Yesterday afternoon (March 15, 2026), EKS Music School had the wonderful opportunity to host a truly special piano masterclass with composer and pianist-educator Chee-Hwa Tan. The event took place at the beautiful M. Steinert & Sons Newton showroom, where students performed on the remarkable Steinway Spirio piano, connecting with Chee-Hwa in Denver through SpirioCast technology.
This event was presented as part of our EKS Living Composer Series, which is the theme of our school this year. The series celebrates living composers and allows students to experience music not just as notes on a page, but as a living art form created by real musicians of our time.
For many of our students and teachers, Chee-Hwa’s music is already very familiar. Over the past few years, her imaginative and expressive pieces have become favorites in our studio. Being able to work directly with the composer who created the music they love was both inspiring and deeply meaningful for the students.
Each participating student came away with something unique and valuable from the experience.
Esther Goon, performing Night…and…Day, explored the melodic contour and shaping of the phrase, learning how subtle changes in line and direction can bring the music to life. Her playing became more expressive as she discovered how to let the melody breathe and sing.
Alexis Lee, who performed The Swing and The Wind, focused on the importance of breathing between musical phrases. Chee-Hwa guided her to imagine natural spaces in the music, allowing the phrases to feel more fluid and relaxed, much like the movement of wind itself.
Richie Karash, performing Ferocious Lions, worked on using body weight and physical energy to create a powerful sound. Through Chee-Hwa’s suggestions, he discovered how the body can help produce greater volume, excitement, and dramatic character in the music.
Katie Chin, performing As Eagle Soars, was encouraged to imagine the majestic image of an eagle gliding over a canyon. With that imagery in mind, she learned how to use her body and arm movement to create smooth, flowing arpeggio lines, giving the music a sense of freedom and flight.
One of the most exciting moments of the afternoon was hearing Chee-Hwa perform her own music on the Spirio piano. Experiencing the composer’s interpretation in the room—through the remarkable Spirio technology—was both thrilling and inspiring. It gave students a rare chance to hear how the music sounds in the composer’s own imagination.
Another highlight came at the end of the masterclass. Because all of the performances had been recorded through the Spirio system, the students were able to listen to their own playing played back on the piano itself. Hearing their performances in this way was a powerful and eye-opening experience, allowing them to reflect on their sound, musical ideas, and progress.
The afternoon was filled with curiosity, discovery, and musical growth. Students left feeling motivated, energized, and inspired, having gained new ideas about sound, phrasing, movement, and imagination at the piano.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Patrick Elisha from M. Steinert & Sons and Betsy Johnson from the Steinway & Sons store in Denver, Colorado, for coordinating this unique SpirioCast experience and helping make the class such a memorable and meaningful opportunity for our students.
