About Our Studio and Team

Erika Gingery, Founder

BMus, MMus in Piano Pedagogy

Prior to starting the Philadelphia Piano Institute, Erika taught at several branches of Settlement Music School (Philadelphia), Music Training Center (Ardmore), Epicenter For The Arts (Fort Worth), and more. All told, she has over 9 years of professional teaching experience.

She has also worked as a collaborative pianist with numerous instrumentalists and vocalists in a professional setting, and she has provided event music in the Philadelphia area as well.

Erika received a master’s degree in piano pedagogy from Texas Christian University under the instruction of pedagogue Dr. Anne Gipson, and she studied with acclaimed pianist Sir Harold Martina during her two years at TCU as well.

She has worked with countless children, high schoolers and adults of all skill levels, and she relies on her vast knowledge of piano methods and repertoire to guide the Philadelphia Piano Institute’s curriculum and educational direction.

Adam Gingery, Founder

BMus, Mmus Piano Pedagogy & Brass Performance

Adam, a partner at a Philadelphia-based marketing agency, is an advertising professional with a master’s degree in music. After several years of building businesses for other people through digital means, he decided to do the same with a piano teaching practice here in Philadelphia.

He also founded musicstudiomarketing.com through which he collaborates with musicians, producers, and music schools around the world to grow their businesses.

Adam double-majored in piano pedagogy and euphonium performance during his undergrad years before focusing on the euphonium for his master’s degree at TCU. He spent six years in a professional setting as a collaborative pianist, performed as a vocalist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in pops concerts, and has won awards on the euphonium from the Leonard Falcone festival, ITEA, IET, Young Texas Artists, and more.

Dr. Junwen Liang

DMA, Penn State, MMus, Indiana University

Dr. Junwen Liang, a Chinese pianist, embarked on his musical journey at nine. His solo debut was at thirteen. He has showcased his talent as a soloist with orchestras like the Central Texas Philharmonic and earned accolades at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center. His performances have graced the airwaves on WSKG and WRTI Classical Radio in Philadelphia. In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Junwen plans to captivate audiences with live and virtual performances across the United States, Italy, and China. Junwen holds degrees from Penn State (DMA), Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (MM), and Ithaca College (BM) and is currently pursuing a graduate professional diploma at the Peabody Institute under Richard Goode's guidance.

Michael Pingel, Piano Instructor

BMus, MMus in Piano Performance

As early as he can remember, Michael Pingel has had a deep love for classical music. His earliest memories include watching his mother play piano in the evenings, and attending concerts given by Ian Hobson at the University of Illinois in his hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Michael studied under Vincent Trauth at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, before transferring to Greenville University in Southern Illinois to complete his bachelor of music degree in Piano Performance under Sarah Todd.

After completing his undergraduate degree, he married his fiancée and moved to Utah to pursue a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance under Dr. Josh Wright. While there, he placed 2nd in the Summer Arts Piano Competition. He also had the opportunity to perform in masterclasses by Frank Weinstock and Simon Trpčeski. After completing his graduate work, he studied briefly with Dr. Susan Duehlmeier before moving to New Jersey where he currently resides in Franklin Park.

Stefanie Eichmann, Piano Instructor

Mannes Conservatory, under Hugo Goldenzweig

Stefanie began playing piano at the age of four. She studied piano performance at  the Mannes Conservatory of Music in New York City under the instruction of Hugo  Goldenzweig. Although she has been classically trained, Stefanie also developed a passion for pop, rock, and indie music. While living in New York, she had the  opportunity to perform for an audience of 10,000 people at Mohegan Sun Arena as  keyboardist for the pop/rock band Someday Static. 

Since moving back to the Philadelphia area, Stefanie has taught piano at Bach 2  Rock (Wayne) and Music & Arts (Plymouth Meeting). She has more than 8 years of  experience teaching students of all ages.  

Stefanie has accompanied many local bands/artists as a keyboardist and also continues her study of classical piano. She is currently the songwriter and keyboardist of the local indie pop band MANES. While Stefanie teaches all styles of music, she believes classical training is the best foundation.

Catherine Shefski, Piano

MMus, New England Conservatory

Catherine Shefski is a piano soloist and educator with a B.A. from Smith College, an M. Mus. in PIano Performance from New England Conservatory, an LGSM Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from the Guildhall School of Music, London, and additional post-graduate studies with the late Karl Ulrich Schnabel. As a piano teacher, she brings decades of experience from her days on the piano faculty at Settlement Music School and Wilkes College Conservatory.

Catherine believes that every student can find joy in music-making once they find their niche, whether that be classical, jazz, popular music, or a combination. As a screenwriter, she addresses this musical theme in her movie, “Playing With Beethoven,” currently streaming on most VOD platforms.

Jaime Alberto Malagon, Piano

BMus, Music Theory and Piano Performance, University of North Texas (bilingual)

Jaime Malagon studied piano with Mr. Joel Rosen in Ardsley, New York and attended University of North Texas graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Music in Music theory and piano performance. His extensive career of solo, accompanying, ensemble playing, and teaching have exposed him to many different countries, cultures, languages, and the global diversity of music performance practices, music education and music history.

He has accompanied the Houston Ballet, Stage 7 Dance Theater, San Francisco Ballet, UNCSA, Rock school of dance, and most recently Philadelphia Ballet. Throughout his career as a music teacher, he has directed The Fantasticks, Man of La Mancha, Kiss me Kate, Working, and other musicals.

Mr. Malagon has always had an interest and fascination with the art of improvisation inclusive of all styles of music, from the Classical to jazz and popular music. His pedagogy is imbued with a strong connection that elucidates to bring forth from his students the innate individual expression of the performer manifested through improvisation, technique, practice methods, harmonic analysis, rhythm, and structural forms of compositions.

Dr. Younkyung Rhea Kim, Piano

B.M (Oberlin Conservatory), M.M, D.M in Piano Performance (Indiana University)

Dr. Kim is an avid educator and a versatile performer. She currently performs and teaches actively in Philadelphia, PA.

Rhea’s teaching carries the influence of distinguished pianists and pedagogues from around the world. Her students have been accepted to prestigious music schools, and have won prizes in national and international competitions. Her teaching career spans from institutions such as Indiana University to Kabarak University(Kenya) where she’s had the pleasure of working with students of a broad range of cultures, personalities, ages, and learning styles.

Rhea enjoys performing at national and international concert venues as a soloist and chamber musician. She loves playing the piano, harpsichord, and organ. Her repertoire consists of a wide range of keyboard works from William Byrd to George Crumb. As Director of Music at First Baptist Church Philadelphia, Rhea programs diverse musical pieces every Sunday.

Rhea enjoys her free time playing games, spending time with friends and family, and learning French!

Dr. Sam Yulsman, Piano, Jazz and Composition

DMA in Composition, Columbia University

Sam Yulsman is a pianist and composer with a DMA in composition from Columbia University. A stylistically versatile expert in jazz and classical piano, theory, composition, and improvisation, he’s performed with a wide array of artists including the Sun Ra Arkestra, the Longmont Symphony, Gary Burton, Ikue Mori, Alicia Hall Moran, and Art Lande. As a teacher with six years of experience, Sam fosters dynamic, engaging spaces for students to explore the music that inspires them most - whether that is learning the subtleties of classical technique, mastering how to play jazz standards, composing a string quartet, or improvising freely.

Eric Delagrange, Voice

Professional Opera Singer Signed With Quintana Artist Management

Eric, an up-and-coming baritone based in Philadelphia, is currently signed with Quintana Artist Management. His professional roles have included Albert Herring, Eugene Onegin, Rusalka, and many, many more. He has performed with The Princeton Festival, Music Academy of the West, Heartbeat Opera, and others.

A graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Spruce Street, Eric remains active in the Philadelphia community despite the demands on his time from opera companies around the country.

John Drake, Voice

BMus in Voice Performance University of Georgia, MMus in Voice performance Temple University(in progress)

John Drake is an emerging young artist coming from Athens, Ga who is currently pursuing his masters in vocal performance from Temple University. John has worked in a variety of professional singing engagements in a variety of styles, and provides a well balanced approach to singing stemming from a passion for pedagogy. John has sung across the southeast in ensemble and solo settings, and participated in the American Institute of Music Studies in Graz, Austria where he was coached by some of the preeminent teachers and coaches in Europe. He has performed roles such as Don Alfonso, Luka, and Enrico, and has extensive knowledge of diction and technique that he is excited to share.