Leslie Chu
Piano Instructor
Ms. Leslie received her Bachelor of Music Education degree at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, the New Jersey Music Conservatory at Rutgers University back in 2014 with a Magna Cum Laude and has had many years of experience teaching in both a private piano and public school classroom setting.
She is also the recipient of the 2016 AAFAA Distinguished Pedagogy Award, certified piano teacher having passed grade 8 ABRSM Practical with “Distinction,” winner of the CACA Young People’s Competition back in 2002, and has adjudicated for several ADMTA Festivals.
Ms. Leslie is super patient, understanding, and flexible in her teaching style. While catering to her students’ needs, she also pushes them to their full potential and encourages everyone to set annual goals of taking part in the studio winter/spring recitals, ABRSM practical, performance grade, and theory exams, any state, national, and even international festivals, auditions, and competitions, all highly useful as credit for college admissions and resume-building! Her students have received “Distinction” for both ABRSM practical exams and performance grades.
Outside of weekly lessons, Ms. Leslie’s students are also encouraged to contact her directly with any questions and send any recordings for feedback. Always remember, to become well-rounded musicians, students should expect the curriculum to include repertoire-building (playing your favorite pieces), ear-training, sight-reading, doing rhythmic exercises, theory, technique-building, and of course, consistent practice.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Leslie has played piano for weddings, school and church choirs, and accompanied for Rutgers’ Extension Division Children’s Choir. She loves to cook in her spare time, host game nights and karaoke with friends, go on Disney excursions, and cuddle with her ragdoll cat, Mr. Fluff Fluff.
