Kyu Butler is a concertizing pianist and artist teacher based in St. Louis, Missouri. Please use the navigation menu to learn more about her career, accomplishments, piano lessons, and listen to videos and audio examples, and learn about upcoming performances.
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Biography
A recipient of the Marina Grin and the Classical Music Awards, Kyu Butler is an accomplished pianist and has received awards from many competitions including the Chosun Daily News Co. Music Competition, Korea Times Music Competition, The Korean National Students Competition, Samick Piano Competition, Choonchoo Piano Competition, Monthly Music Magazine Competition, Yookyoung Students Competition, and the University of Illinois Symphony Concerto Competition. Butler has trained with such masters as Leon Fleisher, Aldo Ciccolini, Menahem Pressler, Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Boris Slutsky, Timothy Ehlen, Daniel Schene and many others and she is actively performing in Czech Republic, China, Italy, Korea and US. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2017. In 2019 season, she was invited to perform at Blackburn college, IL and St. Louis University, MO as a guest artist.
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Butler received her Bachelor of Music from The Korean National University of Arts’ School of Music. Here she studied with Mr. Choong-Mo Kang, a former faculty member of the Juilliard School in New York City. Butler also received a Master of Music in piano performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Mack McCray. She also received her Professional Studies Diploma in Early Historical Keyboards with emphasis on Fortepiano from the Conservatory.
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Currently, Butler is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Literature and Master of Music in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with full scholarship. Here she studies with the renowned pianist and conductor Dr. Ian Hobson. Butler has completed the Piano Pedagogy Internship with one of the famous Piano Pedagogy scholar, the late Dr. Alexander Reid, and also worked as an opera coach, Teaching Assistant, and studio accompanist at the University of Illinois. She is also working as adjunct faculty at the Community Music School of Webster University, St. Louis MO. Butler recently became a NCTM (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) in piano and also became a Royal Conservatory of Music’s Certified Piano Teacher. She did the Suzuki Teacher Training as well. Her students have won local and nation-wide competitions, festivals, exams and auditions.
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Butler’s current research focus is on preventing injuries for pianists in collaboration with Dr. Carol Leone at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Butler’s work was selected for presentations at the Music Techers National Association’s National Conference in Spokane WA, and at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Chicago IL. Her superb presentation resulted in an invitation to write a paper for MTNA e-journal.
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Butler is a Co-Vice President of the Missouri Music Teachers Association, and chair of Young Artist Competition in St. Louis. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association, St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association, The Federation of Music Clubs, and Piano Teachers Round Table in St. Louis.
Current Research Focus
Kyu Butler's current research topic is "Measuring up to Prevent Injuries: Handspan, Repertoire, and Alternatively-Sized Piano Keyboards." Kyu presented this at MTNA(Music Teachers National Association) National Conference and NCKP (National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy) in 2019.
Piano Lesson
Welcome to Kyu Butler Piano Studio.
No students are considered too young to start learning piano. In fact, establishing proper techniques from an early age is fundamental for later development. Poor habits can also be difficult to unlearn later in life. Kyu's studio currently has students ranging in age from 4 years old to adults who are at an advanced level. Kyu Butler teaches piano as well as music theory.
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Kyu has had extensive performing in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Kyu has also trained with legendary pianists throughout the world. Kyu is a Co-Vice President of the Missouri Music Teachers Association and chair of Young Artist Competition. When combined with her doctoral education, Kyu has acquired plenty of experience teaching young pianists. Kyu's students have competed in, and been successful in competitions, festivals, and auditions in US and abroad. Kyu is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano.
Lessons are available for 30, 45, or 60 minutes, using a new Steinway & Sons grand piano. Feel free to contact Kyu for an interview (Free of charge). For more information, please click "Policy" on top menu bar.
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Kyu Butler Piano Studio is located in the Rock Hill (Ladue) area near Manchester & McKnight.
Music Theory
Kyu Butler provides Music Theory lessons. Kyu uses Royal Conservatory of Music(RCM) in Canada's "Celebrate Theory" as textbook. RCM annual level tests are in May and August in St. Louis area.
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Level 1-4: Elementary
Level 5-8: Intermediate
Level 9 or above: Advanced
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News & Events
8/01 Instruction resumes for Fall
9/08 Kyu Butler Piano Recital at Blackburn College
9/14 Kyu Butler Piano Recital at St. Louis University
9/21 MMTA District Auditions
10/03 Kyu Butler conduct a master class and give a lecture at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand
10/13 Young Artist Competition Winners Recital
10/19 CMS Faculty Gala Concert
10/20 Arch Cup Competition
10/24 Ariel/Steinway Piano Gallery St. Louis Recital
11/07-11/10 MMTA State Auditions
12/15- Studio Recital
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Click "Student Performances" below to watch performances of Kyu Butler's students.
Student Achievements
2018
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Sonatina Festival (Feb.)
Superior (highest prize)
Chloe Cheng
Nicholas Cho
Kaylee Dillingham
Jonah Meyer
Milo Nickelson
Anthony Polesel
Robert Quan
Seamus Smith
Carter Valle
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Excellent (second highest prize)
Gideon Weinberg
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Piano Teachers Round Table
Showcase Concert (April)
Chloe Cheng
Claudia Cheng
Caroline Riet
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Royal Conservatory of Music (May)
Piano Exam
Chloe Cheng - Winner of
"Center Certificate on Excellence" and "State Certificate on Excellence" for the highest mark in State of Illinois
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Theory Exam
Robert Quan - Level 5
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Missouri Music Teachers Association
District Audition (Sep.)
Rate 1
Chloe Babel
Enkh-Ujin Chinchuluun
Milo Nickelson
Anthony Polesel
Robert Quan
Ayansa Samarasinghe
Yuma Samarasinghe
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Rate 2
Matthew Sun
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Arch Cup (Oct.)
Superior Plus
Kendyl Flannery
Seamus Smith
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Superior
Tom Kane
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MMTA State Auditions (November)
Honorable Mention
Enkh-Ujin Chinchuluun
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Rate 1
Milo Nickelson
Anthony Polesel
Robert Quan
Ayansa Samarasinghe
Yuma Samarasinghe
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2019
Sonatina Festival (March)
Superior - highest award
Maeta Christian
Kaylee Dillingham
Jonah Meyer
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The Federation of Music Clubs(March)
Chloe Babel: Superior-
Natalie Chen: Superior
Caspar Koelz: Superior
Milo Nickelson: Superior+
Ayansa Samarasinghe: Superior
Yuma Samarasinghe: Superior
Emily Simmons: Superior
Gideon Weinberg: Superior+
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CMS Webster University Student Recital
Chloe Cheng
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PTRT Showcase Concert (April)
Maeta Christian
Anthony Polesel
Jan Riet
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RCM Piano Exam (May)
Ana Casares:Passed - First Class Honors
received an award "Center Certificate of Excellence"
Robert Quan:Passed -First Class Honors with Distinction
received awards "State Certificate of Excellence" and "Center Certificate of Excellence"
Seamus Smith:Passed - First Class Honors
Thomas Kane :Passed - Honors
Jonah Meyer:Passed - First Class Honors
​received awards "State Certificate of Excellence" and "Center Certificate of Excellence"
Chloe Cheng:Passed - Honors
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RCM Theory Exam (August)
Jan Riet: passed level 7
Robert Quan: passed level 8
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MMTA District Audition (September)
Rate 1
Marie Bush
Azam Bhutto
Natalie Chen
Maeta Christian
Vidur Kother
Jonah Meyer
Amelia Polito
Robert Quan
Emily Simmons
Seamus Smith
Andew Smull
Adam Yu
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Rate 2
Gideon Weinberg
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Resources
Community Music School of Webster University
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Missouri Music Teachers Association
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Music Teachers National Association
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National federation of Music
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Missouri Federated Music Club
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Royal Conservatory of Music
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San Francisco Conservatory of Music
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Pianists for Alternatively Sized Keyboards
The College Music Society
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Piano Teachers Round Table
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St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association
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Suzuki Association of the Americas
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts, such is the duty of the artist."
- Robert Schumann (1810-1856) -
Contact
For any performance or lesson inquiries. Please leave a message here below, or email her.
Thank you.
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