Teacher Profile: Sunju Tomatz
About Sunju Tomatz
Sunju is a Northern Virginia based Private Piano Instructor. She is a passionate, patient, and practiced teacher who loves to see her students' musical talents flourish. She applies a gentle, kind, and constructive teaching methodology that focuses on building sound musical fundamentals from the first lesson. Sunju is well-versed in teaching both the theory and the techniques principles that will foster independence in her students and a foundation that can be built upon for a lifetime!
In the realm of literature for students, Sunju enjoys incorporating exercises from Beyer and Hanon, especially, and she has seen firsthand the transformative effect they have had on her students. Her favorite pieces for students range from Faber and Alfred method books to Mozart and Beethoven sonatas. As an avid learner herself, Sunju also researches the latest in modern piano pedagogy to make lessons fun and rewarding for her students. No matter the age or the skill level, Sunju is adept at assigning the most suitable material for a student’s proficiency. She is deeply dedicated to the success of her pupils and operates under a single unifying principle: never give up on a student.
Sunju was born in South Korea, where she began playing piano at the age of five. Growing up, she was awarded a litany of prestigious awards, including three grand prizes at Korea’s National Piano Competition. After graduating with a degree in Classical Piano from Korea Art High School, she went to China to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature. During that time, she taught both Piano and English. She cultivated a rich understanding of the best ways to teach children, teenagers, and adults through this experience and learned that excellent instruction - no matter the subject - requires an empathetic approach rooted in connecting with each individual student.
Sunju’s goal for all her students is to form a special bond and help them explore the world of music through piano. She is excited to help her students start, elevate, and succeed in their musical journey.