Cameron Tong
Cameron Tong is the Founder and Director of the Irvine School of Music and People's Music. With over 20 years as an educator in both private and group settings, Cameron is a highly coveted pianist, collaborator, teacher, and clinician in Southern California. He is one of the leading West Coast experts in the Taubman teachings, promoting a healthy approach to piano technique that unlocks virtuosity at all stages of the learning process.
His Story
Background and Accolades Though accepted on full scholarship by a number of the major conservatories, Cameron ultimately chose a Liberal Arts education at the University of Virginia in the Honors College. Cameron's formative years in Virginia saw triumph in numerous competitions in Washington D.C. He successfully collaborated with notable local chamber musicians, and generously donated his time to ensembles and soloists. Cameron is the winner of the 2002 National Society of Arts and Letters Piano Competition, and has been featured on the Arts Council of Eastern Shore Concert Series. He studied on a scholarship at the 2001 Aspen Music Festival, and has been heard in masterclasses alongside some of the most significant musicians of our time, including Andre Watts, the Guarneri String Quartet, Joseph Kalichstein, and Menahem Pressler.
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California Dreaming
In 2004, Cameron relocated to Southern California to study with Nina Scolnik at UC Irvine. He earned a Master of Fine Arts in Piano Performance in 2006 and has continued his post-graduate work with Dr. Teresa Dybvig.
Work in Progress
The Irvine School of Music had humble beginnings, initially serving as Cameron's piano studio. Passionately seeking piano teaching that wasn’t exclusively focuced on an instrument, Cameron was on a quest to discover innovative ways to help his students achieve musical success. After 7 years, Cameron recognized the need to create programs that would fulfill specific student needs and founded his Choir program. Other programs soon followed suit, including Songwriting, Composition, Guitar and Strings. In 2011, Cameron's piano studio officially became the Irvine School of Music.
Irvine School of Music
Cameron’s studios are located in both Irvine and Los Angeles and his diverse student body includes young and adult pianists of all levels and nationalities. His students are talented competitive youth, adults who play for fun, and professional musicians aiming to become career piano players.
Commitment and Pride
As school Director, Cameron is committed to the success of each student and every member of his dedicated team. Cameron is immensely proud of his students’ accomplishments and all the performers in this concert!
Passion and Gratitude
To Cameron, music is more than just sound; it is movement, storytelling and therapy. At the age of 19, Cameron suffered a life changing injury involving his right hand and had to retrain his technique. He is dedicated to helping musicians apply ergonomically founded music education to help students become one with their instruments through natural movement and alignment. Cameron is grateful for the opportunity to share his love of music with students and audiences and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the future of musical innovation.
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People's Music
Since it's establishment in 2024, Cameron has worked tirelessly to create a non-profit company that not only uses the power of music to help those who have had performance related injuries, but others in underserved communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ and senior communities.