About Us
At the New Heart Christian School of Music, we believe in the power of music to transform lives. Since 1997, our music school has been conducting private lessons, group classes, camps, and performance opportunities to help students of all ages grow and develop their musical talents. Our philosophy is simple - we teach with love and patience, we provide a fun and educational experience, and we build bridges to the community through our music. Whether you are just starting out or looking to build on the skills you already have, we are here to help you on your musical journey.
Our spacious music school features 10 individual lesson rooms, 3 classrooms, and a recital hall. Our facilities allow us to hold student recitals, Christian music festivals, and special events. Find out more about our teachers below, and feel free to contact us to schedule a tour - we'd be glad to show you around and answer any questions you may have!
Meet Our Teachers
Joshua Chua
Piano
Born in Malaysia, Joshua started his musical training at the age of five and received his master's degree in collaborative piano performance from the Moores School of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Hester. He has over 16 years of teaching experience and has helped numerous students achieve exceptional results in A.B.R.S.M. musical exams. An experienced church pianist, he has also taught and led workshops in various churches in Houston and Asia.
Samuel Cho
Cello & Piano
Samuel received his Master of Musical Arts from Conservatory and Dance at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where he was a graduate assistant. As an educator, he has served on the music faculty at St. Mary's Academy, the String Sprouts program, and the Savannah Country Day School. He has also taught music at Triplains public school in Kansas, and has over 20 years of experience teaching group classes and private lessons.
Jon Li
Violin
Jon received his bachelor's degree in Music Theory from the University of Texas at Austin. He was concertmaster of Region Middle and High School Orchestras, performed in Texas All-State Orchestras, and soloed with the Houston Civic Symphony. With over 20 years of teaching experience, his passion is to see students grow not only in their musical skills but in their confidence and character. He has an energetic and patient teaching style, and encourages his students to find joy in music making through a focus on technique and artistry.
Phoebe Wang
Violin & Viola
Phoebe received her Master of Music at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of Victoria Chiang. She has had the privilege of soloing with the Cairn University Symphony Orchestra as principal violist in the Peabody Modern Orchestra. She has also performed with the Jacksonville Symphony and received the Olga Von Hartz Memorial Prize in Strings, nominated by the strings faculty. In addition to teaching and performing, she enjoys singing in her church choir and serving as a worship leader and pianist.
Dr. Gustavo Bianchi
Piano
Dr. Bianchi received his doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. In 2012, he received the Outstanding pre-college teaching achievement award from the Austin Music Teachers Association, and has performed and taught masterclasses in universities across the U.S. His lessons incorporate all styles of music, but focuses on classical genres with an emphasis on technique, theory, ear training, and musicality. He has a flexible and creative approach to teaching that is tailored to each student's needs and keeps students engaged.
Karen Lo
Voice
Karen received her Bachelor of Music with electives in Music Education from the University of Houston in the Spring of 2024. She studied under the tutelage of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, and has performed with various choral and acapella groups such as UH's Soundscape, Rhapsody, Acabellas, and Ardore. In May 2023, she performed with the UH Concert Chorale at the Cantarode International Choral Festival in Kerkrade, Netherlands, earning third place. Karen is also currently a member of her church's worship team as a vocalist and instrumentalist.
Dr. Judy Wu Chung
Cello
Dr. Wu, a native of Taiwan, received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Phyllis Young. She has over 25 years of teaching experience, including as a teaching assistant in the UT String Department and String Project. She is a certified Suzuki cello teacher, and her passion is to develop programs and camps to help students reach their full musical potential. She is the pioneer of our Little Bach and MAC summer camps, as well as numerous other music competitions and festivals.
Dr. Ephraim Cheng
Voice
Dr. Cheng received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Houston under the tutelage of Elena Nikolaidi and Katherine Ciesinski. His accomplishments include winning the UH Music Competition and the Carlo Bergonzi Vocal Competition. He has over 20 years of experience teaching private lessons and group classes. He is the music pastor and one of the Founders of New Heart Music Ministries, and has led numerous worship concerts in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Dr. Yen-Yu Shih
Voice & Piano
Dr. Shih received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University. An accomplished Mezzo Soprano and pianist, she established and served as the music director of the National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus, which performed several concerts under her direction from 2010-2012. Her teaching experience includes serving on the faculty at the Sierra Music Academy in Sacramento, and conducting vocal clinics, private lessons, and group classes to students, choirs, churches, and schools.
Ken Li
Piano
Born and raised in Houston, Ken received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Rice University under the tutelage of Robert Roux, Joyce Webb, Annette Chan, and John Weems. He was awarded several top prizes and has performed with several orchestras in Texas. He has extensive experience not only as a teacher but also as a keyboardist and worship leader at Houston Chinese Church.
Isaque Tseng
Acoustic/Bass Guitar
Originally from Brazil, Isaque received his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from The University of Sao Paulo. He grew up under the influence of South American music and was actively involved in his local church worship ministry from a young age. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he has taught private and group guitar lessons in churches across the U.S. and Asia. He also has extensive experience leading worship and currently serves on the worship team at Fort Bend Community Church.
Dr. Czarina Cheng
Keyboard, Drums
Dr. Cheng received her bachelor's degree in music from the University of Hong Kong. In addition, she has a master's in business administration and a doctorate in ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. An accomplished worship leader, pianist, keyboardist, and drummer, she has over 23 years of teaching private and group lessons in our music school. She has also written and recorded many songs, and has served in many churches in the U.S. and abroad.
