Laura Reynolds, Summer Programs Manager, San Francisco Conservatory Preparatory Division
I am continually impressed by the breadth of Esther’s creativity, both as a performer and educator. She cares deeply about the integrity of music and commits herself to high standards of performance both technically and expressively. She is an energetic teacher and supports and encourages curiosity. It’s been my pleasure to work with her for over 20 years!
I am continually impressed by the breadth of Esther’s creativity, both as a performer and educator. She cares deeply about the integrity of music and commits herself to high standards of performance both technically and expressively. She is an energetic teacher and supports and encourages curiosity. It’s been my pleasure to work with her for over 20 years!
Ma Li Chen, Parent
My daughter, Tiffany Chang, has progressed quickly during her studies with Esther. Not only has her tone and technique improved, but also her musicality and attitude towards music as a whole. Esther has also taught Tiffany to persevere but have fun at the same time.
My daughter, Tiffany Chang, has progressed quickly during her studies with Esther. Not only has her tone and technique improved, but also her musicality and attitude towards music as a whole. Esther has also taught Tiffany to persevere but have fun at the same time.
Hansen, Former Student
Esther is a great teacher with a wonderful personality. She has an effective approach that tailors to individual needs and goals. Her encouragement and flexibility allowed me to continue flute for many years despite my busy schedule. Under Esther’s guidance, I made great progress on my technical abilities. She also taught me valuable lessons about tone production and sound. Esther is a skillful flautist, an enthusiastic teacher, and a caring individual.
Esther is a great teacher with a wonderful personality. She has an effective approach that tailors to individual needs and goals. Her encouragement and flexibility allowed me to continue flute for many years despite my busy schedule. Under Esther’s guidance, I made great progress on my technical abilities. She also taught me valuable lessons about tone production and sound. Esther is a skillful flautist, an enthusiastic teacher, and a caring individual.
Vivian, Former Student
I took private lessons with Esther from the time I was in 3rd grade to my senior year of high school. Esther was always passionate about helping me find pieces I liked while still giving me a well rounded education in different styles of music. Esther also encouraged me to grow as a musician by helping me enroll in the SF Conservatory of Music where I was inspired by the talent around me. Always patient with her teaching, it's no wonder I stayed with Esther as my flute teacher all those years!
I took private lessons with Esther from the time I was in 3rd grade to my senior year of high school. Esther was always passionate about helping me find pieces I liked while still giving me a well rounded education in different styles of music. Esther also encouraged me to grow as a musician by helping me enroll in the SF Conservatory of Music where I was inspired by the talent around me. Always patient with her teaching, it's no wonder I stayed with Esther as my flute teacher all those years!
Vivian, Parent
Esther has been teaching private flute lessons to my daughter for more than two years. First of all, she is an outstanding flutist herself who actively performs. Her performances provide a great opportunity for inspiring young students.
More importantly, she has a solid musical training and is very experienced in teaching. My daughter benefits from exposure to a wide spectrum of repertoire from Bach to contemporary composers, which is a superb, unbiased education for a young musician. My daughter has also learned practice techniques which truly work. As a faculty member in the Prep Division at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Esther is a great resource. She is an excellent coach for the chamber music program there, and also provides special opportunities for her students to play flute duets and trios to enrich their experience.
Last but not least, Esther is a caring teacher. She works closely with me to help my daughter make real progress. She effectively communicates with me and plays a crucial role in maintaining my daughter’s interest in flute study and her desire to be a better flutist. One challenge while teaching children is to be encouraging and critical simultaneously, so that the children can move forward with a clear, high expectation. For different children, the tipping point is different. Esther has been very patient in working with me in exploring the character of my daughter and finding that balance. We are very lucky to have Esther as my daughter’s private teacher.
More importantly, she has a solid musical training and is very experienced in teaching. My daughter benefits from exposure to a wide spectrum of repertoire from Bach to contemporary composers, which is a superb, unbiased education for a young musician. My daughter has also learned practice techniques which truly work. As a faculty member in the Prep Division at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Esther is a great resource. She is an excellent coach for the chamber music program there, and also provides special opportunities for her students to play flute duets and trios to enrich their experience.
Last but not least, Esther is a caring teacher. She works closely with me to help my daughter make real progress. She effectively communicates with me and plays a crucial role in maintaining my daughter’s interest in flute study and her desire to be a better flutist. One challenge while teaching children is to be encouraging and critical simultaneously, so that the children can move forward with a clear, high expectation. For different children, the tipping point is different. Esther has been very patient in working with me in exploring the character of my daughter and finding that balance. We are very lucky to have Esther as my daughter’s private teacher.
Shirley, Former Student
I gained a lot of experiences in my one year of studying with Esther. I used to only care about technique but forgot to pay attention to putting feelings into music. But Esther taught me ways to analyze different parts of the pieces, figure out what the composers are trying to express, and actually play music instead of playing notes. During chamber music hours, Esther also taught us about how to collaborate and communicate better with each other. We made great progress and beautiful music together under her coaching. I am now studying as a music major in college. Esther helped me so much on preparing my audition and she gave me a lot of encouragement. I wonder what I would be doing right now if I didn't have her help! Not only is she patience but she is also a great teacher. I really wish that I had more years to study with her! Thank you so much, Esther!
Kenneth, Jazz Flutist
Esther is a great flutist, a wonderful teacher and highly personable. I thoroughly enjoy her approach to teaching. Esther has a wonderfully unique approach for helping players develop tone and producing a sound with much more depth, projection and color. Esther introduced me to new ways of articulating that has greatly enhanced my entire sound and has changed my approach to playing. Working with her is a joy.
Susan, Parent of Student
Esther is a flexible and fun teacher. She kept my daughter playing flute through high school in the face of many competing demands. She constantly adjusted the teaching approach to appeal to my teenager's interests in dance. As we went through the college process, she was a good listener and counselor. She is both kind and rigorous, and a top flight flutist herself.