Born into a family of music educators in Penang, Malaysia, Lyana’s musical journey began at
the age of 3 with piano lessons under both the ABRSM and Yamaha syllabi. At 16, she
earned her Yamaha Grade 5 Teaching Certification and began teaching piano. She later
achieved Distinction in both the ARSM Diploma in Piano Performance and ABRSM Grade 8
Music Theory (2018), and earned her Bachelor of Music in Composition with Highest
Honors from the University of Michigan (2023).
Lyana draws from her passions for piano pedagogy and the integration of music theory to
help students approach both areas in tandem. In 2020, when ABRSM revised its music theory
format during the COVID-19 pandemic, she identified a gap in comprehensive study
materials. In response, she authored her Music Theory Grade 1–5 Practice Test Papers series
and partnered with C & H Music Publishing in 2021 to publish the books. The complete
series was released in 2023 and has since helped students across Malaysia strengthen their
theoretical understanding alongside their practical skills.
In addition to teaching, Lyana is an experienced accompanist, having performed in music
competitions, ABRSM exams, and classical concerts. Her first accompanying experience was
in 2014, playing for a soprano solo in a local competition in Melaka. In 2016, she was
selected to attend Winter Journey, a prestigious music camp in Thailand, where she studied
under Inge Spinette and Loh Siew Tuan. Lyana was honored with the “Most Promising
Accompanist” award despite being the youngest participant. Since then, she has performed
with choirs, jazz bands, orchestras, and fellow university musicians, including accompanying
her own compositions.
These are the skills and experiences that Lyana brings when teaching students of all ages and
levels, emphasising strong technique, music theory, expressive playing, and creative
exploration. Beyond technical proficiency, Lyana seeks to instill in her students a lifelong
love of music. She continues to inspire students to think both analytically and creatively,
helping them build deeper connections with the music they play and appreciate it as a
meaningful part of their live
