Meet The
We pride ourselves on handpicking the teachers, who go through an elaborate interview process before we confirm their employment. Meet our dedicated teachers who are passionate about transforming the lives of students through piano playing.
Janice Ong
Principal and Master Trainer
DipABRSM, Piano Teaching (ABRSM, U.K.)
Grade 8, Theory (ABRSM, U.K.)
BSc. NUS (Hons)
Having gone through a rough start on her own music learning journey, our principal, Ms Janice Ong understands the challenges and appreciates the importance of having a strong foundation. Coupled with her immense passion for developing individuals, Presto Studios was born – with the vision of providing aspiring learners and young children a wholesome piano education, and to inspire lifelong learning.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, many students under her tutelage have all achieved stellar results. From beginners to diploma students, many had successfully turn around their backsliding interest, to scoring high distinctions in their ABRSM exams, giving students the boost of confidence needed to push them on in their learning journey. Committed to bringing out the best in every student, she put her heart and soul into every lesson.
To her, ‘The best teachers teach with their heart and not by the book’.
Chiara Choi
Executive Piano Instructor
Masters of Fine Arts in Music (Piano Major) – Tunghai University
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music (Piano Major) – Tunghai University
Passionate about teaching and grooming students, Chiara helms more than 8 years of experience under her belt, teaching a plethora of student profiles both in Malaysia & Taiwan. Beyond the textbooks, what motivates her daily is the belief that learning music helps one appreciate lives’ subtle nuances better. To her, music is the only language that encompasses all – literature, history, math and even physical education. But above all, it teaches one to be human; to love, embrace pain, learning empathy, and to recognise the beauty in life.
Her passion also led to her return to Tunghai University in Taiwan; to further her studies on a full scholarship for her bachelor & masters, after teaching for a few years. She subsequently graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. During her time in school, she also picked up an interest for choral singing, with active involvement in planning and management of events of various scale, as their VP. She is also an accomplished performer and has accompanied for various instruments, including vocals, strings, woodwind for exams, competitions and concerts.
Joanne Yap
Senior Piano Instructor
Master’s Degree in Piano Performance
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance,
University Putra Malaysia
Joanne started her piano journey more than 20 years ago, and she has been coaching in several countries, including Malaysia and in the UK for over 9 years; whilst pursuing her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Beyond coaching, Joanne is also a seasoned performer; both on piano and the trumpet. Her growing years as a musician has also led her to active involvement with different orchestras and symphonic bands.
With her cheerful and bubbly nature, she believes that music can bring hope and joy to every individual. To her, “when hope exists, everything is possible”. She believes in giving students ample encouragement and sharing her enthusiasm, which will help spur student’s intrinsic nature to better themselves, and overcome any challenges along their music learning journey.
Kit Hui Min
Piano Instructor
Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Contemporary Music, USCI Malaysia
ABRSM Theory & Practical Grade 8
A passionate all-rounder, Hui Min’s musical journey started since she was 8 years old, and she continued to pursue various aspects of contemporary music; including pop music composition, stage productions, both as a performer (piano & vocal) and as a crew. An advocate for volunteerism, she has also provided help as part of earthquake relief team in Japan back in 2011.
Beyond all the stage exposures, Hui Min’s humanistic streak is what drives her true passion; to be able to impact the next generation of young learners through music. With over 4 years of classical piano teaching experience, she has taught students of various ages. She holds dearly to a strong belief that a good & early start in music education can help build-up beneficial characteristics such as patience, determination, confidence and most importantly, the courage to overcome fears, especially in young children.
To Hui Min, music is the most effective and non-judgemental way to bring joy and comfort into one’s life, regardless of race, age. It is meant to be shared and enjoyed universally!
Ong Sherlyn
Piano Instructor
Bachelor of Arts in Music (Magna cum Laude)
Southwestern University
ABRSM Theory Grade 8
Sherlyn has been playing the piano for almost 20 years and she graduated from the Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. As a musician, she has been fortunate to have many opportunities in classical music, such as conducting, accompanying soloists and ensembles, participating in choirs and arranging music.
She believes that cultivating the ability to listen is quintessential to students’ growth, not only as musicians, but also in their personal lives.
Her areas of expertise in piano teaching include Dalcroze eurhythmics, the Kodaly method, cultivating critical listening skills, music theory and teaching practice methods. She is particularly interested in introducing new music to students, how history and styles affect the way music is composed and performed, helping students enjoy the process of music making and finding fun in music.
Sherlyn hopes to further her students’ musical knowledge so that they learn to enjoy the arts and take these skills along with them for life. She hopes to share the joy of music and the bonds that it can create as well.
Zheng Mei Qin
Piano Instructor
Diploma in Biomedical Engineering
Temasek Polytechnic
ABRSM Grade 7 Practical
ABRSM Grade 6 Theory
Mei Qin is a dynamic and passionate teacher who loves challenges and is eager to grow together with her students and colleagues. She has been a teacher of various subjects for more than 10 years. In the area of piano teaching, she has been trained to conduct individual lessons and help students to reach targeted goals.
Mei Qin believes that being a teacher, her role is to lead the student towards a goal. She hopes to be able to influence students and nurture them to have the right learning attitude and to gain a strong foundation in the subject learnt.
Her area of expertise includes planning and charting of learning goals, teaching piano fundamentals, providing wholesome teaching, regular assessment of students’ playing to ensure progression during the learning journey.
Mei Qin hopes to nurture and train her students to acquire strong sight reading skill, play independently, build patience and perseverance in overcoming challenges during the learning journey and to cultivate an interest in performing solo or duet.
