Who We Are?
Piano Village Foundation was established in July 2017, Connecticut, USA.
This is a community platform dedicated by volunteers from advisors, teachers, school students and parents who share the same mission and passion.
We are sharing, inspiring and growing through music learning.
Our Philosophy:
We, at Piano Village Foundation, strive to offer an innovative and efficient way to demonstrate the art of music reading, comprehending theoretical music concepts, and piano playing techniques. Our goal is to help students excel in music most proficiently, allowing them to apply these skills into their daily life and studies.
To start a fun, happy, life-long journey for young students in music – to help them get the ability to focus, follow and flow (Felicia Zhang’s 3EFM method); Develop courses on music instruments and music theory to discover potentially talented children, and further train them to participate in performances, ensembles, choir, etc. To attend concerts, workshops, parent-child integration music camps together with their parents and friends;
Our Vision:
It takes a whole village to raise a healthy and bright child. Music is one of the key elements in the life journey of joyful and accomplishment. We seek to gather all high quality education programs and advisors to build a platform for all children to grow.
- To provide a fast, innovative, efficient way to teach children music
- To start a happy journey for young students to get quality music training, in music instruments, theory, ensemble participation, performance, workshops, camps, and more with members of the community.
- To create an opportunity for young musician to develop their talents in music, as well as education and leadership positions.
- To engage community members and school students, and to provide a platform for community service.
- To provide an early music education for underprivileged children in the community; To supply caring charity service to vulnerable groups in the community; To ensure that no one in our community will quit the music learning due to financial hardness.
Our Mission:
- To provide music education for children to enjoy music, build confidence, strengthen character and express themselves through music;
- To introduce music education from an early age to cultivate their core values towards building a harmonious society;
- To provide an opportunity for youth leaders to develop their talents along with their academic studies and leadership;
- To engage family members in music related activities as participants or volunteers to enhance community relationship;
- To foster a life-long interest in the arts through the learning of music;
Founder Advisor
Piano is the mother of music instruments and an excellent education tool which provides the solid music foundation, develop both brains, both hands and ten fingers simultaneously. All skills built through piano learning closely in connection with academic and life, through my over 36 years of firsthand teaching and research, it is my passion and profession to help everyone to play music with ease and receive much more benefits from learning it! We founded Piano Village where you can find this approved methodology to learn effectively and efficiently with joy!
I am fully supporting our young professions here to achieve their talent contribution goal, not only to deliver beautiful music to the community, but also help more people to enjoy this beautiful grand instrument!
Read More about Felicia Feng Zhang
Felicia Feng Zhang, a MTNA National Certified Piano Teacher and Certified American College of Musicians (NCTM & ACM) with more than 35 years of teaching experience. Award-winning educator, pianist, pedagogical practitioner, youth talent development with strategy planning expert and Educational advisor with multiple degrees and cross-border discipline certifications from China and United States. She has been interviewed and featured in National Major medias like NBC, FOX, BBC etc.
She has been devoted herself into the community as an active volunteer shortly after she arrived in United States in 1995. Her enthusiasm has been recognized from the community, collogues, parents and students. She is currently the President of the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association as well as the board member and representatives of several non-profit educational organizations. She is the founder of All Talent Academy and founder advisor of Piano Village Foundation and Music Theory Express to provide effective theory learning through keyboard theory to understand music and develop the good learning habits and abilities.
She has diagnosed the old piano method or note by note learning which could not provide the effective and efficient results! and students has learned in painful ways and quit during the learning journey. She has set her mind to research and development a good effective structured method. Her hard work, passion and dedication paid off, she found the root cause and learning growth stumbling block.
She created and established her innovative 3EFM teaching method based on her theory in 5 cores (Eyes-Ears-Mind-Fingers-Feelings) training that works effectively and provides significant results with short period of time from her students among all ages and levels. Her method books CLEF (Core Literacy Education Fundamental) Series and Music Theory Express series have been helped students and parents to play the music with joyfulness and confidence. During the pandemic time, the CLEF series have been taught via online which helps many students internationally. To learn piano with ease become possible and accessible!
Her unique sight-reading method receives remarkable results from her student as young as 3 years old. Every year, many of her students win numerous international competitions and awards and pass the RCM exams with high marks. She has also been awarded numerous prestigious international piano education awards for her outstanding teaching. Her name was included in the Hall of Fame Piano Guild USA in 2006 as well as the Marquis Who’s Who of American Women 2000/2001. She was nominated as Teacher of Year 2019 by the Connecticut State Music Teacher Association and received the “2020 Teacher of Distinction” award from Royal Conservatory of Music, Steinway & Son Top Teacher Award 2021. She is an active adjudicator and often gives lectures, workshops, and master classes internationally.
Now, she has spent time to train and guide young teachers to teach well. She also teaches students Etiquette, Mindfulness, music and academic, life connection as well as life skills and transformation.
Youth leaders Board:
We, at Piano Village Foundation, strive to offer an innovative and efficient way to demonstrate the art of music reading, comprehending theoretical music concepts, and piano playing techniques. Our goal is to help students excel in music most proficiently, allowing them to apply these skills into their daily life and studies.
To start a fun, happy, life-long journey for young students in music – to help them get the ability to focus, follow and flow (Felicia Zhang’s 3EFM method); Develop courses on music instruments and music theory to discover potentially talented children, and further train them to participate in performances, ensembles, choir, etc. To attend concerts, workshops, parent-child integration music camps together with their parents and friends;
Clara Tu
Co-Founder and Executive Youth Leader Club President
Born and raised in Connecticut, Clara Tu is a multi-instrumental (piano, oboe, violin, flute, ukulele, organ) musician and music educator. She co-founded Piano Village during her study at Phillips Academy and continue to follow her heart to contribute her skills and experiences during her college study at UC Berkeley . She has been featured in renowned news platforms like the NBC Today Show, Fox News Connecticut, and other major publications due to her growing accomplishments in music at such a young age, having performed multiple times on stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Beijing Concert Hall, Madison Square Garden, etc. Beginning her training as a classical pianist under the instruction of renowned music educator Felicia Feng Zhang, she has since expanded her skills to practice in styles like jazz, playing in chamber music and vocal accompaniment, and learning conducting during her studies at Manhattan School of Music Precollege as a Piano Major. Clara is now one of the youngest students to earn her Associate Diploma (ARCT) with Gold Medal Award in Performing and Piano Pedagogy Intermediate Teaching in both Practical and Teaching Theory.
Having played piano since she was 3, music is a powerful part of her life. As she states, “Music is my form of communication when emotions are too powerful to convey in words, becoming my outlet for stress and frustration. To me, music is an art—lyrical, harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, something that lasts throughout time. As something that can be understood between cultures, music is a connection from my heart to the world and my body is the form of communication between the two.” Wishing to share her love and passion for music, she founded the Piano Village Foundation to provide a platform for accessible and valuable music education, wishing to provide opportunities to find their own voices through their musical journey.
Alexander Tu
Co-Founder and Executive Youth Leader Club Technical Manager
Alexander Tu with his sister Clara co-founded Piano Village Executive Youth Leadership Club since 15-year-old in his rising sophomore year. He is very excited to contribute his skills and time to the community. He thinks if his skills and achievements can bring benefits to the society, inspire and help more people, that skills and achievements become more valuable and meaningful. He has been learning piano since he was 5. He has played in Carnegie Hall several times and has also being a event host every year since 2019. He has passed level 8 in the Royal Conservatory of Music Theory Exam with honors. At school, He has been High Honor Roll in Greenwich High School in consecutive years. He is also an award member of National Honor Society, He also actively participating and lead projects in school club, make efforts and time to participate many volunteer works. In 2021, He received silver medal from the President’s Volunteer Service Award. He also plays clarinet in his high school’s Concert Band. He has set his regular weekly schedule to help young kids to improve skills through piano and math as well as computer learning. During the pandemic time in 2020, He proposed offer online free music classes to the community, and he taught one group of students in two levels. The online program has helped more than 100 students to know how to play piano, the program is still going on as current. The Greenwich News wrote a story about their heartful contribution to the community during those special time.
Eva Zhang
PVF Secretary general and Program Manager
Eva Zhang has been with Piano Village Foundation since its founding. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and tutoring with Ms. Felicia’s Follow, Focus, Flow (3F) methods, and seeing how quickly the students’ progress in every aspect. I love combining music theory teaching with math to help students think more critically. Eva Zhang is a highly analytical, self-motivated, and multifaceted student studying Operations Research Engineering at Cornell University. She attended Greens Farms Academy and graduated with high honors and head of school distinction. From a young age, Eva was drawn to math because she found joy in problem solving. This leads her to compete in math and science Olympiads, become the high school robotics team captain, and complete an independent research project in materials science, on the degradation rate of magnesium for Biomedical Engineering applications. She received top awards in high school such as Excellence in Mathematics & amp, Science Award by Fairfield University and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Alongside STEM, piano has been a huge part of Eva’s life. She has passed the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Level 10 exam at age 13, and the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 9 practical and history exams. Under the guidance of Ms. Felicia Feng Zhang, she has also received various awards such as Elite International Music Competition First Place Winner and the Sonatina Medal, and even performed at Carnegie Hall. Furthermore, she has started teaching piano in high school, to both adults and children, using Ms. Zhang’s involving and efficient 3EFM method. She has been working hard to participate the music theory team in the Piano Village Foundation in order to devise a more systematic way of piano teaching.
Currently, I am studying at Stanford Management Science & Engineering for my MS degree. In the future, I hope to continue working with PVF and grow with the organization, as well as to teach professionally in academia.
Eddy Yedu Huang
Eddy Yedu Huang, a seventh grader at Greenwich Academy in Connecticut, has been learning piano under Felicia Zhang since she was five. Developing a passion for music early on, Eddy faced challenges in her piano journey but found invaluable support from experienced musicians at the Piano Village Foundation. These mentors not only helped her improve but also deepened her joy in playing. Motivated by the kindness she received, Eddy is committed to giving back to the Piano Village Foundation and furthering its mission to spread joy through music.
Eddy Yedu Huang has performed at Carnegie Hall four times and received the Gold Medal with Superior Plus ratings and the National Sonatina Special Plaque Medal from the America College of Musicians, achievements highlighted in a national magazine. Beyond her personal accomplishments, Eddy has dedicated herself to fostering a love for music among young children. She has designed, organized, and taught free piano classes through the Piano Village Foundation’s platform at the Greenwich Arts Council and the Greenwich YMCA. Additionally, Eddy has participated in philanthropic piano performances, contributing her talents to benefit her local community.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Eddy is the captain of the math team at Greenwich Academy, along with being an active member of the robotics team. She also has a passion for writing, having won Gold Medals in the UConn Student Writers’ Competition and Silver Keys in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Competition. Recognized for her literary talent, she was chosen to read her work as the grade representative by the Connecticut Writing Project at UConn. Eddy has applied her writing skills to craft reports on charity events for the Piano Village Foundation and to deliver inspiring speeches to young pianists during Piano Village Foundation events.
Eddy has also played a key role in promoting the Piano Village Foundation by designing appealing flyers, QR codes, and online questionnaires. Fluent in both speaking and writing Chinese, she leverages her musical expertise to translate Chinese songs into English, broadening their accessibility and allowing speakers of other languages to appreciate the music.
Eddy was honored with a bronze medal from the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2023 and received the Annual Selected Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from 2022 to 2024 from the Piano Village Foundation for her exceptional volunteer contributions. She firmly believes that music is a universal joy that connects everyone.
Cary Wang
Cary Wang, 9th Grader at Horace Mann School and Precollege student at Manhattan School of Music (MSM), has been invited to perform in Carnegie Hall 15 times, Vienna’s prestigious Ehrbar Hall and Mozarthaus, London Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center, Kaufman Center, and Yamaha Artist Piano Concert Series with Yamaha Artist Mr. Jose Ramon Mendez, etc.
Cary has won many piano competitions since the age of six. He was named as Sole Winner of 2022-2023 Music Teachers National Association Connecticut State Junior Piano Competition, the Alternate Winner of 2023-2024 and the Winner of 2019-2020 highly competitive MSM Piano Concerto Competition, 2020 Gold Award and 2017 Silver Award of Piano group SinoVision the Teen’s Talent Show. Cary made his orchestral debut with New York Concerti Sinfonietta in January 2020 at Lincoln Center.
Cary began his piano learning at 6 with top national piano educator Ms. Felicia Zhang of Greenwich, CT. Since 2018, he has been majoring in Piano under Prof. Jeffrey Cohen at Precollege Division of Manhattan School of Music with the honor of Dean’s List for GPA above 3.9.
At age of 9, he accomplished Piano Level 10 Assessment of Royal Conservatory Music Development Program with First Honor. In June 2023, he completed the highest level, the Associate Diploma (ARCT) of Piano Performance, with Honor.
Cary has been avid volunteer leader of Piano Village Foundation by hosting quarterly Music Appreciation workshop for young kids to explore creativity between music and art and teach them basic music theory. Since 2016, Cary has been invited to perform at the New Canaan Inn, Waveny Lifecare Network, twice a year to share the joy with the seniors there. He received 2023 Presidential Service Award for his work.
Cary also plays jazz, cello and enjoys yacht racing, golf, and painting. He is a junior investor and entrepreneur as a US patent holder for a multi-functional school gadget.
Serena Arnold
Youth Leader of the Southbury Division
My name is Serena Arnold and I am 16 years old. I am from Southbury, CT, and am a rising junior at Pomperaug High School. I have taken piano lessons from Felicia for almost four years, and since then I have been given the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall three times. Within the past couple of years, I have started to see my true love for piano and music as a whole.
I have decided to join the Piano Village Foundation as I wanted to give back to the community doing something that I love doing. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I would love to share my passion for music and piano to everyone. After learning PVF’s goal and why the organization was created, I immediately wanted to join it and make a difference to those around me.
