Press

J CHEN PROJECT is thrilled to announce the premiere of an experimental live performance, Seasons of Sounds and Movement, part of the second annual Dancing Keys program commissioned by Natalia Huang Piano Studio. This new work choreographed by Artistic Director Jessica Chen in collaboration with composer Chris DeAngelis is a 20-minute experimental dance performance with live, original piano and string quartet score featuring 8 piano students, ages 7-13, from Natalia Huang Piano Studio. Seasons of Sounds and Movement embodies different elements of the four seasons-it's complexity, history, beauty, and impact, to bring professional and aspiring young artists together to develop and perform work. J CHEN PROJECT is a modern dance company, founded in 2008, that presents its innovative, culturally-based dance works throughout New York City. Led by Asian-American Artistic Director and choreographer Jessica Chen, the Company explores identity politics, cultural traditions, and modern globalization through multidisciplinary, experimental performance works for dance viewers. Natalia Huang, a pianist and graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, founded Natalia Huang Piano Studio in 2003. The Studio currently has over 200 students enrolled in its New York City, Connecticut, and Los Angeles locations. Chris DeAngelis holds a B.A. in Music from UMass and has been commissioned by universities, film, and television, nationally and internationally. For more information about J CHEN PROJECT, please visit our website: www.jchenproject.com. If you would like to schedule an interview with Artistic Director Jessica Chen, please email Jessica at jchenproject@gmail.com.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Huang. Natalia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today? When my first child was born, I realized that I couldn’t continue to teach into the evenings because once she starts school, I will never see her. However, I wasn’t ready to give up teaching. The way for me to continue to be involved with a teaching studio and still be there for my children was to expand the business. Also, the idea of building a larger community that understands the value of music education is very exciting for me! Has it been a smooth road? Oh dear…it was far from smooth! But I suppose that is true with any small business. While I was confident in my teaching, I had to learn new business skills that I did not have – marketing, management, and customer relations. I also thought it was a good idea (not really) to have three children in four years — all at the same time I decided to expand. At one point, I had a nervous breakdown because all the juggling was just too much! Talk about learning to delegate…I learned that very quickly after realizing I can’t do it all! So, as you know, we’re impressed with Natalia Huang Piano Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others. We always tell parents that we are not a music school, but an enlarged piano studio. The community factor has always been important in the studio even as we grew into three locations. This was because the thought of not being able to say hello to a student in the studio pains me, which is why I personally interview every student that comes into our studio. Our students become a part of the studio family…especially when we watch them grow up over the years. I’m not sure if there is anything more fulfilling than that! Parents will tell you that they are surprised by how creative and innovative our piano studio is. We often hear “you guys are NOT like the piano lessons I had when I was growing up! If I had the same kind, I might still be playing the piano!” From fun practice challenges that gets your children practicing VOLUNTARILY at home, to wearing tuxedos in our formal orchestra performance, our parents constantly rave about what we can do! Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least? I grew up in Los Angeles, so I have always loved the rich cultures and awesome weather here. Even after being on the east coast for so many years, I was still a LA girl at heart! If there is one thing that has taken me by surprise since my move back to LA is the traffic! Yikes! When I was growing up here, avoiding rush hour was the way to go. However, now, it seems like traffic can happen at all hours!

People aren't buying pianos the way they were a hundred years ago, but that hasn't stopped people from enjoying them. For some, the piano is still and an integral part of everyday life. There are piano tuners and teachers, and piano technicians who repair all the pieces when they break. And we have students who leave the instrument behind, only to make a passionate return to it years later. The Takeaway's John Hockenberry talks to three die-hard piano fans: Martha Taylor, a technician, Natalia Huang, a teacher, and Michael Kimmelman, a brilliant piano player and journalist for the New York Times.

Natalia Huang is the owner and founder of Natalia Huang Piano Studio with two locations in NYC and Greenwich, CT. When a teacher changed her from hating the piano to wanting to make it her career, she knew teaching piano is her calling. With three children under the ages of five (Juliana is 4, William is 2, and Jasmine is 1!), she enjoys the happy chaos everyday.