Credentials

About

Dr. Furee Sung’s professional foundation is a rare synthesis of four core disciplines, uniting artistry, science, and humanistic care:

Her early dedication was recognized with six consecutive years of full-tuition scholarships through her graduate and doctoral studies in the United States. Tracing a path from deep classical traditions to the forefront of modern scientific research, she has expanded her expertise into broader interdisciplinary fields, bringing a richer and more holistic perspective to her teaching. By embracing music’s uniquely interactive process, Dr. Sung is committed to tailoring a profound learning journey for every student, unlocking their fuller musical potential and its wide-ranging benefits.

Welcoming New Students

Recently relocated to West Vancouver following a highly praised piano masterclass in Ottawa, Sung continues to offer her premier service—exceptional studio piano teaching. She looks forward to connecting with the community through her unique, interactive, and joyful approach to piano instruction.

The Performer

As a solo pianist, Sung’s virtuosity has been marked by notable victories in performance awards. She claimed the top honor in the 2006 Mozart Piano Concerto Competition, captivating audiences alongside the Michigan State University (MSU) Philharmonic Orchestra. In the Annual Graduate Exhibition Competitions at Penn State University (PSU), Sung secured first prize and a cash award twice, in 2002 and 2003, triumphing over competitors from all music and theatre arts categories. Her performances were heard in the master classes with Rebecca Penneys, Steven Glaser, Christine Fisher, and Nicole Narboni. Sung has concertized as a solo and chamber pianist in the United States, Hong Kong and Macau. She also appeared as a concerto soloist with the Hong Kong Stage Ensemble Orchestra in a Double Concerto for Piano and Clarinet written by a contemporary Hong Kong composer.

The Teacher

While Sung's pianistic mastery was significantly shaped under the tutelage of Prof. Panayis Lyras, Prof. Steven Smith, and Dr. Siu-wan Chair Fang, her mentorship by renowned pedagogues Dr. Timothy Shafer and Dr. Midori Koga has further planted new seeds and critical insights in her teaching. This mentorship solidified her commitment to state-of-the-art, innovative, and holistic approaches to guiding students from beginner to professional levels. Actively participating in international conferences, including the Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) and the National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP), Sung's enhancement in pedagogy also encompasses Dalcroze workshops at the Dalcroze School of the Rockies in 2020 and 2019, the Institute for Jaques-Dalcroze Education, LLC in 2012, Carnegie Mellon University in 2010 and 2006, Tokyo College of Music in 2008, and the University of Michigan in 2003, in addition to involvement in the preparatory piano programs conducted by MSU and PSU.

Bridging Science and Art

Perhaps what sets Sung apart is her recent interdisciplinary endeavor into music performance and pedagogy through the lenses of psychology, health science, and neuroscience. The scientific research encountered during her pursuit of Music & Cognition profile at the University of Ottawa has generated new perspectives that complement intuition and tradition from the great masters with rationality, bridging the gaps between lived musical experience and science in the realms and piano performance and pedagogy. While evidence-based knowledge unlocks new dimensions in addressing practical concerns among musicians, her practical experiences, such as weekly observations of the Dalcroze-based music and movement classes conducted in the hospitals for in-patient and outpatient participants, co-organized by the Music health and Research Institute, also broaden her insights through hands-on application, meaningfully enhancing the connection between science, music, and real-world issues. Sung's curiosity persistently drives and refines her music strategies and extends her teaching-related skills to more specialized contexts—using neuroscience to inform improvisation, designing multi-tasking musical interventions to enhance physical and cognitive well-being for aging populations, applying performance psychology to build resilience against anxiety, and providing tailored support for students with exceptionalities.

Beyond the Studio

In and beyond academia, Sung imparts her insights to the community through masterclasses, lecture recitals, adjudicating competitions, examination juries, concert performances, and over 20 years of private studio piano teaching. She has conducted masterclasses in Canada and Hong Kong, performed lecture recitals at the esteemed Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist University, as well as a solo program and interview recorded for Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4. She also served as a jury examiner for the Education University of Hong Kong and conducted engaging piano pedagogy workshops for budding piano teachers at the Community Arts and Sports School in the Education University of Hong Kong. Her artistic spirit extends to collaborations and recordings with the Youth Ensemble Group in the Hong Kong Children’s Choir reflect her commitment to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive musical community. Her teaching excellence was also recognized with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Teaching Award at the prestigious Youth Barenboim Music Festival.

If you are looking for a truly enriching and effective piano education for yourself or your child, I invite you to get in touch. Let's discuss how we can build a profound and personal learning journey together.