Faculty

Dr. June Xiao has been praised by Menahem Pressler, the grand seigneur of the piano, as “a miracle worker with an extraordinary ability to procure and cultivate young talents.” Piano world’s much revered Sergei Babayan says “June has proven to me what a great teacher she has become, having transformed students in record time.” 

Dr. Xiao began her music education at the Shanghai Conservatory Precollege. In high school, a Rotary sponsorship brought her to the U.S. to study, eventually earning her Doctor of Music degree in piano performance and literature. 

Dr. Xiao’s deep commitments to students and strong pedagogical lineage has attracted many students preparing for successful competition and conservatory auditions. Highlights include her work with the prodigious pianist Haochen Zhang, the youngest ever contestant and winner of the 2007 China International and the 2009 Cliburn. Dr. Xiao’s approach, whether to piano instruction or career development, reflects her multifaceted experiences in music. From 2004 to 2013, her career in China included as the founding Music Department Chair at Jinan University in Guangzhou; teaching at the Shenzhen Arts School and supervising as an international project consultant at China’s Poly Performing Arts. 

As a parent, Dr. Xiao understands high performing kids and her students have gone on to New York City’s most selective schools. Under her guidance and direction, competitions her young students have won in the past three years included Canada International, Juilliard’s Prokofiev 3rd Concerto Competition. They have been designated for NPR’s Young Artist Fellowship, Orpheus Classical CD Young Artist, NPR “From the Top”, CBS Special Feature & WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase. Her student was hand chosen by the chairman and jury members of the International Tchaikovsky/Chopin Competitions, as one of the top fifteen classical pianists in the world, under age 17. Denis Matsuev praised Dr. Xiao’s student as “a new star in classical music and the pride of her country.” 

Degrees 

Bachelor of Arts – Case Western Reserve University & Cleveland Institute of Music 

Master of Arts – Carnegie-Mellon University 

Doctor of Music – Indiana University