Yina Qiao

I am a classically trained soprano in Voice performance at Southern Methodist University. Previously, I studied at the Manhattan school of music, and trained under esteemed voice professors, including Ashley Putnam, Mary Dunleavy, Maitland Peters, Christopher Nomura. My performance experience spans across renowned festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, Mediterranean Music Festival, and Miami Music Festival, where I have taken on roles such as Lucia in 'Lucia Di Lammermoor', First Mother in 'Dead Man Walking', and Alms sister in 'Suor Angelica'. I have also performed with the New World Symphony on Steve Reich's 'music for 18 musicians', working with famous musicians including Ted Atkatz and Michael Tilson Thomas. I have also participated in productions such as ' L'enfant et les sortilèges' , La Traviata, and Jake Heggie's 'Cinderella 99'. My repertoire includes works by Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, Bach, Bellini, etc.

In additional to my vocal training, I have played the piano for over six years, and have served as an accompanist for many singers in auditions and juries. I hold a level nine piano certificate from the Central Conservatory of music in Beijing and I was invited by voice teacher Camille King at SMU to accompany French diction and English diction classes, as well as voice lessons. I also have experience in language coaching, particularly in Chinese and German, helping musicians improve their pronunciation and diction. As a dedicated musician and educator, I strive to help students develop healthy vocal and piano techniques, musical expressions, and confidence in performance. 

My teaching style is relaxed and adaptable to each students needs. I tailor lessons to individual skill levels, assigning repertoire that challenges students while ensuring steady progress. I provide personalized guidance and targeted techniques to help students make significant improvements in a short period of time.

I welcome students of all ages and levels, including beginners. My goal is to make learning, enjoyable and accessible, ensuring that even those with no prior experience can understand the material and build a strong foundation. I adjust my teaching methods to match each students learning pace, making sure they feel confident and engaged. 

For voice students, I emphasize strong diction and musical interpretation. Students will receive structured assignments. While I assign repertoire, students are also welcome to bring in pieces they are passionate about, and we will determine together whether they are suitable for study. Please know that for students who aspire to pursue a professional career or are already professional musicians, transcribing lyrics into IPA(international phonetic alphabet) and translating the music are required. If you don't know the IPA, don't worry——we will go through it thoroughly.
For piano students interested in accompanying singers, I offer hands-on training by singing along while they play. I introduced real world challenges by adjusting tempo and phrasing to help them develop flexibility and responsiveness. Accompanists will learn how to anticipate a singers musical choices and adapt seamlessly, including handling unexpected situations such as breath management issues, or rhythmic discrepancies, ensuring a smooth and professional performance.