Mimmy Hsu
Music Educator | Piano · Clarinet · Theory · Collaborative Piano
Mimmy Hsu is a pianist, clarinetist, and music educator whose musical journey has taken her across North America, Asia, and Europe. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Piano Performance from the Haute École de Musique de Genève in Switzerland.
Throughout her studies, Mimmy has had the privilege of learning from distinguished musicians including Charles Neidich, Joaquin Valdepeñas, Connie Gitlin, and Paul Coker. Her experiences as a soloist, chamber musician, collaborative pianist, and orchestral musician have shaped her understanding of music as both a discipline and a form of personal expression.
With nearly two decades of ensemble experience, Mimmy brings a particular sensitivity to balance, breathing, phrasing, and musical communication to collaborative performance. She works with musicians in recitals, RCM examinations, competitions, auditions, chamber music, and other performance settings, always seeking to support the performer while allowing their own musical voice to remain at the centre.
Now based in South Surrey / White Rock, Mimmy offers private lessons in piano, clarinet, and music theory in English or Mandarin. As a registered RCM teacher and Teacher Partner of the Vancouver Chopin Society, she is committed to providing thoughtful and engaging music education for students of all levels.
Mimmy Hsu 是一位鋼琴家、單簧管演奏家及音樂教育者。 她的音樂學習旅程跨越北美、亞洲與歐洲，曾於加拿大多倫多大學取得單簧管演奏音樂學士學位，並於美國曼哈頓音樂院取得音樂碩士學位，後於瑞士日內瓦高等音樂院完成鋼琴最高演奏文憑（Certificate of Advanced Studies）。
求學期間，她曾師從多位傑出音樂家，包括 Charles Neidich、Joaquin Valdepeñas、Connie Gitlin 及 Paul Coker。多年來的獨奏、室內樂、合作鋼琴與樂團演出經驗，讓她逐漸體會到，音樂不只是技巧的累積，更是一種理解、表達與交流的方式。
近二十年的重奏與樂團經驗，也讓她對合作演奏中的音樂平衡、呼吸、樂句及彼此之間的聆聽有著細緻的理解。無論是獨奏會、RCM 考試、比賽、甄試、室內樂或其他演出場合，她始終以支持演奏者的音樂表達為核心，在合作中聆聽與回應，同時讓每位音樂家都能保有自己的聲音。
目前居住於 South Surrey / White Rock，Mimmy 提供鋼琴、單簧管及音樂理論課程，可使用英文或中文授課。身為 RCM 註冊教師及 Vancouver Chopin Society 教師夥伴，她致力於為不同程度的學生提供扎實、細緻而富有啟發性的音樂教育。
Mimmy Hsu는 피아니스트, 클라리네티스트이자 음악 교육자입니다. 캐나다, 미국, 스위스에서 음악을 공부했으며 University of Toronto에서 학사, Manhattan School of Music에서 석사를, Haute École de Musique de Genève에서 피아노 연주 Certificate of Advanced Studies를 이수했습니다.
솔로, 실내악, 협업 피아노 및 오케스트라 연주 경험을 바탕으로 음악적 균형, 호흡, 프레이징과 앙상블의 조화를 중요하게 생각합니다. 현재 South Surrey / White Rock에서 피아노, 클라리넷 및 음악 이론을 영어 또는 중국어로 지도하고 있습니다.
My Approach to Teaching
I believe that learning an instrument is, in many ways, a way of learning how to listen.
Music begins with notes, rhythms, and technique, but gradually asks for something more: attention, curiosity, imagination, and the ability to hear beyond what is written on the page. Learning to play is therefore also learning to listen—to notice detail, to understand musical relationships, and to discover how an idea can be shaped and expressed.
Strong fundamentals form the foundation of this process. A secure understanding of music reading, rhythm, technique, coordination, and musical structure gives students the freedom to approach music with greater confidence and expression. I pay particular attention to the details that give music its character: the direction of a phrase, the shape of a melody, the quality of a sound, and the relationship between one musical idea and another. It is often through these details that music begins to reveal itself.
Meaningful practice, too, begins with understanding. Rather than treating practice as repetition for its own sake, I encourage students to approach difficulties with curiosity and purpose. Careful listening and thoughtful practice allow them to recognize what needs attention, explore different approaches, and gradually develop their own solutions. Over time, the goal is not simply greater fluency at the instrument, but greater independence in the way students listen, think, and learn.
Every student brings a different personality, pace of learning, and relationship with music. My teaching therefore balances encouragement with high standards, creating an environment where students can develop with both confidence and curiosity. Support and challenge are not opposites; together, they create the conditions for meaningful growth.
Ultimately, I hope students leave my studio with more than a collection of pieces they have learned to play. I hope they develop an attentive ear, a curious mind, and the confidence to encounter unfamiliar music with patience and imagination. The deeper goal is not simply to learn an instrument, but to learn how to listen closely, think independently, and find one's own voice within music.
Stories From My Students
“Grace had the privilege of receiving piano lessons from Mimmy at the age of 6. With patience and encouragement from Mimmy, Grace could really be herself in choosing what songs to play and even what directions to be led. What amazes me even more is that when Mimmy knew that Grace is also learning French at school, she switched to French language to be friendly. How thoughtful!”
— Parent of Grace, 6, Piano“Even now, she still talks about you often, saying how much she loved taking lessons with you — she has even been asking to come back to you. The time she spent learning with you was the happiest and most engaged she has ever been with piano. You were incredibly patient, always finding ways to guide her that she could understand and accept, and you had a real gift for encouraging her. Thank you sincerely for being part of her musical journey. I truly believe that any student who gets to learn from you in the future will be very fortunate. Wishing you all the best!”
— Parent of Olivia (former student), 8, Piano“Teacher Mimmy was my daughter’s very first clarinet tutor and musical mentor. She is incredibly patient and attentive with children, and she is always gentle and never gets angry. My daughter truly loves her very much. If she had not moved back to Canada, I sincerely would have hoped that she could continue teaching my daughter for as long as possible and guide her to the highest level she could teach.”
— Parent of Ariel (former student), 10, Clarinet