Ms Magdalene Chua

My interest in piano began with my mother, who is a piano teacher. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by music as she frequently taught lessons at home. At just 2 years old, I became fascinated by the piano and would eagerly explore the instrument on my own. By the age of three, my mother began teaching me simple children’s songs such as Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb, which marked the beginning of my musical journey.

Over the years, piano has become much more than just an instrument to me. It has allowed me to connect deeply with my emotions and express stories and feelings that words often cannot fully capture. Watching my mother teach and guide her students also inspired me to pursue teaching myself. I genuinely enjoy working with children and find great fulfillment in helping them grow through music.

In terms of my teaching approach, I believe in balancing interest-led learning with strong technical foundations. Earlier on my teaching journey, I focused heavily on exam-oriented teaching and technical work, but I realised that this could sometimes reduce a student’s enjoyment and motivation. Since then, I have shifted towards nurturing each child’s interests and curiosity first, while still maintaining discipline in technique and musical fundamentals. To me, music should be both enjoyable and meaningful, and I hope to help students develop not only solid skills, but also a genuine love for music.

I bring out the best in students who are open to exploring music beyond just notes and technique. I especially enjoy teaching beginners and intermediate students who are developing their musical understanding and confidence, as well as students preparing for performances, festivals or exams who want to deepen their musical expression.

I also work well with students who may need encouragement and reassurance, as I value creating a supportive and positive environment where students feel comfortable learning and growing. As a teacher, I enjoy helping students connect emotionally with music, build musicality, and develop their own artistic voice rather than focusing purely on technical perfection.