Testimonials

Won Choi, mother of pianist David Choi

“Dr. Alex McDonald has been a tremendous influence on my son David’s piano journey. He not only built the foundation for David’s love for music but also nurtured his growth as a pianist. Under his guidance, David developed his approach of self-expression and storytelling in his piano playing. Dr. McDonald’s mentorship instilled both technical excellence and artistic appreciation for the piano, shaping David into the musician he is today. Beyond the lessons, Dr. McDonald’s passion for teaching, expertise as a pianist, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact on both David and myself. I am incredibly grateful for the role he has played in David’s musical and personal growth."

David is now a student at Colburn Music Academy, and is competing and advancing in major international competitions include Sendai, Hamamatsu, Hilton Head International, Cooper, and many others.

Hear David play on his YouTube chancel:
https://www.youtube.com/@pianistdavidchoi

Serena Chiu / University of Texas, MIS from McCombs School of Business / Now an Analyst at PepsiCo

“I am incredibly grateful for the impact both Alex and Marcy have had on my musical journey. Their patience, kindness and unwavering support made such a difference, as they always took the time to understand and guide me through any difficulty that I faced. Their genuine passion for music is inspiring and always motivated me to strive to become the best pianist I could be. They were both thoughtful and firm in their teaching, pushing me to reach my full potential. Thanks to their guidance, I not only achieved success in competitions I never thought possible, but also developed a deep love for the music I create and play to this day. Alex also has a wonderful sense of humor which never failed to put a smile on my face.”

Josephine Chiu / currently a medical student

“I had the privilege of being part of the McDonald Studio with Alex and Marcy as my piano teachers throughout my middle school and high school years. While I always enjoyed playing the piano, it was under their guidance that my passion for music flourished, and I began to recognize my own potential. Piano lessons were never dull - they were a space for creativity, where we would reimagine the music I was learning and develop stories and imagery that allowed me to connect deeply with each piece.

“Through the pressure of piano competitions, Alex and Marcy were unwavering in their support, regardless of the outcome. They played a crucial role in my success, I achieved milestones like performing with an orchestra- something I had dreamed of for years. I will always appreciate the dedication they provided, which enabled me to reach the highest standard of artistry.

“More than just teachers, Alex and Marcy were always available to teach or simply talk, offering wisdom and encouragement whenever needed. I’m incredibly grateful to have been a student of the McDonald Studio and will always hold a deep appreciation for the piano and the invaluable lessons they gave me.”

Jason Zhu / Stanford University, B.S. Mathematics and M.S. Computational and Mathematical Engineering / Engineer at MathWorks and PhD candidate in Machine Learning at Georgia Tech

“What makes Alex and Marcy exceptional teachers is their ability to recognize potential in and take risks on their students. Within the last few years of my high school career, Alex had encouraged me to take on repertoire that I could have only dreamed of doing before I arrived to the studio: Stravinsky’s Trois Mouvements de Petrouchka, Vine’s Piano Sonata no. 1, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto no. 2. Alex and Marcy set expectations that may initially seem astronomically high, but they understand that each student has the capacity to achieve such greatness, and they’re willing to put in the hours to ensure that those expectations are achieved.

“Beyond their incredible expertise and experience as musicians, Alex and Marcy are also committed to fostering a healthy environment in their studio, building student’s love for music, and driving constant growth. While many may see winning competitions as the end goal, Alex and Marcy utilize the structure of competition preparation as a means of accelerating a student’s development as a pianist and as an individual. Having gone through this process myself, I can confidently say that the most important part of working with them was developing an intimate familiarity and love for the music, and achieving accolades in competitions was a secondary (but nice) aspect of my journey.

“I am proud of be an alumna of McDonald Music Studios. Their dedication to my growth as a musician (and as a person) is something that I can take with me for the rest of my life. Their work as instructors is a premier service to aspiring musicians, and it has been a privilege to work with them.”

Ann Tauhert, mother of student Ashley Tauhert

“My daughter studied under Dr. McDonald and Mrs. McDonald for 4 years and saw incredible growth in their music studios. In addition to teaching music, they were both very effective in preparing her for competitions. Furthermore, it was not all work - they managed to make the learning process enjoyable where she looked forward to each lesson.”

Ashley Tauhert / Yale University, now working in sales and trading at Barclays in NYC

“I had the opportunity to study with Alex and Marcy McDonald in high school, and of the 13 years I studied music, they were the most impactful individuals on my musical experience. Making the switch to study with them showed me how playing piano was not just pressing keys on a keyboard, but rather a form of storytelling. Not only did my technical skills improve tremendously, but I also gained a deeper appreciation for the nuance and beauty of classical music. They are truly dedicated to their students, even outside of the hours spent in lessons, hosting various recitals and studio classes to allow students to gain confidence in their playing while receiving additional guidance. It is no question that Alex and Marcy truly love and enjoy what they do, and their devotion motivated me to become a better musician. Not to mention, lessons no longer felt like a chore. I always went into their studio not just excited to learn more, but also to have a good laugh.”

Tae Han, rising freshman at Northwestern University, majoring in double bass

“Out of my 12 years of being a musician, Dr. McDonald is one of my greatest inspirations. I have grown an unfathomable amount in my musical journey during my time studying with him. He teaches in a way that molds to anyone’s necessities. I remember he compared [teaching] to pressing different buttons and flipping switches until the rocket takes off, which offered so many diverse ideas and perspectives to come to a solution in my playing either technically or musically.

“Furthermore, I credit Dr. McDonald for who I am today as a person. He has developed my character in several ways, which has led to a grounded confidence in my beliefs and standards. I truly couldn’t have done it without him and I will forever be grateful for his wisdom, guidance, and support.”

Jiyeon Han, mother of Tae Han

“My son had the privilege of studying with Dr. McDonald for seven years. Throughout this critical period of my son’s education, Dr. McDonald challenged him, always pushing for excellence, seeking opportunities to grow and executing them while remaining incredibly relational. He has an amazing gift for connecting with his students - his sense of humor probably played a big role in that! His success and reputation as both a pianist and a teacher are so well established that they hardly need mention. However, as a mother and a music educator myself, I especially appreciate how his guidance extended far beyond music - shaping my son’s understanding of what it means to be both a musician and an individual as a whole through the beauty of music. He truly instilled in my son the invaluable example of mentorship, something I deeply value, and hope my son will pass on to others.

“Dr. McDonald is a truly special teacher, and I wish there was a word that could fully capture our gratitude for all that he has done for our son.”