About me

Yan Yan started learning the piano in Hong Kong at the age of 7 and the flute at the age of 14 when she moved to Scotland with her family.

During her school and university years she won numerous music awards, competitions and festivals including The Highest Achiever Award for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music 1994 (Flute and Piano), The Instrumental Performance Award for the Lochaber Music Festival 1995 (Flute), and Napier University, Edinburgh Piano Award 1997.

At university, she was priviledged to study under Margaret Murray MacLeod (Piano) in Edinburgh, Raphael Terroni (Piano) in London and Rainer Schulein (Flute) in London. She attended and played in master classes with Vanessa Latarche (Piano), Lisa Nelson (Flute) and Clifford Benson (Accompanying).

After Classical Performance studies in Edinburgh and London, Yan Yan became a freelance musician touring Scotland as a pianist, accompanist and flautist, working with various soloists, choirs and orchestras. As a pianist / accompanist she has played for auditions, concerts, competitions, festivals, choirs and various school / university and external exams. She was also a cocktail pianist for 7 hotels around Scotland.

She has enjoyed playing as Principal Flautist for the St Andrews Orchestra, Edinburgh and has also played for many weddings, funerals and social occasions.

In 1999 she took up the post of Piano / Keyboard Instructor and Accompanist for Fife Council, Scotland for six years, working within 7 Primary Schools and 4 High Schools. This gave her a real experience of working with young people aged 8 – 18. It was a pleasure to teach students from beginner level up to diploma standards, with many going to take music up as a career. All her students played for enjoyment and most ventured onto gaining certificates with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

In 2005 she moved to Sydney, Australia with her husband. She is now a mum of two very beautiful children which has given her a real insight to the joy music brings to babies and children.

She has taught flute and piano at the Lane Cove Music and Cultural Centre where she quickly established herself as an accompanist and teacher. She now enjoys working at Chatswood Public School as a piano teacher and is co-founder of “Soundhub” a professional music studio in Lane Cove. There she runs piano lessons, theory classes, and various preschool classes including her wonderful engaging preschool music program called Crash Bang Wallop for 3 – 4 year olds. This was originally written and designed for her eldest daughter to help her further develop her passion for music.

It has been a help for Yan Yan as a musician to have goals to work towards and so she has always tried to set achievable goals for her pupils. Within each school term there have been opportunities for her pupils to perform favourite pieces which they have learnt within informal and formal concert settings and within competitions, master -classes and Music Festivals.

If you would like to get in touch please email me: info@yanyanbowie.com.au