By: Linda Gabriel and Danni Lyu

Danni Lyu, an outstanding music educator, graduated with a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Delaware. She primarily teaches piano, music theory, and a series of other courses, having cultivated a large number of excellent students. Her students have repeatedly won major awards in international piano competitions. It is a great honor to invite this talented music educator, Danni, who has faced numerous challenges and experiences throughout her journey and has now become a highly praised artistic education instructor in the industry. Today, let us explore the world of musical notes with Ms. Danni Lyu and listen to her stories of music education and her passion for music.

Reporter: Could you share why you chose to become a piano music teacher? How has your work and study experience influenced your teaching philosophy?

Danni: I started learning the piano under the influence of my parents at a young age and received professional piano training for a long time. During my career, I realized that an excellent musician might not necessarily make students understand and master their methods quickly. Therefore, I decided to further my studies in music education, thoroughly learning music teaching methods and music education psychology. This enabled me to better combine playing techniques with teaching methods, especially for young children, to understand and love music. I know that in instrument performance, technique and emotion are inseparable. 

Reporter: You played a significant role in the University of Delaware’s ‘Master Players Festival’ international music festival. Can you talk about the impact of this international exchange and competition on you and your students?

 Danni: I was very fortunate to participate in the Master Players Festival and work as a staff member. During this period, I led students to deeply experience the university’s music teaching and life and interact with outstanding musicians from around the world. The students I led prepared excellent pieces in a short time. This is an international music festival, and many music students from China experienced a music festival in the United States for the first time. Children from different cultural backgrounds understood each other through music and enriched their lives through music study. Through these activities, I deeply realized the importance of involving students in international exchanges and competitions. Therefore, I encouraged my students to participate. After continuous learning and preparation, many of my students won excellent international awards and scholarships, and I am happy for them.

Reporter: Your students have achieved significant success in multiple international competitions. How do you discover and cultivate their unique talents and help them achieve such accomplishments?

Danni: I believe that every child has unique personalities and talents. I slightly adjust my teaching method for each student, setting learning goals according to their abilities. In teaching, my Chinese and American educational background also helps me innovate. I have a high demand for details in pieces, and I also combine music history, culture, and theory to help students understand music. Only when children understand the emotions, theory, and techniques behind a piece can they play beautiful and melodious tunes.

Reporter: You have achieved remarkable results in teaching children with autism. Could you share your experiences and challenges in this field?

Danni: During my teaching, I accidentally encountered a group of children with autism. I found that these children could not receive the same music education as normal children, but I believe that music learning is even more important for them. Among the few children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome that I taught, I taught them piano, explained music knowledge and stories, and combined visual and auditory elements with repetition to make them love music. For these children, immense patience and love are essential.

Reporter: What does music mean to you personally? How do you pass this passion and understanding to your students?

Danni: Music is now a part of my life; it is a language, an emotion, and brings me happiness. I also love teaching music. I watch my students grow in my teaching. Some children have learned piano with me from kindergarten to middle school and high school. I have witnessed their progress in learning music and instruments and participated in their growth. We influence each other, and through the process of passing on music, my teaching philosophy and experience have been continuously improved and perfected.

According to sources, in the coming days, Danni Lyu will dedicate herself to expanding her international influence. By establishing collaborations with music academies and organizations around the world and participating in master classes in American and Asian music festivals, she will bring her musical philosophy to every corner of the world. At the same time, Danni Lyu will also embrace the wave of digitalization by offering online music courses and participating in the development of music education applications to reach a broader group of students. Additionally, she will actively engage in charity, participating in and initiating music education projects to help special children and children in impoverished areas, demonstrating her sense of social responsibility. Lastly, Danni Lyu is committed to exploring the integration of music and technology, incorporating the latest technology into music creation and teaching, and opening up new fields in music education. Through these initiatives, Danni Lyu will not only push her musical dreams to higher levels but also spread the beauty of music to more people around the world.”(Reporter Interview: Ruth Davis）