Lessons On Piano — And For Life
Joyce Shih conducts a piano lesson with student Harvey Wang | Photo from Joyce Shih
Joyce Shih, owner of Joyce Shih Piano Studio, has been brightening the lives of keiki and adults alike through the beauty of music since 1964. She currently conducts private piano lessons in her Hawaii Kai home and centers her life around her love of music.
“I want to educate students so that they can enjoy and have a lifelong appreciation of music. I love music and I want to share that with my students of all ages (age 5 and up),” says Shih, who was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and decided to make Hawaii her home almost 50 years ago. “I give private piano instruction so students can learn to enjoy playing piano, develop self-discipline, concentration, coordination and courage.”
Studies have shown that there is a profound link between music and academic achievement. In fact, Shih says that one particular study confirmed that children who received piano/keyboard training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability.
“My students, past and present, have accomplished so much,” she says, adding that her former students have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, musicians, accountants, teachers, architects, engineers, journalists and more, in addition to being named winners of Hawaii Music Teachers Association annual convention competition and Morning Music Club of Honolulu annual scholarship competition.
According to Shih, taking part in piano lessons is one outlet that allows people to excel in other aspects in life.
“I am rewarded by my students’ progress in piano, and several of my students have majored in piano performance and music at UH Manoa, so they can continue what I have taught them,” Shih explains.
There are no boundaries when it comes to music, as it is a universal language. Shih is trilingual and speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese and English. She received her degree from National Taiwan University of Arts in music and deems it important to provide her students with the best opportunities possible.
“My students perform at retirement homes, studio recitals and community recitals that are part of Honolulu Piano Teachers Association and Hawaii Music Teachers Association,” she says. “They also are able to compete in annual piano competitions, and I encourage them to attend live piano performances.”
For Shih, sharing her passion for music with others makes her entrepreneurial adventure the best composition of all.
“I will continue to teach because it is what I love to do,” she says.
For more information on Joyce Shih Piano Studio, visit joyceshihpianostudio.com.
