ABOUT US

Four Hands Piano Studio was founded by the husband and wife team of John Basel and Dr. Yuway Chan-Basel. We met in 2010, at Bowling Green State University while both pursing piano performance degrees. we eventually settled in Hilliard, OH in 2018.

At Four Hands Piano Studio, our mission is driven by a deep commitment to nurturing well-rounded musicians. We believe that musical expression, technical efficiency, and effective practice are the cornerstones of musical excellence. Our goal is to instill in our students not just the ability to play notes but the art of conveying emotions through music. We emphasize technical proficiency to empower our students to tackle pieces with confidence and ease. We train students how to practice more effectivly, as we believe that purposeful, mindful practice is the key to unlocking one's full musical potential. By focusing on these aspects, we aim to empower our students to become not only skilled pianists but also passionate and expressive musicians who can captivate hearts and minds through their music.

Dr. Yuway Chan-Basel

From the very beginning, my journey with the piano has been a harmonious blend of passion and persistence. It all started when my father brought home a small piano and taught me a few tunes. I was captivated by the enchanting world of music, losing myself for hours at the keys. Recognizing my growing fascination, my parents decided to provide me with formal piano lessons. Before college, my musical interest had its ups and downs, but my parents encouraged me to persist. Eventually, my dedication paid off, and I was accepted into a prestigious music program. It was during this period that I became a self-motivated pianist. Tackling Chopin's Ballade No. 1, a pivotal piece, revealed my untapped potential and ignited my desire to refine my piano skills.

My unyielding drive to learn took me to the United States, where I was accepted into Bowling Green State University with a scholarship and graduate assistantship. During my studies there I met my husband. Later, I pursued a doctorate in piano at Texas Tech University, where I was awarded the coveted Helen DeVitt Jones Teaching Award. It was here that I had the privilege of studying under the guidance of Dr. William Westney, the author of "The Perfect Wrong Note." Under his mentorship, I acquired a more relaxed and healthy piano technique, gained insights into the mental aspects of development and performance, and developed a more confident and refined playing style. Dr. Carla Cash also introduced me to the world of music research, teaching me how to apply scientific methods to piano learning.

Now, as a full-time piano teacher, I take immense pleasure in arranging and composing music for my students. I have even begun creating my own piano method.

My teaching philosophy centers on self-expression and self-discovery. I firmly believe that music transcends the mere notes on a page; it tells a story and conveys emotions. My primary goal is to empower my students with the capacity, confidence, and comfort to express themselves through their piano playing. I strive to help my students discover and nurture their potential through dedication and hard work.

Bachelor of Music from University of Newcastle: Austrailia | Piano Performance (2006)
Master of Music from Bowling Green State University | Piano Performance (2011)
Doctor of Musical Arts from Texas Tech University | Piano Pedagogy
Teaching Experience | 16+ years

John Basel

My piano playing journey began with both my brothers while in elementary school. We all took lessons together but unfortunately stopped after just few years. I remember almost nothing from those years and never thought I would become a pianist. My real love for music began with the guitar, and rock music, when I was around 14 year old. I was drawn to the piano and classical music after hearing a prelude by Rachmaninoff. A few years later I had fallen in love with the instrument and with the help of a great teacher, and an enormous amount of time and effort, I was able to study piano for my bachelors degree.

I attended Bowling Green State University and graduated with degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy in 2011. And studied with professors Winston Choi and Thomas Rosenkranz. That is also where I met my future wife, Yuway. I studied with Urial Tsachor at the University of Iowa, where I received a scholarship and was a Teaching Assistant from 2011 - 2013 and graduated with a Masters in Piano Performance in 2013. I have been teaching privately since then. It was really only when I studied Urial Tsachor that I truly grasped what I consider a healthy piano technique. Afterwards, I was able to play better and communicate my musical ideas with clarity and precision.

I currently teach a full studio and serve as Pianist and Contemporary Worship Leader for All Shepherds Lutheran Church in Lewis Center, OH. In addition to my love of learning works and performing on the piano, I also arrange and compose.

Music, at its core, is a means of self-expression, and the ability to convey that expression hinges on technical proficiency. I am deeply committed to teaching my students to play with grace and confidence from their very first lesson. Through years of teaching, I have come to realize that this approach is not only possible but essential. As a piano teacher, my goal is to empower my students to express themselves beautifully and effortlessly, ensuring that their musical journey is both fulfilling and inspiring.

Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University | Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy (2010)
Master of Arts from University of Iowa | Piano Performance (2013)
Teaching Experience | 13+ years