Michelle D

Hello! I'm Michelle, a Vietnamese-Australian pianist currently pursuing an MA in Klavier Konzertfach (2023-present) at the Mozarteum Universität in Salzburg.

Prior to this, I had completed my BMus (Honours) from 2017-2021 at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, Australia. During my studies, music really has truly become the biggest happiness of my life, and I'm excited to be able to share it with others through teaching! 

Since moving to Europe in 2023, I’ve been fortunate enough to have had incredible opportunities to perform in festivals, concerts, and masterclasses such as Haus Marteau, ClaviCologne, and Wolfgang-Sawallisch Musikakademie. It is also with great generosity from several scholarships and grants including the Ian Potter Cultural Trust (2024) and the Recitals Australia Grant (2023) that I've been afforded such avenues to learn and grow.

My teaching experience:  
I began teaching piano at my old studio in 2017 as a student-assistant working closely with beginners and younger students, where I guided them through the basics of music including technique, note-reading, rhythm and singing.

In 2019, I started working with Melbourne Piano School where I was able to have my own 'private studio' and work independently with students of all different levels from 4-60 years of age, some looking to play leisurely with others wanting to focus on academics such as AMEB or University entrance exams. 

After moving to Europe in 2023, I began teaching privately face-to-face as well as online teaching where I am able to teach students with even more variety in their backgrounds, each one with different goals and preferences. Some want to learn song-writing, improvisation, theory, jazz, classical music, ABRSM, and the list goes on.

It's really such a lovely and rewarding position I have as a piano teacher, especially as I am able to watch my students grow into their own voices and become their own independent musicians. 

What you can expect in lessons: 

In our lessons, we’ll take things step by step, always allowing time for information to sink in and technique to develop naturally. Patience is key, we'll often go slow and steady as I have found that music comes most beautifully (and naturally) when we’re present, relaxed, and emotionally connected to the piano.

We'll work on:

- Relaxation and breathing techniques

- Gentle stretches and injury prevention strategies

- Creative games for learning theory and note reading

- Developing a healthy, efficient practice routine tailored to you

- Exploring a wide range of music based on your personal tastes whether that’s classical, pop, or jazz

Every lesson is designed around you and your goals, interests, and pace.

What makes my teaching unique:

My own piano journey is a little unusual - I didn’t begin professional lessons until I was 18 and before that, I was completely self-taught. Today, I’m proud to be pursuing my Master’s in Piano Performance at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg.

Because of this path, I understand the challenges of starting “late,” of overcoming setbacks and of pushing through moments of doubt, having had to analyse and refine my own learning and practice habits intensely. This has given me a deep empathy for students at all levels and a passion for helping them find practise methods that work best for them. 

Most of all, I know what it’s like to fall in love with the piano — to let it become a source of joy, growth, and self-expression. Music has transformed my life, and it’s my biggest hope to share that feeling with others.

Who my lessons are for:

I teach students of all ages and levels from complete beginners to advanced players. Whether you're just starting out or preparing for conservatory auditions, my aim is to meet you where you are and help you grow from there with care, creativity, and joy.