Fun, Accelerated and
Effective Piano Classes
Wunder Academy serves the greater Houston area, providing professional piano pedagogy using iCap and Pianotopia.
Sherry Liu is an accomplished pianist with extensive experience spanning a number of countries.
Call: 713-218-7519
Fax: 713-218-7885
Michael C.
12 years old
Spring Recital 2008
Under Ms. Liu's guidance, I utilize piano to flush out my emotions and thoughts without opening my mouth to utter a single word. Piano has allowed me to express myself in ways that words and actions can not display, and it has shown me how creative your mind can be when you set your mind to it. Even if you can not practice everyday, piano is still an excellent skill to have and if you keep working at it, you will always have it with you.
Ryan S.
10 years old
iCap gave me a wonderful introduction to the piano. It is easy to follow the instructions, and I love all the game-interactive programs. Some of my close friends, who have been taking piano from different teachers, have all quit piano. I know if they had the opportunity to study with Ms. Liu, they would continue playing the piano. I am determined to stick with it. It has been really fun for me.
Henry S.
13 years old
I started piano with Ms. Liu about 5 years ago, and all these group and private lessons have been really fun. I have enjoyed playing pieces from different areas. iCap has cultivated my interest for piano more than ever. It is not "nerdy" to play the piano. On the contrary, playing piano makes me feel accomplished and has also built my confidence. It has been an awesome experience taking iCap with other students. iCap has shown that playing piano is sociable and entertaining.
Hannah L.
12 years old
iCap has given me the opportunity to perform with other students on a weekly basis, and this has been a big motivation for me to work harder toward my goals. Through iCap, I have realized that playing piano is a wonderful tool to release my stress.
Nicholas E.
9 years old
Spring Recital 2008
I have been taking piano from Ms. Liu since 6 years old. Recently, she asked me what I think about taking piano lessons with her and playing the piano in general. I believe that playing the piano is powerful because it raises feelings no other thing can. If it is minor key, I feel kind of sad. If it is major key, I feel energetic! Ms. Liu has helped me to realize that playing the piano is important. It gives me a chance to show what I do best. It is the greatest thing I have ever done.
Luke D.
14 years old
I have been studying piano with Ms. Liu for 4 years. My experience has been very fun even with the continued dichotomy between Ms. Liu and I. She wants me to play slowly and correctly while I enjoy playing quickly and taking "artistic license" with the notes. I will miss my lessons once I go away to boarding school, but I am sure to continue piano playing, and it will be a lifelong hobby of mine.
Carolyn
Mother of Hannah
My daughter, Hannah, who is now 11 years old, has been taking lessons from Sherry Liu since she was 7. I am amazed at the progress Hannah has made during this four-year period. I have been very impressed with her instruction in technique and artistry. Through Ms. Liu's teaching, Hannah has learned to pay attention to dynamics and to utilize various techniques that make the particular music more artistic. She has a specific book on music theory. Ms. Liu has provided Hannah with a good balance of theory, technique, artistry, and very important for an 11 year old, fun. She has instilled in Hannah a love for piano and the desire to do her very best. Ms. Liu knows exactly how to encourage Hannah without being demanding, while still insisting on Hannah's best efforts. I attribute this to her gentle manner that enables her to coax the best from a student. Ms. Liu's students, no matter what their level of talent, will always be made to feel pride in their accomplishments. They will always be treated with respect and courtesy.
When Hannah started her lessons with her, Hannah had been taking lessons for about a year. Ms. Liu discovered right away that Hannah was not reading the music, but was instead playing by ear. Ms. Liu addressed that right away, and after a few weeks working with flash cards, Hannah was proficient at music reading. She can't fool her teacher, however. When Hannah tries to rely on her ear, rather than the music, Ms. Liu picks up on it right away and has provided Hannah with extra practice on sight reading from time to time. I offer this as an example of Ms. Liu's ability to recognize areas where a student, though making excellent progress, needs to return to the basics.
Ms. Liu's technical instruction and manner of teaching can only be described as superb. She has been a wonderful role model for Hannah.
Justin
13 years old
When I was just 6 years old, I received a piano. I banged on it so loud that my parents had to cover their ears to talk to me when I was playing. Then they decided to get a teacher to teach me piano. We searched around, far and wide, and found nothing. My parents are very particular and could not find anyone until my mom's friend suggested Ms. Liu as a worthy piano teacher. Since then, we have been traveling 30 minutes to her home studio on a weekly basis.
When I met her, I was a very nervous and shy little boy. As the lessons progressed, I learned to trust and like her as a teacher. She always compliments me when I successfully complete a piece of music, and is never like the evil piano teachers in books that slam a ruler down on your knuckles if you miss a note. She would just try to help improve my playing by patiently showing me the right way to play the piano.
The Guild Piano Auditions helped me build my confidence as I memorized, not only one, but 10 to 15 different songs of my choice. I have done it every year for the 7 years I have been with her. The recitals are always exciting because you get to see what everybody else has been practicing hard on all year.
At the time of this testimony, I am a teenager that is 13 years old and playing piano under the instruction of my patient, kind, and loving teacher, Ms. Liu.
April
Professional Engineer
My name is April Lauper. I am a 56-year-old professional licensed mechanical engineer residing in the State of Texas. I am not the typical piano student but I have been taking piano lessons from Sherry Liu for the last several years.
When I was 5 years old, I started playing the piano. That first teacher taught me until I graduated from high school and headed off to college. I quit taking piano lessons at that time, but never stopped playing the piano. That first teacher taught music using a ruler on the knuckles. Encouraging words were never forthcoming him; however, he did teach me to read music. For years I played, never improving and knowing personally that I was butchering the music I played. I always said I needed to improve but it was not until a couple of years ago that I got up enough nerve to try again. That was when I found Sherry Liu and suddenly years of empty words from my mouth were finally put into action. Taking up piano lessons again was scary. Sherry told me that before she would accept me as a student, I had to audition for her. Heavens, I knew I had poor skills but audition! I had never really auditioned before, so I was very nervous, yet I played for her. Afterwards, she accepted me provided I promised to do three things:
David and Morgan
Parents of Isabella and Brandon
Our six year twins have been taking piano lessons from Ms. Liu since September 2006. We are very pleased with their progress. Ms. Liu has shown a great amount of kindness and patience. She has treated each child as an individual and has tailored their lessons accordingly. Ms. Liu has instilled a love for piano and music within our children while still allowing the learning experienced to be fun. Her studio is inviting and a good environment for learning. We are grateful to Ms. Liu for all that she does for our children.
Yve
Mother of Steven
My son, Steven, began taking lessons from Ms. Liu a year ago, when he was 4 1/2 years old. Since Steven started at a young age, it was important to me that he was learning in an environment which was fun and not stressful. Ms. Liu works at Steven's level and provides encouragement and positive reinforcement. When he has to repeat a piece a few weeks in a row, she reminds him that some pieces are harder than others and that it is okay to repeat the hard pieces. While she gently reminds him to pay attention to certain details, she always tells him when he is doing a good job. When he is playing well, he is rewarded by getting to play duets or new pieces. Ms. Liu has a good sense of what parents and students want to accomplish by taking piano lessons. For my son, I mostly want him to be able to enjoy and appreciate music. Ms. Liu picks fun pieces which are appropriate for his level, so that my son looks forward to practicing. Steven's experiences with Ms. Liu have been excellent.