GET TO KNOW OUR TEACHERS
Jocelyn Wei
Cello/ Piano
Degrees:
Master in Music Performance-Cello , Essen Folkwang Hochschule (Germany, 2003)
Performance 1998-2014:
Solo, chamber and concerto performances in Taiwan 2006-2012
Solo recital toured throughout seven cities in Europe, 2010 August.
1998-2003 Performed in chamber with world renowned cellist Rudolf Weinsheimer from Berlin Phiharmonie. Worked with internationally acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis, Ralph Kirschbaum, Wen-Sinn Yang and Prof. Alexander Hülshoff.
Employment 2004- 2012:
2005-2012, appointed as the instrumental specialist for individual cello lessons at Stella Martutina Girl’s High School, Taichung Taiwan.
Minshen Elementary School, Changhua Taiwan
Anita Kuo
Violin
As someone who grew up in the Bay Area, Anita is thrilled to be returning to teach at First Movement Music Academy! She is currently completing the last year of her Master of Music in Violin Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she currently studies with Joseph Maile. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance under the tutelage of Herbert Greenberg, who was the former concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. While in Baltimore, she also took advantage of the world-renowned medical labs at Johns Hopkins and shadowed multiple researchers on their studies on the effects of Music Therapy on the brain in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. She plans to dedicate more time to her curiosity on the correlation between science and music in the next few years! But before all that, she began her humble musical journey as a passionate student who also played the piano and the flute!
Anita began teaching young violinists during high school and has grown to love teaching younger children to help them develop lifelong skills in music proficiency! What began as a high school job became a pedagogical passion she brought to Baltimore during her undergraduate studies, and back to the Bay Area for her graduate degree. Outside of musical devotions, diversifying her plant collection is a high-priority -
Anita is always on the lookout for new plant species! She also likes trying new things - pottery wheel-throwing just might be her new favorite activity! While on the go, graphic animation is her go-to activity to help time pass on the plane!
Lavinia Chen
Violin/ Chamber
Lavinia Chen performs violin for the San Francisco Symphony, presenting music educational shows to all the public elementary schools across San Francisco daily. Lavinia earned her Master’s degree in violin performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music after graduating from UCLA with a full scholarship. Over the past decade, Lavinia has actively prepared her students for AMRSM exams, competitions, recitals, and college auditions. Playing violin to Lavinia is like telling an exciting story, and her musical talents have been celebrated on stages across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Recognized for her cheerful spirit and mature teaching style, Lavinia has become many students’ favorite teacher.
Lavinia speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Education
Master of Violin Performance, San Francisco Conservatory of music
Maureen Subala
PIANO I VOCAL I VIOLIN I DRUM
Ms. Maureen is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began at the age of 6 with the piano. She has since mastered the electronic organ, drums, and violin. In 1998, she earned the title of Recital Champion in Piano, Organ, and Drums Intermediate categories, showcasing her exceptional talent.
From 2000 to 2008, Ms. Maureen served as a violinist in the Musar Music School Orchestra. She has made significant contributions to the musical community by teaching at Musar Yamaha Music School, producing champion students. Notably, she was the former keyboardist of the band Carpe Diem, winning the title of Baguio Battle of the Bands champion.
In addition to her instrumental skills, Ms. Maureen actively participates in the Iglesia ni Cristo, contributing as a choir member and organist. Balancing her musical pursuits, she is also an Electronics and Communications Engineer with a unique fusion of technical expertise and artistic passion, particularly in cake decorating. Originally from a family of musicians in Baguio City, Philippines, Ms. Maureen spent time in Taiwan before relocating to the United States.
Sue Yang
Sue Yang is the founder of FMMA, and is herself a musician, music educator, curriculum developer, and a parent. After 20 years of teaching, she has established a creative and unique bilingual music program that utilizes art, sensory play and eurhythmics to immerse children in the fundamental of music without resorting to the formal rigidity of the traditional music lesson.
Before FMMA was founded, she was the bilingual music teacher and curriculum developer at International school of the Peninsula (Palo Alto), where she taught students ranging from nursery school toddlers fifth grade students. She has also led children’s choir, keyboard, and violin classes at the Redwood city school district after school program, and has been teaching private music lessons at her home based studio and at other music schools around the Bay Area.
Prior to her relocation to the US, she gained her unique teaching style and extensive leadership experience from the Taiwan national branch of the the YAMAHA music education system where she served as the master vocal teacher (coaching teachers from all local branches), music course recording artist, as well as national branch performer and instructor.
Her musical talent was shown from early childhood. She had her first violin performance at the Tokyo Dome at the age of 9. She was also a signed Recording Artist with Rock Records of Taiwan. In 1997, she had the privilege of being chosen as the Featured Performer at Gianni Versace's 1997 line debut gala in Sydney & Brisbane, Australia. She won First Place at The Treasury Casino Voice Competition, an event jointly planned by the Australian Central Government - all while getting her bachelor of music degree in Australia.
She had also been chosen as the featured performer at numerous business world conference for associations such as the Rotary Club, the Lions, and the Wolrd Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce.
In her spare time, she produces live events and private concerts for corporate clients. She has produced events and concerts for Acer Inc. and Asus Inc. for their respective year-end celebrations.
