Golden Key Piano School’s October 2026 Newsletter

Dear Golden Key Piano School Community,

Happy Fall! We hope you are enjoying your lessons this fall and getting excited for our duet recital soon!

This month, we’re sharing important reminders and introducing new Teachers and Staff!

1. Referral Reminder & Policy

We are proud of the quality lessons we offer, and that’s why most of our students come from referrals. These referrals not only affirm the excellence of our programs but also help us grow our scholarship fund, making music education accessible to more aspiring pianists.

Many thanks for your referrals!

To show our appreciation, for each student that is referred, we will:

• Add $50 to our scholarship fund to make our quality lessons available to a wider community.
• Waive the $45 registration fee for your friend as a welcome gift to our school.
• Send you a thank-you gift of $100.

We appreciate your referrals to your friends. Invite your friends and family for a free 20-minute consultation with Head teacher Katrin here.

2. November Holiday Break

A friendly reminder that there will no lessons during the November Holiday Break which takes place from Tuesday November 24th to Saturday November 28th.

We hope you enjoy the break and holidays!

3. Makeup Policy Reminder

We request at least 48 hour notice when you have to cancel your lesson. The notice has to be by email to the office at goldenkeyberkeley@gmail.com. No communication with the teacher counts as a notice.

The 48 hour notice allows us to offer your lesson time for other students for makeup lessons. And therefore, you get to use other students’ cancelled lessons for your makeup lesson at your convenience. In this way, every student can get their makeup lessons as long as they are registered at the school. This also allows for the teachers schedules’ to remain consistent and we can respect their time.

In short, email us with at least 48 hour notice for your missed lesson and you will be eligible to sign up for a makeup lesson using the makeup link provided.

4. Teacher News

We are honored to announce that Qing and Lauren are joining our Teachers team at Golden Key Piano School!

Meet Our New Piano Teacher — Qing Fan

Qing Fan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and received the academic honor of Distinction in General Scholarship. Her musical education at UC Berkeley deepened her understanding of music through performance, music theory, history, culture, and artistic expression, shaping a perspective that combines intellectual inquiry with artistic sensitivity.

Qing believes that piano education is not only about developing musical skills but also about cultivating effective learning habits and independent thinking. She values a strong technical foundation, progressive learning, and purposeful practice, encouraging students to develop focus, self-discipline, and perseverance through exploration and thoughtful engagement.

Her teaching approach draws on her musical education at UC Berkeley, her study of Russian piano pedagogy, and her familiarity with the MTAC Certificate of Merit curriculum. These experiences have broadened her understanding of different teaching approaches and strengthened her commitment to adapting instruction to each student’s individual needs.

At the heart of her teaching philosophy is the belief that music enriches our inner lives and nurtures qualities that extend far beyond the piano and remain valuable throughout life. Inspired by composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s reflections on music’s ability to enrich the human spirit and reveal life in different colors and sounds, she sees music education as a way to deepen students’ understanding of both music and the world around them.

Qing continues to develop as both a pianist and educator through ongoing study and performance, including a recent recital at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She believes that continued artistic growth enriches her teaching, allowing her to bring fresh musical insights and inspiration to her students.

Qing strives to create a warm, positive, and inspiring learning environment that respects each student’s individuality. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, she is delighted to join Golden Key Piano School and looks forward to sharing her passion for music with students and families, embarking together on a musical journey filled with discovery, growth, and beauty.

Meet Our New Piano Teacher — Lauren Lee

Lauren Lee is a second year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Physics. She has been playing piano for fourteen years. She was a competitive pianist through middle and high school, placing in competitions such as the Southern California Junior Bach Festival Regional and qualifying as a performer for the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Lauren taught piano to young students at a nonprofit organization throughout high school. She loves teaching, and plans to go to graduate school in the future to study to become a professor.

5. Staff News

We are honored to announce that Lauren is joining our Staff team at Golden Key Piano School! Lauren is an addition to our team as an Office Assistant for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays! She will also be helping with our sister school, Manhattan Piano Academy in New York!

From Lauren: Hi everyone,

My name is Lauren Bozman. I’m a recent graduate student from Berkeley City College. I majored in Business Administration and I’m excited to join the Golden Key Piano School as an Office Assistant. I am eager to start my journey and excited to learn more about business and help out the Golden Key Piano School as they expand to their new Manhattan school!

6. A Big Thank You to Mr. Arefi!

It is a very emotional moment for me to announce that my father, Mr. Sadegh Arefi, is about to gradually retire from his work at the school.

My father has been the main pillar of the school for the past 23 years, since its very beginning. His love for children and his dedication to the music education we provide have been a constant source of inspiration for me.

His commitment to maintaining the highest quality of education and community service has been one of the main reasons we are where we are today.

As much as I am happy that my father will now be able to enjoy a more relaxed life without the responsibilities of work, I will deeply miss seeing him at the school. And I know for certain that I am not the only one who will miss his presence.

7. Follow Our Blog

We update our blog with a new post every month, where we post useful insights, advice, and more.

Check the blog here:

The Importance of Duet Piano Recitals