Today we’d like to introduce you to Po Sim Head.
Hi Po Sim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
K.C. guitar and piano was established in 2017 by Ryan and me. We started dating the same year and now we are husband and wife. We are professional musicians who want to share our knowledge and our love of music with everyone!
Ryan and I met at University of Missouri-Kansas City where we studied for our master’s degrees there. Ryan, as a classical guitarist, has been highly regarded for his high degree of musicality and he performs widely from Nebraska to Hong Kong.
Ryan participated in the Aspen Music Festival and School and studied with Grammy-award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin and has completed master’s degree in guitar performance at UMKC where he studied with the renowned guitarist Douglas Niedt and Dr. Braulio Bosi. He has been blessed with a lifelong association with the guitar. In addition to his passion for solo repertoire, he has collaborated with bands, singers, and chamber ensembles. Ryan also has a love for traditional, folk, and Americana music. Especially fingerstyle jazz, ragtime, and piedmont blues.
Born in Hong Kong, Fanny is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Kansas under the instruction of Dr. Scott McBride Smith. In addition to regular performances in Kansas City, Fanny has performed throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. As a musicologist, she has presented at the conferences of the Kansas Music Teacher Association (2020), the College Music Society(2019), Britain and the World(2019), and the Midwest Music Research Collective (2018). She is also a writer for an online magazine Interlude.hk. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, with students ranging in age from 3 to 78. Her students are active participants in piano recitals, festivals, and competitions. Fanny has a thriving studio in Kansas City, where she is an active member of a number of music teacher associations and serves as the coordinator of the Conero International Piano Competition.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since Ryan and I only are not native here in Kansas City, it was a struggle for us to meet ends needs initially. As a person moving all the way from Hong Kong to Kansas City, language and cultural differences were my two major challenges. We are lucky enough that we have met many wonderful people here and we have been introduced and referred for performances and lessons.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Fanny: I am a pianist, a piano teacher, and a musicologist. I am interested in piano pedagogy and I have been working on a project, the scientific piano teacher, with my partner from Poland. I am proud of what I have been building for my career and use my skills to help others to succeed. My studies in musicology and composition have given me more opportunities to interact with different musicians. As a piano teacher, I am proud of all my students who are committed and willing to explore the depth of pianism with me.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Dr. Scott McBride Smith has been my mentor who gives me guidance and advice. Marcy Smalley is a good friend of ours who always supports and helps us. All of our students and their parents deserve credits too as they support us and grow with us.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.kcguitarpiano.com; www.thescientificpianoteacher.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyR8I9lKm1cHl_M-eo0jdQg
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgt2mbaOohOUHeMn0G9pt0g
Image Credits
Juliana Noelle Jumper
