I am originally from Indonesia and in 2004, I moved abroad to Hamilton, Canada to pursue my high school diploma. At that time, I was only 14 years old and did not know anything about this foreign country because I had no relatives or friends at all. All I knew was that I needed to take piano lessons because I love to play piano very much and I was lucky enough that I was introduced to Professor Leon Karan as my piano teacher by my high school headmistress. Not only did he and Mrs. Karan take care of me throughout my study with him, he also managed to strengthen my passion in music with his great knowledge and perspectives. During my 2 years of study with him, he has become more like my only family in Canada and has taught me piano techniques that I had never discovered before, with much deeper meanings and expressions in the pieces I played. He endlessly found all kinds of opportunities for me to perform and compete in, and I can never thank him enough for his patience, support and mostly trust in me because if I had not studied with him in the past, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have today. I have currently obtained my Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree with The Most Meritorious Graduate Award from the University of Toronto, and Master of Music and Performer’s Diploma in Piano Performance degrees from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music both with full scholarship and Associate Instructorship Award. Thank you so much Professor Karan for all your moral support and knowledge that you have given me. You are definitely one of my greatest teachers and mentors who has shaped my foundation as a person and musician!
Isabella Jie