Teaching
Klaus has been an outstanding instructor for me, a perfect fit.
It’s been helpful as a psychology student to get advice from Klaus as I’ve been learning on the value of intentional practice, repetition, and flow in improving my skill. He uses psych concepts.
I’m sure it’s challenging to teach an adult beginner like me, but Klaus has perfectly balanced my enthusiasm as an adult learner with my child-like pace in learning! It’s been especially nice that he’s put in the time to adapt pieces that I love to hear (e.g. Phillip Glass) into something manageable for me. And I feel like it’s definitely helping me learn that he’s so good at explaining music theory, and we almost always have sessions where I am practicing a part that Klaus then relates to some historical developments.
The fact that we have such interesting conversations about music only encourages my enthusiasm. I can’t wait to take more lessons with him next semester.
—Nader Hakim
About
Klaus currently serves as partner and senior faculty at JnC Music Centre in Surabaya, Indonesia. His students have won prizes at the London College of Music Piano Competition, Indonesia YAMAHA Piano Competition, Nanyang International Piano Academy and obtained Diplomas and Licentiates from ABRSM Examination Board. His current and former students include active piano teachers with high-achieving students of their own, who want to further develop their skills.
In recognition of his skills and dedication in the classroom, Klaus was nominated Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant by the University of Kansas School of Music in 2021. There, he taught keyboard harmony courses and individual piano lessons for music undergraduates as well as a highly popular elective course about introduction to piano. He also served as Head Teaching Assistant in the Piano Department and was charged with leading the effort to design new curriculums.
Klaus is in-demand as a speaker, clinician, and has been frequently invited to work with students and teachers at various music institutions across Indonesia. He holds a BM in piano performance from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music National University of Singapore and an MM from the New England Conservatory of Music. He completed his DMA at the University of Kansas with a dissertation honor for his doctoral document on Exoticism in Fin-de-siècle France.
Teaching Philosophy
Rigorous training is an indispensable part of achieving excellence
It’d be nice if there’s any shortcut to avoid hardwork and diligence. But even the immensely gifted musicians like Mozart and Paganini had to train intensively from an early age to become what they are.
Effort counts twice
Talent x Effort = Skill, and Skill x Effort = Achievement (Grit by Angela Duckworth)
Someone twice as talented, but half as hard-working, would reach the same level of skill as the other person. However, they would produce dramatically less over time. That’s why the strivers among us, who put consistent and continuous effort over the long term, will surpass the talented who became more complacent.
Providing motivation is an essential part of teaching
Building a skill demands energy, passion, and commitment. It requires motivational fuel. I don’t leave my students to find motivational sparks on their own but actively help them discover (and re-discovering) it. I give praise my students every now and then not to make them to feel good per se, but only when I think they have earned it. Overpraising leads to a dip in motivational level—only the concrete, deserved praise goes a long way to ignite and sustain motivation.
Everyone learns differently and grow at different paces
Beethoven’s teacher famously said that he was hopeless as a composer and Bach (who became an orphan at the age of 10) studied music for years through copying music collections owned by his church. I often tell my student and their parents that growth isn’t always a straight line even when they feel like they have stretched their limits. Patience and resilience are necessary parts of growth. So long as they continue to put in effort, a significant transformation is on the way.
Students need to be guided to practice deliberately
The finest athletes do not just train hard, but also systematically and purposefully. It’s not that much different in music. I invest a substantial amount of my instruction time on learning strategies because students don’t just naturally know how to use their time effectively when practicing at home. Part of my job is to save them from mindless repetition and procrastination on the piano. I do so by setting up concrete and achievable goals for the next lesson and hold them accountable to it.
No students left behind
If asked what part of my teaching is unique, I would say that it’s the relentless commitment to never leave learning to chance. The weakest students deserve the best coaching and mentorship that I can give because I believe creative pedagogies and persistence are two essential components to overcome learning difficulties. I find satisfaction and excitement whenever I come up with new idea or solution to a problem that my student presented me with.
What New Students Should Know
Student's minimum age and level
I provide one-on-one instruction to students aged 7 or above, who have reached an early-intermediate level. I refer younger and induction students to the team at my school (JnC Music Centre) who are specialized and vastly experienced in early music education.
Co-Instructing
Let your current teacher know if you plan to have me as co-instructor. Co-teaching could work, but only with open communication.
Parent's involvement
The parent, teacher, and student function as a three-part team to achieve musical success. Parent’s involvement is critical and often indispensable to student’s progress. This is especially the case for students aged 15 and younger.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to select students who demonstrate exceptional commitment and high artistic merit.
Scholarships are awarded as percentage of tuition and may also be awarded in the form of additional lesson time based on student goals and commitment to piano studies.