About Cynthia
“I wanted my students to depart from our time together with a greater understanding of themselves through the study of music - their likes and dislikes, awareness of musicianship, tastes as consumers of music, and enhanced understanding of their place in the world” (Sweet, pg 27)
Cynthia Chou—born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan—is a pianist, vocalist, performer, and educator. She began piano at the age of 5, cello at 10, and by 11 was actively performing in choirs and orchestras. At just 15, she was awarded 1st Place in Classical Piano at the Prague National Music Tournament in Taiwan (2010). Since then, she has performed in concerts across the globe, including Taiwan, Italy, and the United States, experiences that continue to shape her artistry and passion for cross-cultural exchange.
With over 14 years of experience singing in choirs, performing in musicals both onstage and in pit orchestras, and an extensive background in piano performance and accompanying, Cynthia brings a versatile perspective to her teaching. Since 2015, she has been dedicated to music education, directing choirs and teaching both piano and voice. She currently runs her own private studio serving the Hudson Waterfront communities of northern New Jersey—including Englewood, Tenafly, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Edgewater, and beyond—while also offering online lessons through Zoom.
Cynthia holds a B.A. in Western Art Music from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.M. in Music Education from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. She had the privilege of studying piano with Dr. Betty Woo, Dr. Charles Asche, and Dr. Natasha Kislenko, and voice with Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian and Kurt Hansen, all of whom deeply influenced her musicianship and pedagogical philosophy. Growing up within Taiwan’s vibrant and diverse music scene, she cultivated a lifelong passion for classical music that continues to inform her teaching and performance.
Cynthia believes that the purpose of music education is to instill a love of music by teaching fundamental skills, fostering meaningful connections, and encouraging collaboration. She inspires students to use their musicianship as a foundation for artistic exploration, empowering them to innovate and create beyond tradition. As her students grow, she seeks to guide them in reimagining and transforming their knowledge into new expressions of music, while also nurturing them as global citizens who influence and are enriched by their diverse communities.