About

About the Program Director

Sonya Yu is a certified and experienced harp teacher. Sonya has studied the harp with internationally known harpists such as Sophie Clavel at the National Taipei University of Education, and Dr. Carrol McLaughlin at the University of Arizona, USA, where she received her Master’s degree.  Occasionally, Sonya took lessons from the world renowned distinguished harp teacher, Miss Susann McDonald, and works closely with Mrs. Linda Wood Rollo, the highly admired mentor in the harp community.

Sonya traveled and performed in the National Music Hall, Taipei, Taiwan and many other places around the world. Not only an active performer, Sonya also has studied and holds several certifications and credentials of music education from the Department of Education of Taiwan, State of California and Arizona, the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and the Leading Edge Certification from iNACOL.  Since 1999, Sonya has performed concerts and given lectures in the Bay Area. Sonya also has been serving local professional music teachers organizations, such as organizing the Student Education Sessions for the Silicon Valley Chapter of American Harp Society and the Student Evaluation Program for the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, as well as contributing to the California Music Teacher Association of North California and Chinese Language Digital Teaching Association’s teacher training programs.

Sonya has dedicated her life to sharing her gift and love of harp and music. Her goal is to enlighten and raise its awareness and appreciation. She encourages and educates her students to help them excel and achieve their musical goals. Among her students, there are several outstanding young harpists being recognized and praised highly in orchestras and competitions. 

2019 National Youngarts

2018 AHS National Conference

 

2018 AHS National Conference

2017 World Harp Congress

2020 USIMC Diploma of Recognition

2018 USIMC Diploma of Recognition

 

2017 USIMC Diploma of Recognition

 

2016usimc-recognition

2016 USIMC Diploma of Recognition

Clarence Tang

“Thanks, for being a supporting person of my harp life. You are the best instrument teacher I’ve ever met. Thanks for all the things that you have done.” – Clarence T.

Stacy Oliver

“Thank you, Sonya, for your excellent teaching methodology and uplifting manner. It is a joy to have you as a teacher, as you inspire students to distinction. My daughter became comfortable with the harp right away, and enjoyed being able to play songs right from the start. The recitals you organized were positive experiences: both …

Lauren Oliver

“Mrs. Yu is not only a methodical, precise teacher, but a very positive one. She was never satisfied with “good enough,” but pushed me to be my very best, yet at the same time praising what I did right and encouraging me to do better. She invested in me as an individual and generously gave …

D. Li

A lot of teachers teach to live. Sonya is a teacher who lives to teach! -D. Li

Karen Macauley

I have enjoyed watching Sonya teach our son harp for the past year and a half. He started at 6 years old, but she had no problem keeping him engaged in the lessons and the music. She has a knack for working with young children through gentle leading. Sonya’s sweet disposition, coupled with strong guidance …