“Music is a secret world for everyone. It is communication without words, allowing one to express emotions, personality, and views of the world without limitation.”
I am passionate about the transformative power of music. Whether you are just beginning your musical journey or seeking to enhance your skills, my goal is to inspire you and help you achieve your full potential in music. Discover the joy of playing the piano and share your creativity with the world.
Ms. Zihan is an accomplished pianist and dedicated educator with extensive training in classical piano. She began her musical journey in China at the age of seven, studying under professors from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. By twelve, she had achieved Level 10 in the Grade Examination of Musical Performance, and at seventeen, she earned the prestigious Second-Class Grade A award in the Tsinghua University and Peking University National Art Grade Test.
She pursued her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where she studied under world-renowned Irish pianist Peter Mack. She later obtained her Master of Music in Piano Performance from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, training under distinguished pianist Veda Zuponcic. During her time at Rowan, she held an assistantship and contributed to undergraduate piano courses under pianist Alexander Timofeev.
Ms. Zihan has participated in numerous prestigious music festivals, including the Cap Ferret Music Festival, where she was awarded “Troisième Accessit” in 2022. She also attended the Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota in 2020 and 2021, performing Scriabin’s Etude Op. 42, No. 1 in Edisher Savitski’s masterclass. Her chamber music repertoire includes Beethoven’s trio and Prokofiev’s sonata for cello and piano, performed in the Young Artist Recital. Additionally, she collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra’s Principal Oboist on Poulenc’s Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano.
Her performance experience extends to solo recitals, notably in Raisbeck Performance Hall in Seattle (May 2022) and Boyd Recital Hall in Glassboro, NJ (Winter 2024), where she presented a demanding program featuring Liszt’s Rigoletto Paraphrase and Prokofiev’s Second Piano Sonata. She has served as an accompanist for the studios of Noa Even, a versatile saxophonist, and Lourin Plant, a distinguished vocalist with experience in the Opera Company of Philadelphia, New York City Opera, and Philadelphia Classical Symphony. Additionally, she worked as a church pianist at South Vineland United Methodist Church (March–May 2023) and taught at New Jersey Main Street Music School during the Spring 2023 semester.
Beyond performance, Ms. Zihan is passionate about teaching and has maintained a private piano studio in Seattle for six years, instructing students of all ages and skill levels. She hosted a livestream student recital via YouTube at Resonance Events in Bellevue, WA, and her students have excelled in competitions such as the Pacific NW Piano Competition, PAFE Festival, Seattle Sonafest, and Seattle Youth Music Festival, earning silver, bronze, and honorable mention awards. She is an active member of the Seattle Music Teachers Association (SMTA), Washington State Music Association, and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She also worked annually as a monitor for judges at the MTNA competition in South New Jersey (2022–2024).
My teaching philosophy centers on the belief that education, particularly in music, serves to cultivate creativity, enhance intellectual growth, and foster a deep appreciation for the arts. I aim to teach students how to play the piano while exposing them to the rich world of classical music. I recognize that each student is unique, and I tailor my approach to their individual ages, abilities, and aspirations. My teaching methods are relaxed yet goal-oriented, allowing me to support students in achieving their personal objectives, whether for competition, academic success, or personal enrichment. I focus on gradual improvement through continuous, small steps, fostering a lifelong love of music by selecting repertoires that resonate with students’ interests. By encouraging collaboration and exposing students to various musical styles and cultures, I aim to create an inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity and promotes artistic expression. My commitment to professional growth through participation in music festivals, master classes, and local music associations ensures that I remain a knowledgeable and inspiring educator. Ultimately, I want to instill in my students a strong sense of creativity and a refined taste for classical music, empowering them to communicate through music and potentially pursue lifelong performance careers.
“Ms. Zihan has been teaching both of my children since they were four years old. She has extensive experience guiding students from the beginner level to more advanced stages. Her empathetic and observant approach allows her to recognize each student’s unique challenges, and she thoughtfully designs personalized curriculums tailored to their individual needs and family goals. She provides practical, actionable suggestions that help students improve their musical knowledge and skills. Beyond teaching technique, Ms. Zihan has instilled in our entire family a deeper appreciation for music. She inspires our children to recognize their talents and strengths, fostering their confidence and passion. With a wealth of international stage performance experience, Ms. Zihan expertly prepares her students for recitals, competitions, and other performance opportunities, helping them gain valuable experience and build confidence as young musicians. She forms strong connections with families, and through this bond, children develop a true love for music. For families looking to nurture their children’s passion for music and enrich their life journey through it, Ms. Zihan is an exceptional teacher.” -EW’s parent
“Zihan is a unique teacher who activates personal learning styles and sets up little kids for rewards of life-long music learning and appreciation. My son started piano lessons three years ago when he was 4.5 years old. He is an extremely active kid who won’t sit and engage unless he is interested in the activity. Zihan quickly figured out that my son is an auditory learner. She used individual teaching methods and music pieces for my son. My son, who was deemed not ready by other piano teachers, thrived with Zihan.” -Yuan
“As an adult I hadn’t had piano lessons since I was a teenager 20+ years ago. Zihan helped me get back into playing piano regularly and significantly improved my proficiency. This in turn helped me guide my 8 year old in his piano practice. She does an awesome job tailoring her lessons to my skill and interests while at the same time pushing me to play more complex pieces. As a grown up I especially enjoy when our lessons evolve into music theory discussions, something I now realize I missed in my lessons back as a teenager.” -Jeffrey
“Zihan is an amazing piano teacher – talented , patient. She sets high standards for technique and performance, helping my child reach her potential and improve. My child made great progress and gained confidence playing difficult songs. My child looks forward to every lesson and loves playing the piano. Thanks to Zihan, my child found a love for music that will last a lifetime.” -Erica and Emily’s mom
“Zihan has completely transformed my daughter Stephanie’s piano journey over the past three years. Before learning from her, Stephanie struggled to focus, but Zihan’s teaching changed everything. Her attention to detail and ability to bring music to life have made a huge impact, helping Stephanie not just play notes but truly express the emotions behind the music. Zihan’s patience and encouragement have also taught Stephanie resilience, allowing her to embrace mistakes, grow from them, and build confidence as both a pianist and a person. We are so grateful for Zihan’s dedication and passion, which have deepened Stephanie’s love for piano and shaped her character in lasting ways.” -Stephanie and Rondo’s mom
“Zihan’s teaching is very attentive and she takes into account the student’s situation and level. I started learning from scratch, and I have tried different teaching styles, but I didn’t see much progress. Zihan teaches me according to my ability, so my progress was surprisingly great during my lessons with Zihan. I was surprised by the progress I made during her lessons. She is very patient and rhythmic during the lessons, and she also helps me to practice the piano after the lessons.” -Annie
Bellevue, WA and Greater Seattle Area
email: zihanluo66+piano@gmail.com
call/text: (425)-610-6646
WeChat ID: maidouzihan
Instagram: maidouzihan
