Piano Teacher in Mountain View, California
Instrument: Piano
Location: Mountain View, California, United States
Studio: Nova Music Studio
Role: Founder & Head Faculty
Teaching Experience: More than 10 years
Education: M.M. in Piano Performance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
About Zhiyu Xu
Conservatory-trained pianist and pedagogue with advanced training in the United States and China, international artistic experience in the United Kingdom, and more than 10 years of teaching experience. Holds an M.M. in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Sharon Mann, and a B.A. in Piano Performance from Xinghai Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Tiandong Huang. As Founder and Head Faculty of Nova Music Studio, she has guided students in competition preparation since 2021, developing performers through rigorous work in technique, stylistic understanding, musical expression, and stage readiness.
EDUCATION & ARTISTIC TRAINING
M.M. Piano Performance
San Francisco Conservatory of Music — San Francisco, California
Principal teacher: Sharon Mann
B.A. Piano Performance
Xinghai Conservatory of Music — Guangzhou, China
Principal teacher: Tiandong Huang, Associate Professor of Piano; President, Guangdong Piano Association
International Training
Music festival participation and master-class study in the United Kingdom
PERFORMANCE, HONORS & PROFESSIONAL STANDING
- Prizewinner — International Piano Competition of Macau
- Prizewinner — Concerto Competition, Xinghai Conservatory of Music
- Solo and collaborative performance experience in numerous concerts
- Member — Chinese Music Teachers Association of Northern California
PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP & COMPETITION RECORD
Founder & Head Faculty, Nova Music Studio — Mountain View, California
- More than 10 years of teaching experience across levels; students have participated in piano competitions continuously since 2021.
- Prepares students for competitive performance, annual recitals, ABRSM graded examinations, and Certificate of Merit (CM) evaluations.Selected recent student results
Year
Competition
Result
2026
United States Open Music Competition
1st Place
2026
New York “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition
First Prize
2026
San Francisco International Piano Competition — Youth II
Second Prize
2026
San Francisco International Piano Competition — Youth I
Third Prize
2025
American Protégé International Music Talent Competition
Second Place
Charleston International Music Competition Teacher Partner
Zhiyu Xu is featured in the official Charleston International Music Competition Teacher Directory as part of the CIMC Teacher Partner Program.