Dr. Debby Yang

Dr. Chia Shan Debby Yang, former program director, lecturer and piano teacher in Kingston University, Bachelor of Music Program, possesses vast scope of teaching experience in various subjects in higher education. During the time in Kingston University from 2009 to 2021, she taught practical sessions including piano lessons, peer sessions and master classes, and gave lectures in the performance modules at all levels as well as other subjects such as collaborative practice and music history. Dr. Yang was also the pianist of the KU Composition workshop in charge of performing composition students’ new works. To celebrate her accomplishment,

Dr. Yang was recently invited by KU Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre in July, 2021 to share her methods in a CPD workshop. In 2006-2010, she taught

piano repertoire, analysis and piano pedagogy in two certificate programs at

HKU SPACE (Certificate in Advanced Piano Performance and Certificate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy).

Before moving to Hong Kong, Dr. Yang was a referral piano teacher in the University of Chicago, where she taught piano and actively involved in the New Music Ensemble under the music department. In this cutting edge chamber group,

she worked with top notch calibers in classical music and debuted new compositions of seasoned international composers such as Stephen Montague, Joan Tower and Hanns Eisler, etc. as a soloist and chamber musician. During the time in the U.S.,

Dr. Yang was invited to perform in various events including a memorial concert for the composer, Su-ti Tan as a soloist, and gave a live chamber music performance broadcasted at King FM in Seattle. She was also invited to perform with renowned flutist, Eugenia Moliner, in the prestigious World Music Festival in Oak Park, IL.

Dr. Yang has appeared as a soloist and ensemble player in different iconic performance venues including Fulton Recital Hall, Chicago, Benaroya Hall,

Meany Hall and Brechemin Auditorium in Seattle, and Jessen Auditorium in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Yang is a multiple winner of chamber music competitions and recipient of music awards including Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity, Phi Tau Phi,

KAWAI Music Scholarship, and YAMAHA Scholarship, etc.

As a contemporary music advocator, Dr. Yang’s dissertation “Exploring New Techniques in Contemporary Piano Music: A Guide for the Intermediate-Grade Student” focuses on the pedagogical approaches in the modern piano compositions. It offers a comprehensive evaluation of the new piano performing techniques and piano modifications.

Dr. Yang followed acclaimed pianists Patricia Michaelian, Danielle Martin (Leon Fleisher’s student) and Dr. Juanelva Rose, and graduated from University of Washington in Seattle, USA (Doctor of Musical Arts, majoring in piano performance), University of Texas at Austin, USA (Master of Music, majoring in piano performance), Tunghai University, Taiwan (Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in piano performance) and received Certificate of Education, focusing on music education.