Meet Michael Chung – Maxx Music Piano Teacher

Michael Mingi Chung is a piano teacher with a strong passion for music and education. He enjoys teaching both technical pieces that build strong foundations and expressive pieces that help students develop musicality and emotional expression. Michael focuses on helping students build confidence at the piano while developing solid technique, musical understanding, and a genuine love for music. He aims to create a supportive and enjoyable learning environment where students can grow at their own pace and express themselves through music.

Why did you decide to teach music?

I decided to teach music because I have been playing the piano for a long time and it is something I truly enjoy and understand well. Teaching music feels like a natural fit for me, as it allows me to use my experience to help others learn, grow, and enjoy music. I also love sharing both the technical and expressive sides of piano and helping students gain confidence through their progress.

What made you decide to pursue a career in music?

I decided to pursue a career in music because the piano has been a big part of my life for a long time. As I continued playing and improving, I realised how much I enjoyed not only performing, but also understanding how music works on both a technical and expressive level. Teaching music feels like a natural fit for me, as it allows me to use the skills I’ve built over many years in a meaningful way.

Music has given me confidence, discipline, and a way to express myself, and I wanted to share that with others. Helping students grow and enjoy their progress is incredibly rewarding, and it’s what motivates me to keep teaching.

How did you get into music?

I got into music by learning the piano from a young age, originally encouraged by my parents. Over time, what started as a routine activity gradually became something I genuinely enjoyed rather than just a hobby. As I continued playing, I became interested in both technical pieces that challenge precision and expressive pieces that allow for emotion and musical storytelling.

Through years of practice and learning different styles, my appreciation for music deepened. This long-term experience has shaped the way I approach teaching, helping students understand not just what to play, but how and why music works.

What has been your most rewarding experience as a musician?

My most rewarding experience as a musician has been seeing students gain confidence and enjoyment through music. Watching a student go from struggling with a piece to playing it confidently is incredibly satisfying, especially when they begin to enjoy expressing themselves through the piano.

Knowing that my teaching can positively impact someone’s growth — not just musically, but personally — is what makes music and teaching so fulfilling for me.

What album do you recommend everyone should listen to?

One album I’d recommend everyone listen to is Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) Original Soundtrack by RADWIMPS. I love this album because it blends beautiful melodies with emotional storytelling, and every track feels carefully written to support a bigger picture.

From a musical point of view, it’s a great example of how music can be both expressive and technical at the same time. The themes are memorable, the harmonies are rich, and the emotion comes through clearly without being overwhelming. It’s an album that shows how powerful music can be when it’s used to support feeling, atmosphere, and story — something I really value both as a musician and as a teacher.

Can you share one of your favourite music-related memories?
One of my favourite music-related memories comes from when I was in Korea. There was an after-school piano academy, and I remember constantly hearing students practicing Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 (1st movement). It felt like that piece was everywhere — every room I walked past, someone was playing it.

After hearing it so many times, I think I was slowly (and unintentionally) convinced to learn it myself. That experience stuck with me, and looking back, it was probably one of the moments that really pulled me into piano. Hearing other students play, being surrounded by music every day, and wanting to play what everyone else was playing made piano feel exciting and motivating rather than forced.

What’s your go-to song or artist when you need a boost?

My go-to song when I need a boost is “Love.” by Wave to Earth. I’m drawn to this song because of its calm, atmospheric sound and the way it creates space for reflection rather than trying to be overly loud or intense. It has a relaxed energy that helps me reset and clear my mind.

Musically, I really enjoy how the song balances simplicity with emotion. The groove is subtle, the textures are warm, and everything feels intentional. It’s the kind of song that reminds me that music doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful — something that strongly influences how I approach both playing and teaching music.

What’s a truly unforgettable concert you’ve attended?

The most unforgettable concert I’ve attended was my very first one, seeing wave to earth live. Experiencing their music in a live setting felt completely different from listening at home — the atmosphere, sound, and connection with the audience made it incredibly memorable.

Because it was my first concert, it really stuck with me and deepened my appreciation for live music. It reminded me how powerful music can be when it’s shared in a space with other people, all feeling the same moment together.

What’s your favourite music decade and why?

My favourite music period is the Romantic era, mainly because it’s beautifully dramatic… and incredibly hard. Romantic piano music demands a lot from the performer — big emotions, wide dynamics, fast passages, huge chords, and at the same time complete control and sensitivity.

What makes it fun is that you’re not just playing notes; you’re telling a story. One moment you’re playing something delicate and emotional, and the next you’re battling technical challenges that really test your stamina and precision. That mix of difficulty and expression is what makes Romantic music so exciting to play and why I love working on it — and teaching students how to tackle it without being scared of the challenge.

Have you been inspired to give piano lessons a go?  Book your trial lesson today by calling us on 0298940000 or fill in our enrolment form and one of our friendly lessons team will get back to you.