Rong Lucchesi, M.A.

Piano, Theory, Ear-Training Sight-Singing, Piano Accompanying

Miss Rong Lucchesi has been teaching piano for 28 years. Before coming to the US, she studied music for 16 years in her native country of China. While in China, she performed regularly at the US Embassy in Beijing and taught piano at the China Conservatory of music for six years where she also studied and earned her B.A. in both music composition and piano performance. She was the pianist for many performances and recordings with the Sound of Spring Chamber Orchestra. Following her undergraduate studies, Miss Rong worked for the Beijing Dance Academy as a dance accompanist while she prepared for graduate studies in the US. Rong went on to study piano performance with Dr. James Winn at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned M.A. in Piano Performance in 2003. While at UNR, Rong received a graduate teaching assistantship to teach piano to undergraduate students, as well as accompanying singers and instrumentalists. Rong was also a recipient of a graduate music scholarship and Nevada Opera scholarship. In addition to numerous recitals, some of Rong’s performances include “Trail by Jury”, “Sour Angelica” and “Magic Flute” with Nevada Opera and “Carnival of Animals” at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival. After graduation, Rong recorded and published a collection of Chinese classical piano solo pieces and performed them at Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno.

In 2002, Rong began her piano studio to teach youth and adult students of all levels. Rong has been an active member of MTNA and Northern Nevada Music Teachers Association and her students have attended many competitions and festivals including, NNMTA Youth Piano Festival, Silver State Piano Competition, Reno Philharmonic Concerto Competition, MTNA Competition, Steinway Piano Competition, Reno Tahoe Piano Competition, and the Reno Rotary Club Music Contest.

In addition to teaching piano, Rong works as a dance accompanist where she plays for Royal Academy of Dance exams from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2.

Rong’s teaching philosophy is that students must build a solid foundation of both technique and musicianship. To achieve this, it requires the cooperation of the student, the teacher and the parents. Parental involvement in lessons and practice sessions is crucial for making efficient progress. Additionally, attending events such as recitals, festivals and competitions are necessary for student growth. Playing piano in front of audiences is always different from practicing by yourself. Practicing for a performance helps students set goals, and performing in front of audiences build confidence.

Rong has recently moved to North Phoenix and joined PMTA and ASMTA, and is now accepting students from age 5 and up.