We are fortunate to have the Eastman School, a world class music school, here in Rochester. Having Gary Kong, a graduate from such an esteemed program, teach me and my children is incredible! I
originally went to Gary to have my kids start learning the piano, and I'm glad I did. He is a fantastic teacher for children because he makes sure that they learn how to play correctly right from the
start. He works with kids at their level, shows patience, and strikes a good balance of pushing students to improve and acknowledging and praising their accomplishments. He also makes sure his
students are prepared and set up for success at recitals. Watching him work with my children, inspired me to learn piano as an adult student. I have found that Gary's skill as a teacher allows him to
work with adult students just as well as he does with kids. Working with him, I am not only learning to play the piano, but also basic music theory, music history, and the artistic language of music
in general. Gary's deep knowledge of both playing piano and music theory allows him to teach using several different approaches, so if I am confused, he can explain it multiple ways. He also
provides specific practice techniques that help me when I get stuck on part of a piece. When I am learning a new piece, his experience allows him to highlight parts that will be tricky, and he makes
sure I know how to practice each piece correctly. Gary's lesson space is clean and comfortable for both students and parents. His flexibility and website make it easy to change a lesson time for
those weeks when life gets in the way. He is a knowledgeable and patient teacher.
- Steven and Elizabeth Tickell (Brighton, NY)
My son has been with Gary Kong’s Studio for many years until he went to the Nazareth College
for his music study, a Composition major, in August 2019. Before entering the college, there
were auditions! As a parent, I was really nervous about the college auditions! I do not have any
music background and I am really clueless as how my son would get prepared for the auditions!
With God’s grace, Gary always comforted me that he would be my son’s helper. Indeed, Gary
was able to guide my son steps by steps for the auditions! With big picture under control, Gary
is also details oriented! Gary always listened carefully to my son’s audition music and pointed
out things to be improved. With his knowledge, skill and patience, above all - his compassion for
ddddddddddddddsuccess of his music students, Gary Kong is highly recommended for all music lovers!
Our three children have been with Gary Kong’s Piano Studio for several years. We are very pleased with the skills, knowledge and progress which he has imparted to our children. Gary is a very
attentive teacher to his students and has much patience in teaching the many details involved with music. He often will offer anecdotes and historical background during the lessons which he is
teaching. This brings another dimension to the lesson which in turn makes it memorable and fun. Gary is a professional with
clear goals in mind when he approaches his lessons with the students. Our children enjoy their time with Gary and have fun with it. He does not place undue pressure on his students and wants to
make sure that they enjoy learning the language of music. Gary has also been flexible with scheduling when necessary which is important when you have multiple activities with multiple children. All
teachers are not equal. We have had some negative experiences with some previous teachers and Gary has been
great for our family. I would highly recommend Gary Kong to anyone who would like to learn how to play piano.
- Paul and Margaret VanHeyningen (Webster, NY)
My son has been with Gary Kong’s Studio for many years until he went to the Nazareth College
for his music study, a Composition major, in August 2019. Before entering the college, there
were auditions! As a parent, I was really nervous about the college auditions! I do not have any
music background and I am really clueless as how my son would get prepared for the auditions!
With God’s grace, Gary always comforted me that he would be my son’s helper. Indeed, Gary
was able to guide my son steps by steps for the auditions! With big picture under control, Gary
is also details oriented! Gary always listened carefully to my son’s audition music and pointed
out things to be improved. With his knowledge, skill and patience, above all - his compassion for
success of his music students, Gary Kong is highly recommended for all music lovers!
My son has been with Gary Kong’s Studio for many years until he went to the Nazareth College for his music study, a Composition major, in August 2019. Before entering the college, there were auditions! As a parent, I was really nervous about the college auditions! I do not have any music background and I am really clueless as how my son would get prepared for the auditions! With God’s grace, Gary always comforted me that he would be my son’s helper. Indeed, Gary was able to guide my son steps by steps for the auditions! With big picture under control, Gary is also details oriented! Gary always listened carefully to my son’s audition music and pointed out things to be improved. With his knowledge, skill and patience, above all - his compassion for success of his music students, Gary Kong is highly recommended for all music lovers!
- Belinda Chen (Henrietta, NY)
My son has been with Gary Kong’s Studio for many years until he went to the Nazareth College
for his music study, a Composition major, in August 2019. Before entering the college, there
were auditions! As a parent, I was really nervous about the college auditions! I do not have any
music background and I am really clueless as how my son would get prepared for the auditions!
With God’s grace, Gary always comforted me that he would be my son’s helper. Indeed, Gary
was able to guide my son steps by steps for the auditions! With big picture under control, Gary
is also details oriented! Gary always listened carefully to my son’s audition music and pointed
out things to be improved. With his knowledge, skill and patience, above all - his compassion for
success of his music students, Gary Kong is highly recommended for all music lovers
My son has been with Gary Kong’s Stddddddd for many years until he went to the Nazareth College
for his music study, a Composition major, in August 2019. Before entering the college, there
were auditions! As a parent, I was really nervous about the college auditions! I do not have any
music background and I am really clueless as how my son would get prepared for the auditions!
With God’s grace, Gary always comforted me that he would be my son’s helper. Indeed, Gary
was able to guide my son steps by steps for the auditions! With big picture under control, Gary
is also details oriented! Gary always listened carefully to my son’s audition music and pointed
out thi
success of his music students, Gary Kong is highly recommended for all music lovers!
Gary has been my piano teacher for five years. I started taking lessons at age 67 after a hiatus of over fifty years. I attended Hochstein as a child, but school, work, and family prevailed for
the use of my time for many years, and my piano skills remained at an elementary level. Gary has taught me that one has to want to learn to play the piano and be willing to put in the time in daily
practice before any measurable progress ensues; and to realize that learning piano is a process lasting years, even a lifetime. Gary is pleased when a student succeeds in the learning process and
takes on new challenges. Thanks to Gary’s patient teaching style, I have improved my music reading skill, learned new technical skills, expanded my repertoire, and am now “learning how to learn” new
material.
- Alan Stiehler (Rochester, NY)
Gary Kong has been my son's piano teacher for the past 2 1/2 years. Within that short amount of time, my son learned not only to understand and implement good piano technique, but to grow
in his confidence of playing the piano for himself and others. Gary is patient and friendly. He genuinely cares about his students and connects well with them during lesson time. I
appreciate Gary's timely communications and flexibility in adjusting lesson times. My son's school commitments often interfered with scheduled lesson times. Gary often changed lesson
times to accommodate conflicts of schedule. Gary is a very positive and encouraging piano teacher whom I highly recommend to anyone considering taking piano lessons!
- Kristin Sumarsono (Victor, NY)
Gary makes me feel very comfortable playing and makes me feel I will be able to accomplish my goals.
- Margaret B. (Fairport, NY)
Gary has been teaching my two kids and me for approximately 3 years. He is a great teacher, who can comfortably individualize his approach to different ages, personalities, and interests. He
always takes the time to talk about any new piece, discussing the historical background of the composer, the piece and its place in the composer's body of work. As an adult, I personally found his
instruction extremely helpful in developing my technique of playing. Highly recommended!
- Tibor Becske (Webster, NY)
Gary is patient with my 7 year old, and uses interactives to make learning fun. My son is excited to attend his lesson each week. Gary is an excellent teacher and is highly recommended.
- L. Bedell (Rochester, NY)
Gary is great! He has been teaching our children for years. They learn from him and most importantly they now enjoy the piano and stick with the lessons.
- Anonymous parent (Brighton, NY)
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