October Update: Message from the Founders

Issei Herr and Stephanie Zi Yi Yang

“Music is a vital and life-giving means of expression. Whether one plays an instrument for pleasure, or is an avid listener, music has the ability to shape our souls, and the power to transform and enrich our lives.”

Co-Founders Issei Herr and Stephanie Zi Yi Yang

Since opening our doors in March of this year, we have been pleased and privileged to be able to continue sharing music with students all over the world through the aid of incredible technology. Online lessons have allowed us to expand beyond our center of New York, and opened up possibilities of reaching students all across the world. Meanwhile, we’ve adapted our philosophy of building community and encouraging creativity to an online space, from our virtual concerts for the DOROT USA community to our video project for healthcare workers.

This pandemic has been with its incredible difficulties, but in many ways has brought us all closer to what is most important and meaningful to us. As musicians, it has reinforced the idea that music is a vital and life-giving means of expression. Whether one plays an instrument for pleasure, or is an avid listener, music has the ability to shape our souls, and the power to transform and enrich our lives.

We were touched to hear a story that was recently shared us by one of our student’s parents. When asked why she chose to enroll her daughter in piano lessons at an early age, the mother replied: “My hope is that someday in her twenties, she may sit at her piano during a quiet afternoon and express her thoughts and emotions through music.” It is this close personal connection to music that we hope to continue to instill within all of our students, of all ages and levels across the world. The timeless power of music continues to be conveyed through the innovations of modern technology, as we all shift and readjust ourselves amidst a global pandemic.

“… My hope is that someday in her twenties, my daughter may sit at her piano during a quiet afternoon and express her thoughts and emotions through music.”

- A Circle Circle Arts parent