Esther Chung Marks
About
My guiding principle is that studying music is essential to a well-rounded education, developing the intellect, emotions, imagination, physical coordination and self-discipline.
I am interested in giving my students comprehensive skills to play the piano with inspiration, enjoyment, musical understanding, physical ease and confidence. I try to engage and maintain my students’ interest with a variety of repertoire and musical styles, building on their strengths while challenging them to reach their full artistic potential through thoughtful and efficient practice. I also have students engage with each other through fun, community-building group classes, where we develop theory, ensemble, listening, improvisation and performance skills.
My students have been accepted to prestigious music schools and festivals such as Juilliard, Manhattan and Eastman Schools of Music, Aspen Music Festival and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Some have developed professional careers in music, and many have won top prizes in competitions, including the Concert Festival International Solo and Concerto Competitions (appearing in solo recitals and performances with orchestra), Vivo International Competition, Long Island Steinway Competition, American Protégé International Competition, Bradshaw and Buono International Competition, and the Suffolk Piano Teachers Foundation Competition. Many have performed at Carnegie Hall and other venues in New York City such as Merkin Hall, Lincoln Center and Staller Center for the Arts.
The majority of my students take the Royal Conservatory of Music practical and theory assessments, garnering "High Honors with Distinction” and “Honors with Distinction" ratings, and some have received Awards of Excellence for the highest scores at both the Center and State levels. Additionally, students consistently receive "Superior+" and "Superior" ratings in National Guild Auditions and Outstanding and perfect scores in NYSSMA auditions.
I encourage students to share their musical gifts, and they regularly perform in public performances, competitions, senior assisted living centers, choral, band or orchestra concerts, school assemblies and talent shows. Several have participated in programs at Point CounterPoint in Vermont, the Piano Camp at Westminster Conservatory in Princeton, and Stony Brook University’s Pre-College Program.
I am passionate about teaching, and I enjoy seeing my students grow as musicians and individuals. Imparting the gift of music through piano lessons is a true joy and privilege!
Teaching Style
High quality, professional piano instruction with emphasis on developing healthy, reliable technique and musical artistry at all levels of study.
Excellence in chamber music, collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists for performance, auditions and recordings.
Curriculum
Innovative, effective strategies and techniques for rapid progression and improvement in all aspects of classical piano performance.
Credentials & Affiliations
Esther Chung Marks received a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to study at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria.
She has had in-depth private study with Edna Golandsky of the Golandsky Institute, leading proponent of the Taubman Approach. https://www.golandskyinstitute.org/profile/edna-golandsky/
She holds a Master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor's degree with distinction from the University of Redlands in California, both in piano performance.
She also has extensive experience in the Yamaha Music Education System.