Qingyan is a bilingual music educator and musician who has been part of the Pine Street School community since 2018. She joined PSS as a Mandarin teacher and expanded her role into music education, while continuing to integrate Mandarin language and Chinese musical traditions into her teaching. With nearly a decade of experience working with children from age two through middle school, Qingyan believes that music is borderless—it can connect people across cultures and give children many ways to express themselves and discover their own creativity. She encourages students to explore music through singing, movement, instruments, performance, and play, and to see music not only as something to learn, but also as a way to connect, communicate, and experience the world. Originally from Beijing, China, Qingyan holds an M.A. in Music Education from NYU Steinhardt and Kodály certifications through NYU’s summer program. Cello is her primary instrument, and she also plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and violin, allowing her to bring a wide range of sounds and musical experiences into the classroom. Since 2022, Qingyan has built and led both lower and upper school musical programs, as well as the PSS choir program, creating opportunities for students to experience music through performance, storytelling, and collaboration. Outside the classroom, she is a dog lover and parent of Sesame, and enjoys cooking at home, going to concerts, and performing. In 2026, she was honored to bring her cello to Carnegie Hall and looks forward to continuing to grow and share her life as a musician.
