ONLINE EDUCATION · WORLDWIDE
Study Piano Online with Dr. Archie Chen
Private lessons, group masterclasses, and self-paced courses taught by a Sony Classical recording artist — available to students anywhere in the world via Zoom and on-demand video.
WHAT WE OFFER
Four Ways to Study with Dr. Chen
Whether you want weekly private lessons, a live masterclass experience, or a self-paced course to revisit at any time — there is a format to suit your goals.
LIVE · ONE-ON-ONE
Piano Pedagogy
Weekly private lessons via Zoom — the full depth of Dr. Chen’s in-person studio teaching, available to students anywhere in the world. Same rigorous curriculum, same fully personalised approach.
Format: Live Zoom · Weekly · Any Level
LIVE · SMALL GROUP
Piano Literature
Join a cohort of 4–6 pianists for an intensive live masterclass. Focused on the Romantic repertoire — Chopin, Liszt, Schumann — and informed directly by Dr. Chen’s own Sony Classical recording sessions.
Format: Live Zoom · Cohort-Based · Intermediate–Advanced
SELF-PACED · VIDEO
Historically Informed Performance Practice
A comprehensive on-demand video course on how to practise piano like a professional — covering deliberate practice methods, memory techniques, managing performance anxiety, and building concert-ready interpretations.
Format: Self-Paced Video · All Levels
SELF-PACED · THEORY
Entrepreneurship
A deep-dive into advanced harmonic analysis — chromatic harmony, voice leading, formal structures, and how analytical understanding transforms musical performance. Ideal for Grade 8+ and university-level students.
Format: Self-Paced Video · Advanced
FEATURED PROGRAMME
The Masterclass in Interpretation
A rare opportunity to receive detailed coaching from an internationally performing concert pianist — in a small, focused group that allows genuine individual attention.
Inside the Romantic Repertoire
Each masterclass session takes a deep look at a specific work — dissecting the score, the harmonic architecture, and the interpretive choices that separate a technically correct performance from a truly compelling one. Dr. Chen draws on insights from his own Sony Classical recording sessions.
Live, Interactive Format
Unlike watching a video lecture, these are live Zoom sessions where participants play, receive direct feedback, and hear their peers coached — an approach proven to accelerate musical growth far more rapidly than private study alone.
Limited Enrolment
Each cohort is capped at 4–6 pianists to ensure every participant receives meaningful engagement time. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
THE PROCESS
Getting Started is Simple
01
Choose Your Course
Browse the course listings above and identify the format that best suits your level, goals, and schedule — from weekly private lessons to self-paced video.
02
Enquire & Enrol
Send a brief enquiry via the contact form — including your current level and any specific goals. Dr. Chen personally responds to confirm availability and next steps.
03
Start Learning
Your first session is scheduled at a time that suits you. For self-paced courses, course access is provided immediately upon enrolment — start at any time.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Archie Chen
Sony Classical Artist · Concert Pianist · Educator
Dr. Archie Chen is a Sony Classical recording artist and internationally active concert pianist whose teaching is shaped entirely by his ongoing life on the concert stage. Unlike instructors who have moved exclusively into academia, Dr. Chen continues to perform, record, and tour — and brings that living, current experience directly into every lesson and course.
His online teaching programme was developed to make that level of instruction accessible beyond Spokane — reaching pianists in cities and countries where concert-calibre teaching is difficult to find. Students from across North America, Europe, and Asia currently study with Dr. Chen online.
All courses are taught or curated by Dr. Chen personally. There are no assistants, no pre-recorded lectures by proxy — only direct, substantive instruction from an artist at the height of his career.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions About Online Piano Courses
Are online piano lessons as effective as in-person lessons?
For the vast majority of students, online piano lessons via Zoom are just as effective as in-person instruction. The key factors — quality of feedback, musical communication, and preparation guidance — translate fully to video. Most of Dr. Chen’s online students notice no meaningful difference in lesson quality.
What equipment do I need for online lessons?
A reliable internet connection, a piano or weighted 88-key keyboard, a device with a camera (laptop or tablet works well), and ideally an external microphone for better audio. Dr. Chen can advise on setup optimisation during your first session.
What level do I need to be for the masterclass?
The Masterclass in Interpretation is designed for intermediate to advanced pianists — broadly Grade 6 through professional level. If you’re unsure whether your level is appropriate, mention your current repertoire in your enquiry and Dr. Chen will advise.
When will the self-paced courses be available?
The self-paced video courses are currently in production. Join the waitlist via the enquiry form to be notified first when enrolment opens, and to receive early-access pricing.
Can I take both private lessons and a masterclass at the same time?
Yes — many students combine weekly private lessons with participation in a masterclass cohort. The two formats are highly complementary: private lessons address individual technique and repertoire, while the masterclass provides the broadened perspective of hearing peers coached.
GET STARTED
Spaces in Dr. Chen’s live courses are limited. Whether you’re ready to enrol or simply want to ask a question — reach out and Dr. Chen will respond personally.