Polish-American pianist, Dr. Ivona Kaminska is among the most recognized artist-teachers of today. Having performed in the most prestigious concert halls in the USA and Europe, such as Salle Cortot, Paris and Carnegie Hall, NYC, Dr Kaminska enjoys her career as a teacher of gifted and ambitious students. Every years her pupils garner dozens of top prizes in local and international competitions and themselves regularly debut on the stage of Carnegie Hall, NYC and Benaroya Hall, Seattle, among many others. Dr Kaminska emphasizes healthy and correct technique from the earliest stages of training, combining this approach with a strong interest in music and fun group classes. She invites ambitious and hard-working students to her studio that aim to prepare for high-level concerts and competitions.

Combining the best of the Eastern European tradition of piano education with modern American pedagogy, Dr Kaminska focuses on strong technical training and developing deep understanding of historical styles. Dr Kaminska excels in preparing young pianists for success and recognition, and she specializes in ambitious students who exhibit a solid work ethic and deep passion for music. She is adored by pupils for her limitless devotion, support, passion, as well as straightforwardness and sense of humor. Passionate about piano teaching, she created Clara’s Piano Corner, a YouTube channel providing insightful performances, commentary, and top-view videos with scores.

Dr. Ivona Kaminska is a president of the Seattle International Piano Competition and Festival, and the artistic director and co-founder of the Chopin Academy of Music. During the spring of 2019, Dr. Kaminska was bestowed the prize for the most outstanding person of Polish origin in the area of culture on the West Coast by the committee “Teraz Polska” at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles, California.

Internationally educated, Dr Kaminska holds the highest possible level of pianistic education with four graduate-level degrees from three countries: Poland, Canada and USA: a Masters of Arts Degree from the prestigious Chopin University in Warsaw, Poland as well as the Post-Graduate Artist Performance Diploma from the same institution, Masters of Music Degree from the University of Nebraska, and Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia, Canada. She has also studied at the Mozarteum Festival in Salzburg as well as Schleswig-Holstein Festival in Lübeck, Germany. Her most influential teachers were Tatiana Shebanova, Boris Bloch, Andrzej Stefanski, Henri Paul Sicsic, James Cook and Marek Jablonsky.

Aside from teaching at the Chopin Academy of Music, Dr. Kaminska worked as an instructor in the University of British Columbia, Shoreline College in Seattle and Cornish College of the Arts. She has been also invited to teach in the Tsar’s Village Festival in St Petersburg (2013), University of Southern Oregon, Cornish College Piano Institute, and Barcelona Piano Academy in Spain, and Amici International Music Festival in Malibu, California. She enjoys a vibrant performing career as a duo pianist with her husband, Dr. Christopher Bowlby. The duo performed in several countries, including Italy, France, Spain and Poland, aside from regular concerts in the USA.

Current openings: none.
Do you wish to contact this instructor directly? ivona@chopinacademy.com
Additional Languages Spoken: Polish, German, Russian

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Since 2002, Dr. Christoper Bowlby has established himself as one of the most sought-after piano pedagogues, lecturers, and adjudicators. Aside from his successful career as an instructor of highly-accomplished piano students, Dr. Bowlby is also director and vice-president of the world renowned Seattle International Piano Festival and Competition, as well as program director of the Chopin Academy of Music in Issaquah, Washington. As an accomplished teacher of many award winning students, in 2012, Dr. Bowlby was invited with Dr Kaminska to present on a joint panel, the “Secrets of Winning a Competition” during the Music Teachers’ National Conference in NYC.

Having performed in such prestigious musical centers as the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall in New York City,Salle Cortot in Paris, France, and Benaroya Hall and Meydenbauer Center in Seattle, among others, his playing has been acclaimed for its warmth and integrity.

Previously a winner of several young artists’ and concerto competitions, he has been featured several times on Public Radio (both in Midwest as in Hawaii), both as a speaker as well as a pianist, including a live performance of Bach’s Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828 on King FM in Seattle. His extensive repertoire shows his expertise both in the monumental romantic masterworks such as Brahms’ “Handel Variations” and Schumann’s “Symphonic Etudes” as well as new works by living composers, including John Corigliano, Jeff Junkinsmith, Laura Kaminsky, David Mitchell, and Owen Bloomfield. Equally at home with chamber music literature, Mr. Bowlby performed Beethoven’s Sonata in A major with cellist, Yo-Yo Ma and frequently performs four-hand and duo piano music with his wife, Ivona Kaminska. Throughout his international studies, he has coached with such eminent artists as Marek Jablonski, Henri-Paul Sicsic, Eugene Skovorodnikov, Mark Clinton, Boris Berman, Stéphane Lemelin, Patricia Michaelian, and Craig Sheppard.

His secondary academic interest in music theory led him to study with some of today’s most prominent theorists, including Henry Klumpenhouwer, Richard Kurth, John Rahn, and Jonathan Bernard. Dr. Bowlby’s research led him to new discoveries of religious symbolic conveyance in Olivier Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus.

Formerly, Dr. Bowlby was on the faculty of Mount Royal College in Richmond, Canada, University of British Columbia, Shoreline Community College and University of Washington, as well as the Ashland International Piano Institute in the University of Southern Oregon. In 2013, Dr. Bowlby also shared his pianistic passion and knowledge with students of the Tzar’s Music Festival Summer Master Class Program in St. Petersburg, Russia. His recent engagements include performances at the prestigious SOU piano series in Oregon and Southern Louisiana Piano Festival and numerous lecture recitals.. Dr Bowlby is often judging various competitions, such as the 2014 and 2016 Thalberg International Piano Competitions in Naples, Italy. For more info visit his personal website: www.kbpianoduo.com

The students of Dr. Bowlby are awarded more than 30 top prizes in festivals and competitions each year. All ambitious students, for whom piano is their main passion, are invited to audition for his studio. Their students have a minimum commitment from one to three hours of practice a day, depending on age and experience. Currently, Dr. Bowlby has limited openings.

Current openings: None. For more info please, contact directly Dr Bowlby: cbowlby@chopinacademy.com

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Pianist, Maxwell Charles Adkisson has performed solo and chamber repertoire ranging from Bach to Schoenberg. He was voted Best Classical Instrumentalist at the 2009 Scores of Sound Music Festival in Seattle, Washington. As a chamber musician, he was awarded first prize at the 2008 Washington State MTNA Young Artist Chamber Music Competition. Recently, Maxwell succeeded in winning the Boston Conservatory 2012 Honors Chamber Music Competition.

Mr. Adkisson is a senior member of the faculty, having served with distinction since 2009. He is also an administrative coordinator.

He has performed at Benaroya Hall, Longy School of Music, the Space Needle, and Whitworth University. Mr. Adkisson has performed in and had the privilege to be a part of master classes given by Joseph Silverstein, Theresa Bogard, Henri-Paul Sicsic, and Paul Barnes.

From 2007-2010 Mr. Adkisson taught piano performance at The Chopin Academy of Music, The DaCapo Music Academy, and The Ballard Academy of Music. Mr. Adkisson’s principle teachers include Peter Mack, Frank Hennigan, and Jonathan Bass. Maxwell studied chamber music with Lynn Chang and Jonathan Cohler. Mr. Adkisson studied on scholarship at Cornish College of the Arts from 2005-2009. Mr. Adkisson was born in Kampala, Uganda and grew up in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Adkisson completed his MM degree at the Boston Conservatory of Music.

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Isaac holds a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Paul Katz, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music under Grammy Award-winning cellist David Ying. At Eastman, he was honored with the Glenn L. and Frances Harris Prize.

A passionate chamber and orchestral musician, Isaac has been a fellow at some of the most competitive music festivals in the U.S., including the Tanglewood Music Center, New York String Orchestra Seminar, Taos School of Music, and Bowdoin International Music Festival. He has performed in masterclasses for renowned cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Antonio Meneses, Darrett Adkins, Norman Fischer, and David Geber.

Beyond the concert hall, Isaac is committed to expanding the reach of classical music. For five years, he served as Blogmaster for CelloBello.org, the premier online resource for cellists worldwide. Equally at home in unconventional venues, he regularly brings live performances to breweries, art galleries, museums, and cafés.

Isaac began his cello studies at age 11 with Janice Lee and Efe Baltacigil. He currently performs on a 1909 Ludwig Heinel cello, generously on loan from the Carlsen Cello Foundation.

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Chelsea Bloomberg (CAM Coordinator of Student Affairs), NCTM, holds a Master of Arts degree in music and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and pedagogy from Washington State University. She completed her performance studies under Dr. Gerald Berthiaume, then director of the WSU School of Music. She has participated in many competitions and has performed many recitals, both as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist. As a high school student, she worked with Judy Baker, NCTM and became involved with student teaching through Music Teachers National Association; she has been active in the association ever since. While in college, she served as the MTNA collegiate chapter vice-president and president. She studied pedagogy under Michelle Mielke, the WSU Piano Pedagogy Lab School coordinator, for five years and completed an independent study of children’s method books and composed an original method book as part of her elective studies. Bloomberg taught class piano for non-piano majors and was a teaching assistant for music theory for music majors during graduate school. She has presented at conferences and academic showcases for pedagogy and research, taught at summer music festivals, and served as competition judge.

Ms. Bloomberg is a senior faculty member of the Chopin Academy of Music, having served with distinction since 2013. She is also the administrative coordinator of student affairs.

Ms. Bloomberg was awarded the Association for Faculty Women’s Founder’s Award Runner Up for her research on Edward MacDowell’s Four Piano Sonatas and her undergraduate Honor’s Thesis on Beethoven’s compositional periods received Pass with Distinction from the WSU Honor’s College. Additional awards include the School of Music Presser Award, School of Music Outstanding Graduating Senior, and concerto competition prizewinner for the Port Gardner Bay Chamber Orchestra. In December 2011, she won the adult division of the Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle’s Competition/Festival and was awarded with a performance at Benaroya Hall and live performance on Classical King FM’s Northwest Focus with Sean MacLean. In April 2024 she has debuted on the stage of the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall (NYC) with her duo partner Maxwell Adkisson.

In the teaching studio, Ms. Bloomberg strives not only to provide aspiring musicians with a solid foundation in technique and musicianship, but also show them the joy of expressing themselves through music. She emphasizes correct body positioning and release of muscle tension and her desire is to guide students toward developing greater confidence in both lessons and in performances.

Ms Bloomberg is a Festival Coordinator for the Seattle International Piano Festivals.

Current Openings: limited

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Students who graduated from Junheng violin studio all enjoyed their musical lives, several of them become wonderful musicians and got accepted into prestige music institutions including the Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

As a performer, Junheng is the winner of numerous national and international awards and scholarships, and has performed recitals in many world-renowned venues throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, including the Carnegie Halls and the Kodak Hall. Since she is very open to innovation and diversity, many of those performances were world premiering of new musical works in numerous styles.

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Hartoon completed her Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts in Piano Performance at Washington state university as a student of Rulby Bailey Ronald. During that time she was a winner of Washington Idaho Symphony Young Artist Competition. Nearing the completion of her graduate studies she heard internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and teacher Andrej Dutkievicz perform in concert. It was a life-changing experience. Awestruck by his dazzling abilities as a musician and communicator, she went on to continue postgraduate studies with the legendary artist at the International Frederick Chopin Academy of music in Warsaw, Poland.

A past president of Eastside Music Teachers Association, Hartoon has maintained a large piano studio in the Bellevue area since 1994. Recognized by many as one of the regions most experienced teachers and adjudicators, she has realized her lifelong dream of sharring her expertise and musical philosophy with individuals of all ages and levels.

“Immersion in music helps every individual grow faster toward their potential. Simply put, musical study makes us all sharper and contributes to a richer life experience. Music enhances our lives through it’s exquisite beauty and it fundamentally provides a discipline for all learning. I provide each individual with the highest quality of customized musical education in a fun, respectful and nurturing environment. It is a life gift to witness so many people who are forever changed through their musical studies. When I continually see the learning span of young people who grow into amazing adults it is perennial testimony to me that music is powerfully important in all of our lives. Equally gratifying is teaching adults who have made the brave decision to either return to or start a new journey into musical study. Everyone has the potential to grow artistically and live richer lives. Moreover, individuals who study music touch everyone around them as well. Music is indeed a universal communicator.”

Current Openings: Mondays/Thursdays

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Since moving to Seattle in 1992, Ms. Khavin continued to be an active performer and became a passionate educator. She has maintained a private piano teaching studio for over 15 years, instructing to students ages four to adult.  As a soloist and collaborative pianist, she appeared in numerous piano solo performances, accompanied hundreds of instrumentalists and vocalists, students and professionals.  In summer of 2014 she was a guest soloist with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Piano concerto in G major. In Seattle, she worked with Lyric Opera Northwest, Seattle Concert Opera, NOISE for kids, Mahler’s Festival, among many other professional organizations. Most recently, she became a Ladies Musical Club Performing Member, presenting several concerts a year. Currently, she is pianist/ choir accompanist at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirkland, WA.

Ms. Khavin holds Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Washington, where she studied with Professor Craig Sheppard. She is also a certified K-12 music teacher and enjoys teaching a variety of musical subjects in a public school setting.

Ms. Khavin is known for her positive style of teaching, a patient and considerate approach to each student. Her long-term focus with each student is to create strong, well-rounded musical talents. Extensively trained as a classical pianist, Ms. Khavin also enjoys and encourages her students to explore a wide variety of musical styles.

Additional Languages Spoken: Russian
Current Openings: limited openings on Mondays

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Outside the United States, Kim has performed across the globe, from Europe to Asia, as well as his native, Korea. During his residency in Berlin as a Konzertexamen fellow at ‘Hanns Eisler’ Hochschule für Musik, he was named Acting Principal Flutist with Nürnberg Staatsphilharmonie Season 2011-12. Since his solo appearance debut at Carnegie Hall with the Interschool Orchestra of New York, Kim has given solo performances with numerous ensembles including New York Handel Festival Orchestra, Livingston Symphony Orchestra, William Paterson University Symphony and Haffner Sinfonietta in Boston.

Kim was awarded top prizes in national and international competitions including First Prize Winner at New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition in 2006, Bohuslav Martinů Prize at the 61st Prague Spring International Competition in 2007, Third Prize Winner at the 38th National Flute Association Young Artist Competition among many others.

Pupils of Dr. Kim:

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Born and raised in Northern California, Ms. Renny Ko began piano at the age of six under Erna Gulabyan in the prestigious Pre-College Division of San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a young pianist she won numerous prizes in young artist competitions including the Yehudi Menuhin-Helen Dowling Competition, Burlingame Music Club Piano Competition, CMTANC youth piano competition, among others.

Having received the Premier Young Artist Award and the Music Faculty Scholarship to Indiana University, she completed her Bachelor Degree under tutelage of the world-renowned professor Emile Naoumoff. After graduating from Indiana University with Honors and Distinctions, she was awarded a full scholarship and fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC), obtaining her Masters of Music degree under the guidance of Bernadene Blaha. During her years at USC, she was an active member of the MTNA collegiate chapter and graduated to be a part of the Pi Kappa Lambda Eta Chapter.

p style=”text-align: justify;”>Renny has attended numerous international summer festivals receiving further distinction and visibility, such as the Schlern International Music Festival, the Rebecca Penneys and The International Holland Music Sessions, among others. She has also worked with such world famous pianists as John O’Conor, Spencer Myer, and Mikhail Voskresensky.

Ms. Ko’s passionate and affable personality encourages students to be excited and dedicated to learn, guiding them to find their own voice to share with the rest of the world.

“Renny Ko is not only a refined and elegant pianist, she is a highly effective piano instructor, and an exceedingly kind and warm individual.” — Dr. Stephen Pierce, Associate Professor, University of Southern California

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After moving to Seattle, she earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Washington School of Music as a recipient of Ruth Sutton Waters Endowed Scholarship. She was featured as soloist with the University Symphony under the baton of maestro Peter Erös in Meany Hall, winning the UW concerto competition. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the UW School of Music under the guidance of Prof. Craig Sheppard. Currently she is a collaborative pianist at the Shoreline Community College and is actively teaching at the Chopin Academy of Music in Issaquah.

With her warm personality and patience, she guides students to develop solid technique and deeper understanding of various aspects of music. She shares effective practice methods and ideas to improve their musical expressions and overcome their individual challenges.

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A former Piano Faculty at Eastman Community Music School (affiliated with Eastman School of Music) and Adjunct Lecturer at State University of New York at Geneseo, Chinese born pianist Dr. Chen Liang is a passionate educator and music scholar. He frequently gives masterclasses and lectures in both China and United States, and is a frequent presenter at the MTNA, CMS national conferences. Chen has also worked as an Assistant Instructor for both Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester, where he was acclaimed as “one of the most wanted piano teachers on campus”. Chen is experienced and specialized in teaching pre-college teenagers, ranging from pure beginners to international competition winners. Back in China, Chen has co- founded the “Beyond the Clouds” summer piano festival in Chengdu and has been serving as the Artistic Director since 2018.

Besides teaching, Chen is also a rising star on stages. As a recording artist for KNS Classical in Spain and a performing artist for Chengdu City Concert Hall in China, Chen gives numerous recitals in China and America, passing his musical inspirations to thousands of audiences. As a frequent concerto soloist, Chen has played with Chong Qing Philharmonic in China, the Greece Symphony Orchestra in New York and Lynn Philharmonic in Florida. Chen is the winner of the 5th Manhattan International Music Competition in New York City, the 3rd Lira International Piano competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Big Arts Classical Music Scholarship Competition and the Lynn Concerto Competition in Florida. He also won top prizes in many other competitions including “ArsClassica” International Piano and Violin Competition in Italy, Piano Texas Music Festival Concerto Competition and the Chautauqua Music Festival Piano Competition. Currently Chen plays as a Collaborative Pianist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Choral Company.

Chen received his Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from both Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China with Prof. Ai Zeng and Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, FL with Dr. Roberta Rust. He earned his MM (Master of Music) and DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Piano Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music, under the tutelage of Ms. Natalya Antonova, with a music theory minor field and Advanced Teaching Certificate.

Additional Language Spoken: Chinese (Mandarin)

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Xinzhu has won many awards and scholarships and most recently, she has been awarded second prize in the Sugree Charoensook International Music Competition in 2021. Xinzhu has won her title of YAMAHA Young Performing Artist in 2019 along with many scholarships including NR- GRAD Merit Scholarship, like NR-JAMES A Walgreen Keyboard Scholarship, and NR-Joan Elizabeth Volz Scholarship. In her undergraduate years, Xinzhu was a finalist in the 7th Bösendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competition, and Grand Prize Winner in Pan Asian Young Artist Music Competition. In addition, she was also the finalist of Nomea International Competition and was a young juror of Author Fraser International Piano Competition in 2021.

She was the recipient of the Perrini Award for Outstanding Sophomore and Keller Award for Outstanding Freshman. Winning the first prize in Women in Music Columbus Audition and Student Concerto Competition, Xinzhu played Beethoven Piano Concerto No.2 with McConnell Chamber Orchestra and David Maslanka Piano Concerto No.2 with Capital Symphonic Winds in 2016. In Music Fest Perugia (Italy), Xinzhu also played Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 with Virtuosi Brunenses Orchestra in 2018.

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In 2020, Kiwa was awarded an honorable mention in the National Young Artists’ competition. She took 1st place at the UW School of Music Concerto Competition and performed a Mozart Piano Concerto with the UW Symphony. In 2022, she took 1st in the University division of The American Prize in Piano Performance. She recently performed McDowell’s Concerto No 2 with Philharmonia Northwest and Mozart No 14 with the UW Symphony. She also collaborated with the University of Washington Wind Ensemble and played Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble by Nancy Galbraith and Concertino for Piano, Winds, and Harp by Kamiló Lendvay. She also has had many experiences performing in recitals and private parties, including Masada Children’s Fund and the University Rotary. She recently performed at the graduation celebration of music department of University of Washington as a representative of graduates.

Kiwa has been playing the piano since she was 3 years old, and from that moment discovered piano as her true passion and one of the best tools to express emotions. Kiwa strives to show students how to discover and develop their own passion for music, something that they can treasure throughout their lives. First and foremost, her main focus is to ensure that students truly enjoy any time spent learning piano. Keeping piano fun and seeing the inspiration in students is her most beloved aspect of teaching. She firmly believes that developing music skills is deeply enriching across all age and skill ranges and enjoys teaching anyone who has a willingness to learn.

Kiwa combines a unique approach of both English and Japanese teaching methods and is fluent in both languages. She places great emphasis on building strong technical fundamentals, as this is paramount to the early learning experience, as well as future growth. Learning music is a journey, and a teacher is responsible for guiding the student along an enjoyable path. Kiwa highly values the needs and interests of the student, working with them to create a curriculum that is both effective and engaging.

Additional Language Spoken: Japanese

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Ross has been performing in concert venues around the world as a soloist, recitalist, collaborative artist, chamber musician and conductor. Ross first captured the public’s attention at the age of ten after winning the Philippine National Music Competition for Young Artists under the tutelage of renowned Filipino pedagogues Mauricia Borromeo, Reynaldo Reyes, Emilio Del Rosario and his aunt Ruby Salvosa and has won numerous competitions since. Ross has an extensive range of solo, concerto and chamber music repertoire and frequently performs newly written contemporary works for solo piano and chamber ensembles.

Ross is the chairman and artistic director of the Music Without Borders Society and is currently a doctoral candidate in Musical Arts (thesis pending) majoring in Piano Performance and a recipient of the Mildred Johnson Scholarship for music at the University of British Columbia under the guidance of legendary pianists Kenneth Broadway, Ralph Markham, Dr. Sara Buechner and Dr. Corey Hamm. He received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degree on a full scholarship graduating magna cum laude at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University (formerly the Harid Conservatory of Music) under the tutelage of Dr. Roberta Rust and Philip Evans.

Current Openings: studio currently full

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