Get to know our instructors
Maureen Kae Atractivo-Subala
PIANO | VIOLIN | VOCAL | DRUM
Ms. Maureen is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist who began her musical journey at age 6 with piano and later mastered the electronic organ, drums, and violin. In 1998, she earned Recital Champion titles in Piano, Organ, and Drums Intermediate categories. From 2000 to 2008, she performed as a violinist in the Musar Music School Orchestra and has taught at Musar Yamaha Music School, producing champion students. She was also the keyboardist for the band Carpe Diem, winning the Baguio Battle of the Bands.
An active member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, Ms. Maureen serves as a choir member and organist. She balances her musical career with a profession as an Electronics and Communications Engineer and a passion for cake decorating. Originally from a musical family in Baguio City, Philippines, she spent time in Taiwan before relocating to the United States.
Sue Yang
PIANO | VOCAL | VIOLIN
Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Australia
Sue Yang, a virtuoso with a strong classical piano background, embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 4. By the age of 9, she seamlessly added the violin to her repertoire, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in music.
Her prodigious talent shone brightly as she graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Australia with a Bachelor of Music at the young age of 18. Sue's exceptional abilities were further acknowledged when she clinched first place in the Australian National Singing Competition, propelling her into the limelight as a signed artist with Rock Records.
Under the tutelage of the iconic John Denver in Hollywood, Sue's singing career flourished. Her prowess extended beyond performance as she assumed roles as the Education System CD vocalist and head voice training instructor at the YAMAHA Music Education System in Taiwan. Simultaneously, Sue showcased her versatility as a demo vocalist and featured singer in the theme song of the online game "Star Dream 3 / 明星志願3"
Having spent a decade in performance, event production, and teaching, Sue made Sunnyvale, California her home. She served as a resident bilingual music instructor at the International School of The Peninsula in Palo Alto, where she played a crucial role in developing curriculum from nursery through 5th grade. In 2009, Sue established the Sue Yang Music Studio, a precursor to her founding of the First Movement Music Academy. In 2018, she enriched the musical landscape with the release of her first Mandarin children's music album, "Bam! Boo! Music."
As a devoted mother of two, Sue's expertise spans piano, voice, violin, and songwriting. With 22 years of experience seamlessly blending classical discipline, jazz technique, and contemporary music, she has crafted engaging curriculums tailored for students of all ages in the SF Bay Area. Sue's impact extends beyond the studio as she is the founder of the TAJCCNC National iSing singing competition with ETTV North America. She is an active contributor to the Taiwanese-American Chamber of Commerce (TACC), ardently promoting Taiwanese culture worldwide through the universal language of music
