1V1 PRIVATE PIANO LESSON/MUSIC THEORY
Steinway & Sons Top Teacher
DMA, University of Southern California -- Thornton School of Music
MM, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
BM, New England Conservatory of Music
Dr. Sarah J. Gao has been teaching piano since 2012, working with students of all ages and levels in both piano and music theory. Her teaching is grounded in technical clarity, musical understanding, and the cultivation of each student’s individual artistic voice. She is deeply committed to helping students grow not only as pianists, but also as thoughtful, confident, and expressive musicians.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Dr. Gao has guided students to achieve recognition in competitions, gain admission to leading institutions, and participate in distinguished young artist music festivals. Her students have received top prizes in national and international competitions, including the Silicon Valley Open Door, US New Star International Piano Competition, Golden Classical Piano Competition, America Protégé Piano Competition, and US Open Music Competition. Students of Dr. Gao have also been admitted to institutions such as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Manhattan School of Music.
In addition to her teaching, Dr. Gao is an active pianist, educator, and arts leader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her broad experience as a performer, teacher, and founder of major piano programs informs a teaching approach that combines high artistic standards with individualized guidance and care. She currently offers private piano lessons and music theory instruction for students ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
Studio Location: Mountain View
Please contact sarahgpianostudio@gmail.com for inquiries.
STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS
STUDENTS RECENT PIANO COMPETITIONS ACHIEVEMENTS
2026, Honorable Mention, Silicon Valley Open Door Piano Competition (Age 11-14)
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, WPTA Australia Competition (Age 7 and under)
2026, 1st Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of 20th-21st century Elementary
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Showcase Piano Solo Preparatory
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Romantic Composers Intermediate
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Romantic Composers Elementary
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Baroque Composers Junior
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Baroque Composers Intermediate
2026, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of 20th-21st century Junior
2025, 3rd Prize Winner, Ocean Music International Piano Competition
2025,1st Place Winner, Golden Classical International Piano Competition
2025, 1st Prize Winner, Charleston International Piano Competition (Age 11-12)
2025, 1st Place Winner, Weber State University Piano Competition (Grade 4-6 Division)
2025, 2nd Place Winner, American Protégé Music Competition
2025, 1st Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Best Outstanding Gold Medalist ($300 USD) Elementary
2025, 1st Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of 20th-21st century Elementary
2025, 1st Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Romantic Composers Intermediate
2025, 1st Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of 20th-21st century Elementary
2025, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Romantic Composers Junior
2025, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Romantic Composers Elementary
2025, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Treasury of Baroque Composers Advanced
2025, 2nd Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Showcase Piano Duet Ensemble Junior
2025, 4th Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Showcase Piano Solo Junior
2025, 4th Prize Winner, US Open Music Competition -- Showcase Piano Solo Preparatory
2025, Finalists, Silicon Valley Open Door Piano Competition (Age 11-14)
2024, Silver Prize Winner -- Pacific International Piano Competition
2024, First Prize Winner -- Golden Classical Piano Competition
2024, First Prize Winner -- The Royal International Piano Competition
2024, First Prize Winner -- American Protégé Music Competition
2024, Bronze Prize Winner -- San Francisco International Piano Competition
COLLEGE AUDITIONS
California Institute of Technology (Biology & Piano)
Brown University (Physics & Piano)
University of California -- Davis (Biology & Piano)
San Francisco Conservatory of Music (Piano Performance)
Manhattan School of Music (Piano Performance)
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College (Piano Performance)
Please contact sarahgpianostudio@gmail.com for inquiries.
SG Piano Studio
SG Piano Studio
Liszt S.144/3 Un Sospiro 3 Concert Études
N.Kapustin - Etude No.1, Op.40 "Prelude"
Zhiyu Bryson Su - Paganini Etude No.6 A Minor and Sonata No.8 "Pathétique" | 2025 Classical Music
