Education
MM, The Hartt School, University of Hartford
BA, Central China Normal University
Tongqing Liu is currently a DMA student at the Hartt School. He has a strong enthusiasm for music and is a frequent performer in the Hammer Klavier series, Evelyn Bonar Storrs Piano Scholars Recitals, as well as many chamber music concerts. His main performance experience includes seven different solo recitals. He has also served as an accompanist at the Hartt School since 2017, and for the Suzuki viola group class. In 2017, he won the championship of the 6th Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia International Piano Competition and held a winner's recital.
He began studying piano at the age of 11 and holds a bachelor's degree from Central China Normal University, as well as a master's degree from the Hartt School. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in piano performance. His major teachers include David Westfall and Paul Rutman. Additionally, he has studied piano accompaniment and pedagogy with Maggie Francis.
His awards include: Irene Kahn Piano Scholarship, Hartt DMA and MM Talent/Honors and Evelyn Bonar Storrs Piano Scholarship.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that independent thinking is the most important aspect of learning the piano. If a person relies solely on the teacher, they will not succeed. As a teacher, I guide my students and encourage them to think for themselves and be true to their own musical identity. When my students ask questions, I do not provide direct answers; instead, I ask guiding questions that lead them to discover the answers on their own. Even with younger students, I challenge them to develop their own thoughts and ideas.
I carefully select pieces that suit each student's personality. For instance, if a student is sensitive, I will assign more sentimental pieces, while if a student enjoys showcasing technique, I will assign them a virtuosic piece. I also give my students the freedom to choose pieces they truly enjoy, and recommend diverse repertoire to broaden their musical horizons.
For younger students, I prioritize valuable pieces over mundane finger exercises. Another important concept I emphasize in my teaching is listening to recordings. I strongly encourage students to observe the phrasing and intonation of non-keyboard instruments, as this helps train their ears and imagination. Consequently, it translates into more expressive and colorful piano playing.
In my teaching, I rely on demonstrations to guide the student and illustrate various teaching points effectively. I have discovered that true progress occurs when one begins to think independently. As the Chinese saying goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I am passionate about music and am eager to share this passion. I welcome students of all skill levels who have a genuine enthusiasm for learning the piano.