.” Past concerts with interview A4TY: Student New Music Project “I believe the purpose of a teacher is to foster the intimate connection between every student and the music he or she is working on” says pianist Katy Luo of her teaching philosophy. Katy’s dedication to teaching is an outgrowth of her own love for music. She began piano lessons at age 9 in Taiwan and continued her lessons in the United Sates when her family relocated to Berkeley, California. Later her studies took her to New York City where she is now a Resident Teaching Artist at Bloomingdale. Katy encourages her students to reach a point where “the act of music-making ultimately becomes an exciting, meaningful, and satisfying experience the student can claim for a lifetime.” She works with students of all ages, beginning as young as 4 years old. “Patience and openness are crucial in the beginning. I take my time in getting to know the learning styles of each child, no matter how long it takes. I also challenge my students constantly, but never without giving them all the tools necessary for overcoming whatever challenges I present to them.” An innovative performer, Katy’s past performances at Bloomingdale have included concerts programmed around the idea of traditions beginning and ending and examining works where composers “remake the past” by basing their works on pre-existing compositions. Katy’s favorite classical composers include Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Ravel, Bartók, and Schnittke, among others. She also counts Stevie Wonder as one of her major musical influences. Katy’s favorite Bloomingdale memories include “when one of my retired adult students revealed how proud she was that at her age should could learn to read music and when a 5 year old student brought in a list of Beatles tunes he wanted to learn on the piano!” Katy’s non-musical passions include watching documentary films, gardening, seeing IMAX films at the Museum of Natural History, and the outdoors.