Music Class with Dr. Jay Lai
San Francisco
What I Offer
Hi, I’m Dr. Jay Lai — a musician, educator, and Golden Melody Award nominee (Taiwan’s equivalent of the GRAMMYs), now based in San Francisco.
I help students of all ages grow confident, creative, and connected through music — whether you’re a beginner or returning after years away. Lessons are:
- Tailored to your pace and goals
- Rooted in classical training & cross-cultural creativity
- Joyful, expressive, and deeply human
Ready to begin your musical journey?
Instruments You Can Learn
Guzheng 古箏
Piano
Ukulele
All levels welcome. Lessons available in-person or online.
Student Testimonials
“Ms. Jay has been teaching my daughter for over six years. Her patience and creativity have nurtured a deep love of music. Even when lessons moved online during COVID, my daughter never wanted to stop — a true testament to Jay’s inspiring teaching.”
— June T., parent, CA
“Ms. Jay knows how to keep my son engaged, even with his Autism and ADHD. She combines fundamental skills with complex pieces in a way my son loves, and he’s made great progress.”
— Li Z., parent, CA
Why Study with Me?
✔ 20+ years of teaching experience
✔ Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology (guzheng & piano)
✔ Warm, patient, and student-centered
✔ Tailored to your pace, interests, and goals
✔ East meets West — a global musical lens
Watch Me Play
Get a feel for my vibe, sound, and energy!
Piano & Ukulele Students & Families
“Dr. Jay’s skill and passion make her the perfect guide for anyone who wants to learn. Her kind but firm approach has resulted both progress and pride for our daughters’ piano playing. The enthusiasm they had for playing music has continued to grow while taking lessons. No question — piano lessons have been a valuable part of our family’s life”
— Saroufim family, CA
“Jay is a fantastic piano teacher for my kids. She’s not only highly skilled but also incredibly creative in her teaching approach. She finds unique and engaging ways to introduce young learners to the piano, often incorporating other instruments to make the experience even more fun and inspiring. I highly recommend her for individual lessons and group lessons.”
— Karen R., parent, CA
“Dr. Lai’s passion makes every lesson fun and engaging. She breaks down complex techniques into simple steps, ensuring that I build a strong foundation while enjoying the process. Thanks to her guidance, my confidence and skills on the ukulele have improved tremendously.”
— Qing S., software engineer, CA
✨ Click here to read more testimonials
Guzheng Students
“Jay’s Guzheng lessons bring both musical and spiritual growth. Her expertise, empathy, and tailored guidance create a supportive and relaxed atmosphere that fosters joy and progress in every session.”
— Lixue L., PhD student, Germany
“I’ve taken guzheng lessons with Jay for over a year, and I highly recommend working with her! She is both a skilled teacher and a performer, and she effortlessly breaks down complicated ideas into manageable pieces for her students. Her clear passion for what she does makes her a kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable instructor. Thank you, Jay!”
— Meiya S., PhD student, CA
“I have learned Guzheng from Dr. Jay Lai for several years. As I don’t have any music background, her patience and gentle encouragement have helped me build confidence. When I am making mistakes or frustrated, she always makes things easier and gives me space to grow. Also, her step-by-step guidance and teaching technique have helped me identify and fix my bad habits. She is an excellent teacher; she helps me to improve my skill and play the music with more comfort.”
— Betty Y., retired, AZ
「非常感謝有這麼好的因緣讓我們的女兒與您一起共渡了十年的古箏學習歷程，感恩您的細心教導與不斷的鼓勵，讓她由零基礎開始，循循善誘不斷的學習與成長，也創造了很多機會讓她能夠走上舞台表演，她的進步大家有目共睹，更離不開您的教導鼓勵與支持，再次感謝您，成為她在古箏學習中的導師，也让我們成了好朋友！」
— Jiayi, parent, HI
✨ Ready to begin your journey?
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