100: The Teacher Who Shaped Me as a Pianist with Dr. Un-Young Whang

Reaching episode 100 feels surreal, and I couldn’t imagine marking this milestone with anyone else. For this very special episode, I’m joined by the teacher who shaped me as a pianist, Dr. Un-Young Whang, whose guidance, artistry, and mentorship have had a lasting impact on my life and career. This conversation is a full-circle moment as we reflect on teaching, perseverance, and the joy of music across generations.

Rachel shared why episode 100 felt deeply personal and meaningful.
She reflected on how her own piano journey began with curiosity rather than clarity.
Dr. Un-Young shared how her early performing career began at a remarkably young age.
How discipline and structure supported her development as a concert pianist.
The importance of imagination in musical interpretation.
Why storytelling and character shape expressive playing.
The value of perseverance through challenge and transition.
Dr. Un-Young shared how studying abroad shaped her resilience and independence.
How learning from multiple master teachers broadened her artistic voice.
Rachel reflected on how mentorship builds confidence beyond technical skill.
Dr. Un-Young discussed the responsibility teachers have to nurture the whole person.
She highlighted how teaching and performing inform each other in powerful ways.
The importance of joy, warmth, and humor in lessons was reinforced.
Why long-term consistency matters more than short-term results.
Rachel reflected on how her teacher’s influence continues to guide her leadership today.
Dr. Un-Young emphasized that music education is an act of service and generosity.

Links Mentioned

Get your SUPER EARLY BIRD tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.

Today's Guest Dr. Un-Young Whang was born in Seoul, Korea, and began concertizing at 10 years of age as a soloist with Seoul Symphony Orchestra. At 14, she won the Presidential Award for Excellence in piano and received a grant from the Korean government to study abroad. She was accepted as a scholarship student in the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School in New York, where she earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance. She continued her studies under Dr. Robert Pace at Teachers College, Columbia University, earning Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees. Her principal piano teachers were Ania Dorfmann, William Masselos and Ann Schein. She is recently retired from the faculty of Moody Bible Institute where she taught for 35 years. In addition, she was given opportunities by her generous teachers to study with Lillian Kallir, Aube Tzerko, Hebert Stessin, and Leon Fleisher during the summers while she was at Juilliard. About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(127)

127: How to Include Composition in Lessons with Amy Ferguson

Composing isn't just for the musically gifted few, it's a skill every piano student can build with the right guidance. Today, I'm chatting with Amy Ferguson, a piano teacher of over 30 years who calls...

14 Aug 46min

126: When the Rest is the Work

After spending a few days at a retreat with fellow piano teachers, I came home with a completely different perspective on what it means to rest. In this episode, I'm reflecting on why rest isn't just ...

7 Aug 15min

125: Successful In-Home Teaching with Michael Richey

Teaching piano in students' homes isn't a model we hear about very often, but it can be an incredibly successful way to build a studio. In this episode, Michael Richey shares how he grew a thriving mu...

31 Jul 47min

124: What is the Right Way to Teach Group Piano?

After last week's conversation about transitioning to group teaching, I wanted to continue the discussion by exploring what group piano can actually look like. In this episode, I’m sharing the differe...

24 Jul 18min

123: Making the Pivot to Group Teaching with Mandy Goldbach

When I first heard about group teaching, I wondered how it could possibly provide the same individual attention as private lessons. In this episode, Mandy Goldbach shares how she successfully transiti...

17 Jul 34min

122: The Kindred Piano Method with Andrea Humphrey

Every piano method reflects the values behind the person who created it. Today, I'm chatting with Andrea Humphrey to explore the story behind the Kindred Piano Method, a series that blends solid piano...

10 Jul 33min

121: Using Memory Champion Techniques for Note Reading with Rowina Seidler

Helping students become confident note readers is one of the biggest challenges in piano teaching. In this episode, I'm talking with Rowina Seidler about how memory champion techniques inspired the cr...

3 Jul 39min

120: What Happens When Piano Teachers Meet In Person

What happens when piano teachers meet in person? In this episode, I reflect on our first-ever TopMusic Local coffee meetup and share why face-to-face connections can be so valuable for teachers. From ...

26 Jun 13min