Sarah Hsin Yu Chang's Violin Studio

Hello there! My name is Sarah Hsin Yu Chang. I am a registered RCM teacher and a member of the BCRMTA (BC Registered Music Teachers' Association). I am born in Taiwan and immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia with my family when I was 10 years old. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, I am a patient and passionate violin teacher who loves working with children. I have been teaching violin students of all ages for 13+ years now. My area of expertise has always been teaching, introducing the violin to students, helping them develop/explore their love for music while having fun. I hold a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, under the tuitilage of Professor Walter Schwede. I have also studied in the extension diploma program at Mannes School of Music in Manhattan, New York, with Professor Sally Thomas (Juilliard faculty, pupil of the violin pedagogue Ivan Galamian, and teacher of the violinist James Ehnes). My teachers also include Dun Hua Hsiao, Esther Boisvard, Marc Destrubé, Hok-Tse Wong and Professor Wai Mitzutani, Juilliard alumni and Faculty of the Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell Montana, who inspired me to go into music in the first place and my mentor throughout my entire musical journey.

I teach both online and in-person lessons using different teaching methods (ex. RCM, Strictly Strings, Suzuki) to adjust to every students’ needs as everyone has a different learning style and understands things differently. I teach according to what the student wants and needs, both for hobby and for exams/competitions as well. I’ve helped and prepped students get into the Byng Arts program, Orchestras (RDYO junior/senior/symphony divisions, VAM Junior Symphony and VYSO), won scholarship competitions, received gold at Kiwanis festivals, and won gold at BCCM competitions. I’ve also helped many students accomplish their RCM exams with First Class honours, First Class Honors with Distiction as well as receiving the RCM Regional Gold Medal. I do not push my students to do exams or competitions unless they show their dedication and want to do it themselves. My goal is to become more involved with each student’s musical growth through teaching, learning and having fun together with them.

How a typical lesson would look like with me:

In our lesson, first we will make sure if the student have all the necessary accessories and equipments for the lesson (ex. Shoulder rest, rosin, cleaning cloth, and we will measure if the sizing of the violin is suitable for the student). Then, depending on the student’s level, it will consist of an introduction to the instrument, find the good sounding points/ correct posture to hold and play the instrument, master the basic techniques and learn how to express different musical ideas through the violin to perfect the piece of music that the student is working on. In my opinion, the most important part of teaching is to inspire students to develop their love for music/violin while having an enjoyable learning experience. 

Students are encouraged to attend a year-end recital that is held in December every year, to celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends, also to get to know more fellow music friends. And of course there will be refreshments and goodie bags at the end!