Gary Ka Lai W. — Piano Teacher — Queensborough, New Westminster

Born in Hong Kong, Gary received formal training in piano performance and pedagogy from Ming Qiang Li 李名強 and Mary Mei Loc Wu 吳美樂 at Hong Kong Baptist University. While studying for his Bachelor of Arts in Music, he was highly praised in masterclasses conducted by Chinese pianist Xiang Dong Kong 孔祥東 and Timothy Woolsey from Southwest Texas State University. He also served as the pianist for HKBU Christian Choir and had a CD of sacred music recorded. In addition, he was the president of HKBU Choir and participated in chorus festivals held in Italy and Germany where he had academic exchange with renowned musicians. As an active soloist and accompanist, Gary often receives excellent comments in concerts. He performed Schumann’s Piano Concerto with HKBU Orchestra and accompanied for Grieg’s and Ravel's Piano Concerto. He also played famous western and Chinese pieces, including Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2, Mendelssohn’s Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Flute and Drum at Sunset 夕陽簫鼓 and Birds Adoring the Phoenix 百鳥朝鳳. Moreover, he was interviewed by Radio Television Hong Kong and had his performance of Chopin's Ballade No. 3 and Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue broadcasted. Besides performing, Gary devotes himself to music education. In Hong Kong, he was a teaching member of Liu Shih Kun 劉詩昆 Piano and Arts Centre, Naxos International Music Centre, Hong Kong International Institute of Music as well as International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School. Since 1993 he has been teaching over 100 students aged 3 to 70, many of whom have achieved high marks in examinations and have won top prizes in competitions. In 2012 he was awarded the Honour-Teach Trophy by Hong Kong Piano Music Association. Although currently the Fellow of Trinity College London (FTCL) and the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM), Gary does not forget to broaden his musical knowledge. In 2003 he joined the Professional Development Program for Music Teachers held by the Australian Music Examinations Board. The program involved inspirational teaching, child development and approaches to music education. In 2015 he also completed an advanced music course at Orford Musique in Montréal and studied Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit, which is one of the most challenging 20th-century compositions, with Henri Brassard from the University of Québec. Gary is now a British Columbia Registered Music Teacher, a pianist of Vancouver Chinese Choir, an instructor of Poesis Music Academy, an RCM exam accompanist as well as an ABRSM exam interpreter.

* Able to teach all ages and all levels. * Able to give lessons at student's home. * Familiar with both RCM and ABRSM examination syllabus. * Teaching repertoire includes classical, folk, jazz, pop, sacred, etc. * Educational approaches of Dalcroze, Kodaly and Orff are applied. * Technical drilling and ear training are emphasized. * Student concerts are held regularly.