ATTENTION GRABBING HEADLINE
I'm Michelle. I help pianists build the technique, musicality, and confidence to perform at their best, without the frustration of practice that goes nowhere.
With a Master's in Piano Performance and over 20 years of teaching experience, I work with students of all ages and levels: from beginners building their first solid habits, to RCM candidates preparing for exams, to adults returning to the instrument who want to finally feel at ease at the keyboard.
Technique that frees you.
Musicality that moves people.
My Approach
Healthy technique that is integrated with musical expression is the foundation of everything I teach. Early in my own training, an overuse injury pushed me to dig deep into piano pedagogy, sports medicine, and performance psychology. This research that reshaped how I understood the instrument, and that I now bring directly into every lesson.
That's why my teaching centers on the whole player: a healthy, free relationship between the whole body (not just the arm, shoulder, and wrist); musicality and phrasing that go beyond "correct notes"; and the mindset tools to walk into a practice room or onto a stage feeling capable rather than anxious.
I want every student to leave a lesson with two things: a clearer sense of how to practice, and a little more confidence than they walked in with.
Wondering if lessons are the right fit?
Don't know how to practice a passage? I'll break it down with you, step by step.
Feeling like your technique has gaps? Let's find them, fill them in, and understand why. We'll explore how to use the whole body (not just the arm, shoulder, and wrist) from the inside out.
Preparing for an RCM exam? I'm a registered RCM teacher and examiner, so I know exactly what's being assessed.
Feeling stuck or insecure in your playing? Missing that "je ne sais quoi"? We'll dig into fundamental concepts like phrase grouping, beat hierarchy, sound production, and musical intention, so you can bridge the gap between the mind and the felt sense of the music you're imagining.
Tired of decoding music instead of playing it? We'll build sightreading and musicianship from the ground up.
New to piano and want to start right? Let's build a strong foundation from day one.
My students learn how to adopt a growth mindset and empowering habits that help them achieve the technique and musicality that help them perform at their best. I will help you break down the steps and mindsets on how to approach challenges so you’ll never go into your practicing feeling lost and helpless. My lessons will help you learn how to learn so that you’ll be able to stand confidently in the practice room or on stage! When a musician knows how to combine a healthy mindset with the tools to tackle any challenge, they become an unstoppable musician capable of expressing themselves in their music freely.
Testimonials
I've had the pleasure of working with Michelle for the last couple of years to fulfill my dream of becoming a piano player.
As an adult student she is very conscious of my needs and her passion for
Music makes for a wonderful learning environment both in person and online.
My success as a piano student would not be as productive if it were not for her professionalism and great communication skills mixed in with a lot of patience.
She made learning a topic like music theory into a fun and interactive experience, which I have enjoyed tremendously and look forward to learning more.
-STEPHAN, ADULT STUDENT
Michelle Lau holds an Undergraduate and Master's degree in Piano Performance and Literature from Western University, where she received the Dr. Sherwood Fox Music Fellowship for excellence in performance. She has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist across Ontario and in France, and has studied with pedagogues including Dianne Werner, Jean-Paul Sevilla, Jean-François Latour, and Madeline Bruser.
With 20 years of teaching experience, Michelle is a registered teacher and examiner with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has adjudicated at competitions including OMFA's Provincial Finals and the Toronto Kiwanis Festival. Her teaching combines technical precision with a creative, holistic approach, integrating imagination, critical thinking, and performance psychology to develop expressive, confident musicians. She has also taught in high school conducting programs, presented masterclasses, and taught musicianship at Western University.
Michelle is the founder of theOpenScore, a digital educational resource for musicians of all levels. Her educational videos, blogs, and podcasts have grown a combined social following of nearly 50,000 across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. theOpenScore is built around a healthy musician community, sharing practical tools on performance wellness, piano technique, and practice strategy, and has led to collaborations with brands including Henle, Soundbrenner, Tonebase, and Minnuedo.