We provide private lessons at home, anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
About Us
Welcome to
Little Pistachio
Our experienced instructors tailor each session to fit individual goals, covering technique, theory, and cultural immersion.
We offer classical and contemporary piano training, and a Mandarin program based on Shanghai’s Ministry of Education curriculum.
Whether you're starting out or advancing your skills, Little Pistachio is where music and language come to life.
Our Instructor Team
Our passionate and patient piano and academic instructors specialize in nurturing young beginners while providing expert guidance for intermediate and advanced students. Whether it's a child's first musical journey or a seasoned player refining their skills, our skilled teachers create a supportive and inspiring learning experience for all ages.
Meet Vida - Piano
Teaching has always been Vida's passion. Rich in experience teaching piano, Vida can help students of all ages, especially beginners.
If you're looking for a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment, look no further. Vida's class will focus first on the technique and coordination skills, so that accuracy and precision become second nature for you. All of her lessons are individually tailored for each of her student.
She is currently based in East Bay but willing to travel and help students all around the bay area.
Meet Jia – Mandarin, Music Together
Jia has extensive experience teaching Chinese to children ages 2–6, bringing warmth, patience, and creativity to every class. She specializes in engaging, interactive methods—such as nursery rhymes, storytelling, role-playing, and crafts—to spark curiosity and joy in learning. Her thematic lessons cover everyday topics like numbers, colors, and animals, while also introducing cultural elements such as traditional festivals, folktales, and simple Chinese songs.
Jia integrates gamified teaching techniques, including card matching, movement-based learning, and scenario simulations, helping children naturally acquire vocabulary and build simple sentence structures while having fun. She believes that language learning should be a joyful, confidence-building experience, and she tailors her approach to each child’s interests, pace, and personality.
Beyond language skills, Jia’s classes nurture listening, turn-taking, and social interaction, creating a positive foundation for future learning. Parents often remark on the excitement their children bring home—singing new songs, using Chinese words in daily life, and asking to “play Mandarin” at home. Jia’s warm, encouraging teaching style makes her a favorite among young learners and their families.
Meet Chloe - Mandarin, Music Together, Piano
Chloe is a professional childcare provider based in San Mateo with over four years of experience caring for children of all ages, including those with special needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has teaching credentials in preschool and elementary education from China. Chloe has also worked as an Au Pair in the U.S., where she cared for children from 8 months to 9 years old with full independence in daily routines.
Chloe brings a wealth of skills to her work with children. She is fluent in both Mandarin and English, making her a wonderful support for bilingual learning and daily conversation practice. Chloe also integrates the arts into her childcare—singing, painting, handwriting, and piano are just a few of the creative activities she enjoys sharing with kids.
She is CPR and First Aid certified, a safe and reliable driver, and is passionate about providing a nurturing, structured, and joyful environment where children can thrive. Families describe Chloe as caring, dependable, and full of positive energy.
Meet Angela - Piano, Violin, STEM
Angela is an experienced pianist from Arizona who graduated from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams with distinction. With over 12 years of experience, she has served as the piano accompaniment for multiple school orchestras, as well as the lead keyboardist of a jazz band.
Additionally, she is a seasoned violinist who competed at the state level through the AMEA All-State Festival of Performance and was a 4-year member of the AMEA Regional Honor Orchestra. She was also a part of the highest divisions of several other orchestras, including the DVHS Chamber Orchestra (whose recordings are on Spotify), as well as the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Phoenix Youth Symphony, and Hope Chinese School Orchestra.
She is very passionate about spreading the joy of music to the community, and served as the Vice President of Music Club, where she would perform both piano and violin at hospitals, senior centers, libraries, pep assemblies, and even the Phoenix Zoo!
Meet Jonathan - Piano, Theory, Writing, Violin, Latin Percussion
With three music degrees from top U.S. conservatories, Jonathan offers college-level music training for children at any level or age.
After beginning with Suzuki piano, Jonathan studied with top teachers to prepare for conservatory (Fernando Laires, from the Chopin and Liszt lineage, taught at Eastman), relearn his technique using the Taubman Approach (Robert McDonald at Oberlin), and master the mental game of classical music (Yoheved Kaplinsky at Peabody, currently at Juilliard).
After his piano studies, he was in the PhD program in Music Theory at Eastman School of Music, funded by a Sproull Fellowship, and taught undergraduate theory classes as a Teaching Assistant.
A veteran writer and Instructional Designer, Jonathan’s writing skills are second to none. He can help you find your unique voice, structure your thoughts, and avoid the AI trap.
Meet Veronica – STEM, Mandarin, Piano
Veronica is a passionate and versatile educator with extensive experience tutoring Math and Physics across all academic levels, from elementary school through college undergraduate. She is currently an Applied Physics PhD candidate at Stanford University, and graduated from UCLA with double majors in Physics and Mathematics. Her teaching philosophy centers on cultivating a habit of curiosity and deep understanding, encouraging students to ask "where does this equation come from?" and "what's the justification behind this concept?" rather than relying on memorization.
In addition to STEM instruction, Veronica is a passionate musician who has studied piano since age four. She has extensive experience in both soloist performance and ensemble work. In college, she played the piano as part of the UCLA Wind Ensemble and Woodwind Chamber Ensemble. She is also certified in level 8 music theory by the Royal Conservatory of Music.
As a fluent Mandarin speaker, Veronica can also provide Chinese language instruction, helping students develop conversational skills, reading comprehension, and cultural understanding. Her bilingual abilities allow her to effectively bridge language barriers and provide authentic insight into Chinese language and culture.
Meet Angela - Piano, Guzheng, Mandarin.
Teacher Angela is a talented musician with a passion for education. Growing up in China, she began studying Piano and Zheng at the age of 6, developing a deep love for music that has stayed with her throughout her life. Now located in Lafayette Bay Area, she is willing to travel to students houses for all level piano or Zheng learners.
After spending over ten years working in an accounting position, Angela is now taking a break to explore new opportunities in the educational field, where she believes she can make a real difference. Her love for working with kids is evident in everything she does, and she is excited to bring her skills and energy to help students develop their musical potential.
Angela is eager to inspire young learners, guiding them as they discover the joys of music, and she’s excited to return to her roots by sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation.
Meet Jessica - Mandarin.
Jessica Yu is a dedicated and experienced Chinese language teacher with over 4,000 hours of teaching experience. She has worked with students from around the world—including the U.S., Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia—ranging from young children to professionals at global companies like Shell, Apple, and Harley-Davidson. Jessica specializes in one-on-one and group instruction for all levels, including practical Chinese, business Chinese, and standardized test preparation such as HSK and YCT. Known for her lively and engaging teaching style, Jessica creates a positive and supportive learning environment that makes language learning enjoyable and effective. She holds international teaching certifications and is praised for her adaptability, communication skills, and ability to bring cultural insight into each lesson.
Meet May - Piano, Ukulele, Mandarin
May has been teaching at Challenge Chinese School in the Peninsula for several years, where she works with students of all ages and is known for her warm and patient approach with children.
She studied piano performance at San Francisco State University and continues to be a dedicated musician, practicing piano nearly 20 hours a week! Her love for music also led her to learn the ukulele, which she enjoys playing during her free time.
May is passionate about making lessons fun and inspiring for young learners—whether teaching Mandarin, piano, or ukulele. She strives to help each child build confidence, creativity, and a lasting love of learning.
Meet Miko - Mandarin, Piano
Miko is a warm, patient, and enthusiastic educator who believes learning should be both fun and meaningful. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Macau and teaching experience in China and the U.S.
Currently, Miko works as a Math Paraprofessional at Terra Nova High School in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she supports students building problem-solving skills, and gaining confidence in their abilities. Her teaching style is encouraging, and tailored to each student’s unique needs.
Miko is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English, making her an excellent choice for bilingual instruction. She excels at helping Mandarin-speaking students adapt to English learning environments, as well as guiding English-speaking students to explore and master Chinese language and culture.
Over the years, she has worked with students of all ages—from curious young learners to high school teens—supporting them in language learning, academic development, and personal growth.
Meet Matt - Piano.
Matthew originally moved to San Francisco to build a successful tech start-up, but he feels fortunate to have returned to his true passion, music education. He specializes in guiding precocious children, drawing from his own journey as an exceptionally dedicated young pianist.
During middle school and high school, Matthew devoted himself to piano, winning numerous competitions and developing a reputation for his artistry and discipline. This led to memorable opportunities abroad, including performing recitals in Europe that celebrated the works of Chopin and Paderewski. He went on to study Classical Piano Performance at Idyllwild Arts Academy, where his love for both the instrument and the tradition of classical music deepened.
Now, as a teacher at Little Pistachio, Matthew is excited to return fully to his musical roots. He hopes to instill in students not only strong technical foundations, but also a genuine curiosity and joy for the piano that will stay with them for life.
Meet Vivian - Piano.
Vivian brings over 20 years of dedicated experience as a music and piano teacher to students ranging from preschoolers to middle schoolers. In China, she taught music and musical theater, led student choirs to citywide awards, and organized school concerts and art festivals. Since moving to the Bay Area, she has continued sharing her love for music as a piano instructor and professional accompanist, even performing as a soprano at Stanford’s Memorial Church.
Vivian’s rich teaching background, combined with her warm and encouraging approach, helps students build strong technical foundations while truly enjoying the learning process. Her passion is contagious — she might even have you humming your favorite tune on your way out the door!
Meet Xiaoxiong - Guzheng, Mandarin
Teacher Xingran is a passionate guzheng performer and educator with over 14 years of experience. She has performed on many stages and received top awards, including:
• Gold Prize at the 6th Youth Arts Competition (2022)
• Gold Prize for ensemble at the International Chinese Ethnic Instrumental Music Competition in Singapore (2018)
• Silver Prize at the 4th “Dunhuang Cup” Beijing International Folk Music Competition (2017)
As a post-00s musician, she brings both fresh energy and deep dedication to her teaching. Having just transitioned from student to teacher herself, Xingran understands the common challenges beginners face. She emphasizes strong foundations while making sure lessons are fun and engaging.
Her teaching style is patient, encouraging, and confidence-building—helping students discover not just how to play the guzheng, but how to truly enjoy music as a lifelong companion.
Meet Tshajlij - Piano
Tshajlij learned to love music through his great band conductors, Mr. Finnegan and Mr. Aarrestad. He maintained his interested in music into adulthood, and learned piano at Chinami Piano Studio performing in studio recitals and continuing to practice trumpet and piano independently.
He experienced a teaching style of student-driven approach to lessons and plans to bring the same approach to his own students. Tshajlij values student input and sees it as an important way to keep lessons engaging and meaningful. He believes progress comes from understanding each student’s goals, identifying challenges, and working together to build consistent habits.
His passion for music is why he’s here, and he hopes to cultivate that in others.
Meet Alan - Piano & Math.
A talented pianist and instructor, who graduated from UCLA, majoring in Mathematics. With over seven years of experience teaching children, Alan has developed a strong track record for helping young students build their piano skills from the ground up.
His approach is rooted in creating a positive and encouraging learning environment, where students feel supported as they grow their musical abilities.
Alan’s friendly demeanor and remarkable patience make him a favorite among his students. He understands that every child learns differently, and he tailors his lessons to fit each student’s individual strengths and needs. Alan is passionate about uncovering the hidden talents within each student and guiding them to reach their full potential through music.
With Alan’s guidance, learning the piano becomes not only a skill to master but also a fun and enriching experience.
Meet Teddy - Piano & Vocal.
A skilled piano and singing instructor with a Bachelor of Arts in art education from the Music College of ZhaoQing University. With a focus on teaching beginners and intermediate students, Teddy brings years of experience working in elementary schools to his teaching.
He knows how important it is to start with the right approach and to create a learning environment where students can enjoy music while developing their skills.
Teddy is dedicated to helping his students build a solid foundation in piano and singing, using methods that keep them engaged and excited about learning. His passion for music and teaching shines through in every lesson, making sure students not only improve but also have fun along the way. Whether it’s their first note or refining their abilities, Teddy’s supportive style helps students build confidence and a love for music that lasts.
Meet Olivia - Mandarin & Piano.
Olivia is a passionate and experienced Mandarin educator dedicated to making language learning engaging and effective. She is the founder of Dianque Educational Institutions (滇雀辅导教育培训机构) and has over five years of teaching experience, including one year in the U.S. and four years in China.
She holds a master’s degree and is a member of the American Psychological Association (Child Psychology), bringing valuable insights into how children learn best. Olivia has worked with students ranging from ages 3 to 18, specializing in Mandarin literacy, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Her teaching experience spans both native and non-native speakers, helping students build confidence in speaking, listening, and cultural understanding.
Now based in Berkeley, Olivia is excited to bring her expertise to students across the Bay Area, offering both in-person and online lessons. She believes that language learning should be fun, immersive, and tailored to each student’s needs, fostering a lifelong love for Mandarin.
Meet Ailsa - Certified Orff Music Educator
Founder, Tiny Melody 小乐星音乐启蒙
With over 10 years of experience in vocal performance and music theory, Ailsa is a certified advanced Orff instructor and holds a Grade 8 Vocal Performance certificate from the Central Conservatory of Music in China. She specializes in early childhood music education and is passionate about nurturing children’s confidence, coordination, and creativity through music.
Her classes combine rhythm, movement, singing, and storytelling to engage both the left and right brain, promoting well-rounded development. Ailsa’s warm and playful approach helps children build foundational musical skills while also encouraging emotional expression, social interaction, and a lifelong love of music.
Meet Joey - Guitar, Piano, STEM.
Joey is an experienced guitar and piano player, specializing in rock and jazz music. He is also a skilled mathematician and computer scientist, having participated in several statewide math competitions and developed his own AI programs. Joey earned a degree in Computer Science from UC Santa Cruz, where he also discovered his passion for education while teaching computer programming at The Coder School in San Francisco. Now, he composes his own music on guitar, piano, and electronically, and is also independently developing a mobile video game. Joey’s lessons focus on nurturing a passion for learning while uncovering what truly inspires his students, helping them reach their full potential.
