Brian Chung has been a featured speaker at national, regional, state and local music conferences for over two decades. If you're searching for a presenter for association gatherings or teacher training, he would be honored to present any of the following sessions for your event:
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LIFE SHAPER OR ARTIST MAKER |
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Described as "an inspirational message that every music teacher in the country should hear," this talk focuses on our primary "calling" as music teachers and reminds us of the incredible impact we have on our world and its future each and every day. (50 minutes) (To view highlights from the in-person LIFE SHAPER OR ARTIST MAKER presentation, click HERE.) |
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CLASSICAL IMPROVISATION (STEP-BY-STEP) |
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Across the ages, improvisation has been an integral part of classical music performance. But many of today’s players have forgotten how to do it. This session provides a fun and systematic way to learn and teach improvisation in the classical style. (60 minutes) (To view highlights from the in-person CLASSICAL IMPROVISATION presentation, click HERE.) |
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JAZZ IMPROVISATION (STEP-BY-STEP) |
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Playing jazz is not as difficult as you may think! By explaining the "4 Magic Scales” and their “Inseparable Chord Partners,” Mr. Chung makes jazz improvising easier for anyone. In this session, all the step-by-step concepts from the Classical Improvisation session will be applied to the jazz style. The basics of playing jazz will become clearer than ever before. (60 minutes) |
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IMPROVISATION AND THE ARRANGER |
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Arrangements are simply improvisations that we put on paper. They’re much easier to create when you have a menu of creative options at your fingertips. This session provides a selection of favorite improvisational “building blocks” for developing useful and interesting piano arrangements for any setting. (60 minutes) |
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Many words come to mind when I think of Brian Chung as a speaker—charismatic, engaging, funny, touching. He has an amazing ability to have his audience laughing uproariously one second and crying the next. Few speakers I’ve ever seen manage to achieve his winning combination of charm, warmth, passion, and humor in such a completely natural and disarming way. He’s one of the most compelling evangelists for the power of music in human life I’ve ever heard—and I use the word "evangelist" for all it’s worth because he fills a room with the evangelic fervor of a great tent revivalist. And I mean that in the best possible way. For all of us who love music, learning, and the magic that happens in life when music and learning are combined, Brian is a national treasure." Dr. Sam Holland (Dean, Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University)
"Few individuals possess the oratorical skills of Brian Chung. He captures audiences immediately with a combination of knowledge, wit and sincerity, coupled with his charming personality and creative delivery. Brian is one of the most requested speakers at MTNA events of all types and at all levels. Every musician, teacher and organization should hear and experience the passionate, positive message of this once in a generation speaker."
Dr. Gary Ingle, Executive Director and CEO, Music Teachers National Association
"It would be impossible to measure the remarkable impact Brian Chung had at our 2023 Pedagogy Conference! His first session, "Life Shaper or Artist Maker," touched our collective soul as we were challenged to re-evaluate our primary role as piano teachers. Brian's enthusiasm, transparency, humor, passion and faith combined to remind us of our high calling to guide each of our students so that they can positively influence others through their love of music. In his second presentation, on the practical, sequential teaching of improvisation, Brian opened the door for our pedagogy students to confidently include improvisation among their teaching strategies. It was also a special delight to hear Brian play two of his fresh, well-crafted piano arrangements! Our students and community teachers continue to reflect on Brian's eye-opening sessions; clearly, they would enjoy hosting him every year! My husband and I will never forget the valuable insights Brian so warm-heartedly shared. He is truly a gifted communicator as well as a treasured friend in this noble profession!
Connie Anderson, Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy, Cedarville University
"I had the privilege of attending Brian Chung’s workshop on “Classical and Jazz Improvisation” at the FSMTA State Conference in Tallahassee, Florida. This was probably one of the most inspiring, engaging and eye-opening workshops I have attended in the past several years! Brian addressed the most essential concepts in improvisation (be it classical or jazz) with an approach which was fun and easy to grasp, particularly for those of us who feel outside the comfort zone when it comes to this skill. His approach used a step-by-step method, which builds on the fundamental blocks to facilitate the process. For those of us who always had the stigma of improvising, his workshop unlocked new ways of approaching improvisation, making it seem 'natural' and lots of fun! Brian is a wonderful teacher who is clearly passionate about his craft. His enthusiasm is contagious!"
Dr. Rose Grace, Associate Professor of Piano, Bethune-Cookman University
“Brian Chung’s session “Life Shaper or Artist Maker” presented a revolutionary way to look at ourselves as music teachers. His inspiring insights tipped the traditional way of reflecting on teaching music upside down. This session was thoroughly affirming and encouraging to our noble profession. I would highly encourage every music teaching convention and conference to hear this session.”
- Dr. Marianne Bryan, Past President of Minnesota Music Teachers Association
"Brian's presentations on improvisation and musical careers were hands-down two of the most exciting and interesting ones we've ever had. Our students were raving about them afterwards. He communicated so many inspiring insights that we will remember forever. His energy is SO positive -- and it is so inspiring to see how much he CARES and LOVES what he does."
Dr. Grace Fong, Chair, Piano Department, Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, Chapman University
"Life Shaper or Artist Maker" ExcerptsKey points from the live presentation of "Life Shaper or Artist Maker"
"Classical Improvisation" ExcerptsHighlights from the live presentation of "Classical Improvisation"
Are Virtual Presentations Effective?
"We just can't stop talking about what incredible online sessions you delivered today and what an amazing impact they are already having! Our teachers have been writing us all day about how inspired they are to make a difference in their students' lives. One teacher whom we are recruiting accepted our job offer this evening and specifically mentioned your workshop as really showing him that Orpheus Academy was the right place for him. I added two improvisation activities with a four-year-old student this afternoon where I showed him how to improvise with his dad on these little step bells on repeated notes while my student improvises on guitar. They loved it! So much I could say, but I will just leave it at THANK YOU. You have made a huge impact at Orpheus!"
- Klondike Steadman and Wendy Kuo (Owners, Orpheus Academy, Austin TX)
Brian Chung on Virtual Speaking.
"Thank you for reminding me of the impact that we music teachers can have on our students! I was tearing up after 'Life Shaper or Artist Maker' thinking about my first voice teacher who inspired me to pursue singing. Your model of gratitude toward your first piano teacher is inspiring.
Your improvisation workshop was phenomenal! I could not wait to try improvising with my students. After the workshop, I went over to my piano and asked my younger sister (a flute student) to join me in your suggested exercises. She actually said she had fun (which she does not say often). I have never seen her be so creative musically before. I did not know the joy I could experience from hearing these musical ideas coming from my sister's head! They might not have been revealed to me without the 'musical conversation' exercise you described. I will definitely make this a regular event with my family as well as with my students!"
- Megan Barham (Voice Teacher)
"Your 'Life Shaper or Artist Maker' talk was extremely moving and inspirational! And your 'Classical Improvisation' talk was so enriching and educational! I love your systematic approach to teaching improvisation. The Zoom platform worked great! Both the sound and images were very clear. Plus, because of Zoom, I was able to try out everything on the piano as you presented each improvising step, and was able to make screenshots from your various slides. I hope to hear you speak again sometime soon!
- Ruth Sacks (Music Teacher)
Contact Brian Chung for your event: [email protected] or 310-920-8420