I would like to recommend Vera Kong as a piano teacher for your children if you regard music teaching seriously. Briefly, Vera is a superb piano teacher and she is passionate about music. Her love for the music is evident in her enthusiastic and energetic teaching. My son has taken piano lessons from Vera since we moved to Santa Barbara a year and a half ago. He started to play piano almost four years ago in Italy and continued to take piano lessons when we moved to Madison, WI three years ago, as a result he has many teachers in different countries and I can compare Vera's teaching with others music teachers. She is much better in more than one respect: She is very patient and attentive to correct bad piano hand postures. She constantly plays together with my son, encourages him and coaxes the very best effort from him. She takes care that her students play a very good piano, well-tuned. Students can therefore well appreciate how the type of touch they will choose depends on the sound they want to achieve. Lessons are serious and she provides an atmosphere where the students can really learn. However, she is very good at making learning fun and lessons are never boring for my son! My son improved dramatically in the last year and everyone recognized that. Along with the technical aspects of piano, Vera addresses performance techniques as well and these have been particularly helpful to my son. With Vera my son started to compete and to win! She is well known and respected so she can offer a student many opportunities, such as participating in competitions, playing with orchestra. I am very grateful to her for everything she is teaching my son. Because it was such a pleasure to witness how much my son progresses in piano, I myself started again to take piano lessons from her. As she is very good with children, she is a patient, passionate and effective teacher with myself too. So, I would not hesitate to recommend Vera to any adults that want to learn piano too. read more

My child has studied with Vera for 8 years. In that time my kid has twice won a Music Academy of the West Merit Scholarship, and several other competitions including the Bach festival. This would not have been possible without the expert and dedicated instruction of Vera Kong. She's not the neighborhood piano lady teaching in her living room. Vera holds a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in Piano and also studied in Korea and UCSB. As a pianist she's performed all over the world. She lives and breathes piano. She teaches on a tuned Grand Steinway, not an electronic keyboard from Cosco. This is the real deal folks. If you're serious about music and want proper, high level instruction, look no further. She can teach any level. For a beginner, it's particularly important to learn from someone of this caliber because a piano teacher lacking proper training will teach and pass on BAD technique and habits. Once muscle memory sets in, it can be extremely difficult to unlearn poor technique. There really is a wrong way and right way to learn piano. Vera won't coddle or teach your kid to play the TV theme song from the Flintstones to impress your friends at dinner parties. Vera is a real piano instructor. She schedules recitals several times per year and they are elaborate and well produced events. As you progress she'll involve and inform you of competitions, CM opportunities and concert opportunities. It's a full service studio. Full stop. The whole enchilada. read more

Vera is, quite simply, the best. She is a talented and dedicated instructor of the highest caliber, and it is clear that she cares deeply for each of her students. She has been teaching my 5 year old (a fidgety beginner with a short attention span), as well as my 10 year old (who has been playing for 5 years and is a more serious and dedicated student) for the past 6 months. Vera tailors her teaching style to each of my kids' abilities and personalities and is impressively effective with both. With my 5 year old beginner, Vera is fun, energetic, warm, and encouraging. She instinctively adjusts the pace of each lesson to my daughter's disposition, and knows how to effectively present the basics and fundamentals. As a result, I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly my daughter is learning and developing a love of playing. With my 10 year old, I am completely blown away by how much her playing has improved since she began studying with Vera. Vera has provided my daughter with the highest quality instruction, challenging material and performance opportunities, and heartfelt encouragement. We are extremely fortunate to have found her! read more

You may think it is impossible to find. But it is here and it is in Santa Barbara. Vera is a marvelous piano teacher and I could not recommend her more. She strives for excellence in her teaching and she always wants her students to learn, grow and share as she does. This is the hallmark of her teaching. Vera is an inspiring teacher who sets a high standard for her students and this carries through into her own performance. I have witnessed her preparing a concert series' with a renowned orchestra and her dedication is inspirational. In addition to her musical excellence, what distinguishes from others her is her kindness and the pastoral outlook she has towards her students. She exudes an inner calm and sense of well being and I think this creates an atmosphere for advancement and development in her teaching. All that really matters is that we are glad to be her student, we love going to her classes and not only are we progressing and improving in our music in a meaningful and enjoyable way, but we are inspired by her to be the best what we can possibly be. read more

An excellent first class teacher. We feel so fortunate to have Vera as our 8.5 year old son's piano teacher. Even though our son has only been studying under Vera for 9 months, he has already learned so much and had the opportunity to play in two first-rate music recitals. Vera is an extremely inspiring and dedicated teacher that strives to bring out the very best in each of her students. She has a unique caring but firm way of challenging her students while building their confidence at the same time. We are so grateful that we found such a rare accomplished hard working teacher that can make lessons fun while requiring the hard work and determination needed to learn a musical instrument and grow in life. Truly one of a kind. I've noticed that every time my son walks out of a lesson, he seems so happy and walks just a bit prouder then he did walking in. We hope that Vera will be our son's teacher for a very long time. read more

Vera is truly a rare gem. I would be very surprised if you could find a piano teacher of her caliber without having to drive to LA for lessons. She will help you hear the music as a living and breathing thing. You will feel the music in a way that you have not felt it before. She is dedicated to her students' results. She's committed to their progress like it is her own progress. I have had many music teachers and I can say that she has the highest level of passion for what she does. It feels like my progress was connected to her satisfaction. And that inspired me to joyfully put in hours of practice per day. I've never met another music teacher so concerned with her students progress and results. Take lessons or get you kid lessons from her if you have the opportunity and you are serious. read more

Vera is truly one of a kind piano teacher! Any child or adult would be very fortunate to have her teach. You will not find a better piano/ music teacher than Vera. My daughter started to play with Vera when she was 4 years old. Unfortunately we had to move from Santa Barbara and although my daughter continues to play, we have not found anyone who comes even close to Vera's teaching skills. She is not only an amazing pianist, she is absolutely an amazing teacher and truly a great person ! Her focus on all of the aspects of being the best at playing an instrument is one of a kind. She pays close attention to teaching music theory, hearing the music, proper posture, reading music, and the biggest plus is that Vera truly cares. We miss her very much ! read more

Coming back to music after a lifetime away, Vera's lessons are totally the "high point" of the week for me. From my first lesson with her, I realized how uneven my former training had been - there were some sizable gaps that she fills every week; its been an exciting process. I had a hand injury a part of this past year, so she focused on theory, which was always my nemesis, but she's made it really fun and approachable. And those lessons have been very helpful to me in my other hobby - voice. Vera is inspiring to me because she is at the top of her profession - I do love being taught by the very best, and she is that. I feel very fortunate to be able to study with Vera. read more

Absolutely five stars! Vera is an amazing teacher. Not only she is an accomplished pianist who performing regularly herself but also she has the passion to teach. She is always very cheering and encouraging and willing to put up extra hours when needed. She motivates her students to try their best through hard work and determination and, at the same time, have fun. Her students love her. Learning from her is very rewarding. Some of her students have done so well and have won multiple piano competitions including my daughter. I could not ask a better teacher than her. Thank you, Vera, for being such a great teacher!!! We are lucky to have you here in Santa Barbara. read more

Vera's enthusiasm and commitment to excellence are contagious! My lessons with her sharpened my skills as a pianist, and strengthened my musicality in all capacities, (I sing opera as well). Teaching her students to play piano beautifully through diligent practice is a mission for Vera, and her passionate commitment to her students' improvement is very evident at her recitals. It's a very inspiring process to learn from someone with such finesse and skill, and I can't recommend her highly enough! read more

I gave Vera 5 stars because she is an amazing teacher! She is passionate about teaching, yet she is compassionate and diligent when working with her students, taking into consideration each and every students needs. She has great stamina that is sure to capture anybody's attention of all ages. I feel very blessed to have her as my child's piano teacher. She is very kind hearted- yet she will motivate her students to reach their highest potential. I would recommend Vera to anyone of all ages. read more

My daughter has been taking lessons with Vera since 2011 and I knew from the start that we were in good hands. Vera Kong is not your typical piano teacher. She will not say "good job" for everything you do just to keep you happy. Nope. She will push you to your limits, she will tell you the truth, and make you work hard so that you can actually succeed at this. Her skill and knowledge level is very high and she never stops learning, and growing as a person, which is very inspiring. read more

My youngest son has been a student of Vera's for a little over a year and I am extremely happy with his progress. Vera is an amazing teacher, professional, prepared, talented, fun and nice. She not only focuses on playing and technique, but makes sure they have a thorough understanding of musical theory. Vera is truly the best. She expects a lot from her students and in our case our son has met and exceeded these expectations. I highly recommend Vera. read more

Vera has had an amazing impact on my daughter's piano education. She is compassionate and kind, working with her students to motivate. Vera's knowledge in relation to community offerings/competitions is something we have come to value and appreciate. Vera runs her piano school with professionalism that I see great value in. My daughter looks forward to her time each week with Vera, the connection she shares w/ her students is quite remarkable. read more

Vera is a great teacher and I feel really lucky we found her. She is focussed, engaged, passionate about music and has a great way to inspire kids. My son is musical but could not read notes, and made much progress with Vera. She teaches all the fine subtleties of piano playing and performing, such as body posture, phrasing, dynamics, etc. She also prepares her talented students for succeeding in competitions. We are lucky to have her. read more

Vera is an exceptional teacher. She has very high standards and my children are thriving under her instruction. She is great at communicating when they need to try a bit harder and she is great at praising their achievements. My children describe her as patient, kind, and "strict in a good way". They have both progressed a great deal in the year that they have studied with her. We couldn't be happier with our experience! read more

My 7 year daughter really enjoyed her piano time with Vera, not only in class but also monthly recitals. Vera had deep discussion with student and will set short and long term targets to help students grow their skills. She encouraged students that they are not playing piano alone. They communicated about piano skills and life like a musician. She is the best piano teacher we never met. read more

Our daughter has been taking piano lessons with Vera for about a year now, and we have only wonderful things to say about Vera. Vera is attentive to children's individual learning styles, and she is incredibly supportive and encouraging. Seeing our daughter grow not only in her musical ability, but also in her focus and creativity as a result of Vera's teaching has been such a gift. read more

One of the best things that happened during last year was having Vera as my piano teacher. I am an adult first time piano student. While Vera is a virtuoso in her training and experience, she is versatile, intuitive, compassionate, and devoted as a teacher. Her ability to inspire her students is one of the fundamental qualities of a great teacher! Thank you, Vera! read more