At KLIS, music is more than just melody and rhythm—it is a bridge that connects hearts and cultures. Today, we are delighted to introduce our music teacher and ensemble director, Sasha. With her solid oboe performance skills, extensive international teaching experience, and genuine passion for music education, she leads students onto the stage and into the world of music.
Artistic Resonance on International Stages
During her studies in the United States, Sasha held multiple solo and chamber music recitals. She performed in the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, and the five consecutive shows were a great success, receiving featured coverage in local media. She also served as principal oboe of the university wind ensemble, performing with the group at venues such as the campus concert hall and Perrysburg Cathedral.
In addition, as an oboist in her school orchestra, she performed alongside the principal violinist of the Berlin Philharmonic. She also participates annually in the Double Reed Day festival, where she coaches ensemble classes and wind bands, and has made oboe reeds for students in local middle and high school wind bands and symphony orchestras, and runs her own dedicated reed-making website.
From U.S. Schools to Universities: A Cross-Cultural Teaching Journey
Sasha possesses years of music teaching experience in both American secondary schools and universities. As early as her graduate studies, she was invited to serve as a teaching assistant for the band and chamber music program at a middle school summer music camp in the United States, where she gained foundational experience in ensemble instruction and collaborative performance training. After returning to China, she has continued to dedicate herself to music education, striving to integrate the inspirational approach of American pedagogy with rigorous systematic training, thus developing her own distinctive cross-cultural teaching style.
At KLIS: The Ensemble as a Canvas of Sound
As the director of the KLIS Ensemble, Sasha brings her performance experience and artistic sensibility into the rehearsal room. She emphasizes the cantabile quality of every part, guiding students to listen to one another and feel the collective breath, helping them discover the musical line and emotion in ensemble playing. From classical to anime, from elegant pieces to popular TV and film medleys, she leads students through a wide range of musical styles. Under her guidance, ensemble rehearsal is never just about technique—it is a practice of listening, collaborating, and expressing.
Art Illuminates Education
Sasha’s artistic journey-from acclaimed opera performances, to her role as principal oboe, to sharing the stage with the Berlin Philharmonic’s principal violinist—all finds its way back to her teaching. At KLIS, she brings these invaluable stage experiences into the classroom, helping students understand that music is alive—something to be played, shared, and nurtured together.
