• Masters, East Asian Languages and Cultures, Washington University

• Bachelor of Arts, Piano Minor and Comparative Literature Major, University of Washington

Deanna Ren

General Piano Studies 

Deanna began pursuing a Bachelor's of Music in piano performance at the University of Washington, completing her junior recital and all theoretical, historical and pedagogical course requirements before ultimately declaring a music minor from a combination of minor injury and interdisciplinary academic pursuits. Having dealt with previous minor injury, she believes deeply in developing the habits of stretching, warming up, breathing exercises and proper posture to maintain longterm health of body and mind.

While at UW, she studied under Cristina Valdés, an innovative contemporary pianist with a strong foundation in classical training. Her fondest memories at UW involve chamber and solo music festivals: she participated in the Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop several times, playing four-hands piano pieces, trios, and quintets, and studied at the Brevard Music Center and Icicle Creek Winter Piano Festival in Leavenworth, WA. After graduating, Deanna served as an accompanist and pianist for the Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle, before going on to pursue a Master's degree in literature. As a multi-disciplinary artist, creative writer and scholar, Deanna believes in making connections between music, art, history and everyday life. Music is not only the act of playing the piano, but also playing with worlds of one's own and of others, through storytelling, remembering, listening and imagining. Hence, Deanna strongly encourages piano students to consider and appreciate the role of music in all aspects of life, from sounds of nature to film and videogame soundtracks to concertos and recitals.

Aside from playing and listening to music, Deanna enjoys badminton (which also requires stretching), creative writing, cooking, and watching movies.