Biography
Jeannie Wong is from Kluang, Johor; a small town located in the southern part of West Malaysia. She was brought to the realm of music since the age of 4, when her mother, Merry Kong, who had interest in learning music, however did not have the opportunity to pursue her dreams, hoping that her children could carry on what she wanted to do. She learned the basic electone playing from Yamaha Music Center and she was very interested to keep learning music because it was extremely fun and motivating as the music teachers at the music center were inspiring. Her mother saw that it was a fine timing to let her learn classical music, and she brought her to a friend of hers to receive piano lessons. Her early music education was mostly private, as the general music education was not being promoted both in the elementary school and secondary school. As she started to go to church at the age of 5, Jeannie was also exposed to church music. Just like any other Sunday school, the first musical experience at the church was pleasant and simple and children-friendly as well. Then, she joined the children’s choir for a short while.
There were some major examinations that all students had to take and the time and opportunities to join the choir practices and performances were limited. Because of her aunt’s recommendation, Jeannie started to play in the church service since the age of 13 and it was a really good kick-start as a musician performing in front of many people. At the age of 14, she finished her classical music course and turned her focus onto Yamaha’s contemporary music course, however did not learn much about the contemporary music theory. After years playing at the church, she grew comfortable playing for the crowd and got invited to play at a few events, such as a church member’s wedding ceremony and school’s events. Besides playing at the church, Jeannie also joined the church choir and was active as an accompanist; sometimes she also participated in the choir as an Alto.
After completing high school, Jeannie was accepted into International College of Music, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to continue her tertiary education. It was a whole new world to her as her experience in music was entirely different from what she has expected in the college, but it was for the better. She learned about Berklee College of Music when she was still in college and she was very enthusiastic about getting into Berklee College of Music as she heard about Berklee was renowned for its top-notch quality education. After being accepted into Berklee, Jeannie was also interested in other majors, such as Music Therapy and Songwriting. However, because of personal and financial issues, she had to only choose one major. Regardless of what she did not choose, she was happy of the choice she has made because of being marveled and experienced the music education’s ever-growing and ever-changing-for-the-better community.
Jeannie will continue improving in her musical career, including her teaching ability and hopefully she will be able to teach her music and passion and guide her students into a better musician. After graduating from Berklee, Jeannie plans to teach in a public school at either elementary schools or middle school where she can inspire a spark in every student’s life especially at the beginning.
There were some major examinations that all students had to take and the time and opportunities to join the choir practices and performances were limited. Because of her aunt’s recommendation, Jeannie started to play in the church service since the age of 13 and it was a really good kick-start as a musician performing in front of many people. At the age of 14, she finished her classical music course and turned her focus onto Yamaha’s contemporary music course, however did not learn much about the contemporary music theory. After years playing at the church, she grew comfortable playing for the crowd and got invited to play at a few events, such as a church member’s wedding ceremony and school’s events. Besides playing at the church, Jeannie also joined the church choir and was active as an accompanist; sometimes she also participated in the choir as an Alto.
After completing high school, Jeannie was accepted into International College of Music, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to continue her tertiary education. It was a whole new world to her as her experience in music was entirely different from what she has expected in the college, but it was for the better. She learned about Berklee College of Music when she was still in college and she was very enthusiastic about getting into Berklee College of Music as she heard about Berklee was renowned for its top-notch quality education. After being accepted into Berklee, Jeannie was also interested in other majors, such as Music Therapy and Songwriting. However, because of personal and financial issues, she had to only choose one major. Regardless of what she did not choose, she was happy of the choice she has made because of being marveled and experienced the music education’s ever-growing and ever-changing-for-the-better community.
Jeannie will continue improving in her musical career, including her teaching ability and hopefully she will be able to teach her music and passion and guide her students into a better musician. After graduating from Berklee, Jeannie plans to teach in a public school at either elementary schools or middle school where she can inspire a spark in every student’s life especially at the beginning.
Statement of Purpose
"Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue" - - Plato
My philosophy is rooted in the belief that all individuals are capable of learning. I have a strong desire to provide the necessary instruction, tools, encouragement, motivation and discipline to promote learning music. Students must be encouraged to respect and accept differing cultures, as the students will be learning world music together.
I believe that effective teaching does not commence with book rules, nor trying to lead from theory to practices, but rather from actual practices to theories. Practical experience must come before theory, and theory must grow out of that practical experiences. The purpose of music in the schools is to create musically intelligent adults, rather to train professional musicians. To be most effective, music education must begin with young child. However, that does not mean that one who is already a teenager would not learn as good as a younger child. Music is a discipline involving all the senses and contributing to the total development of the human being. Therefore, the students are encouraged to write their own schedule and follow it diligently.
My philosophy is rooted in the belief that all individuals are capable of learning. I have a strong desire to provide the necessary instruction, tools, encouragement, motivation and discipline to promote learning music. Students must be encouraged to respect and accept differing cultures, as the students will be learning world music together.
I believe that effective teaching does not commence with book rules, nor trying to lead from theory to practices, but rather from actual practices to theories. Practical experience must come before theory, and theory must grow out of that practical experiences. The purpose of music in the schools is to create musically intelligent adults, rather to train professional musicians. To be most effective, music education must begin with young child. However, that does not mean that one who is already a teenager would not learn as good as a younger child. Music is a discipline involving all the senses and contributing to the total development of the human being. Therefore, the students are encouraged to write their own schedule and follow it diligently.