Meet The Team

Crystal Lin is the owner of Musical Minds Academy and an Advanced Specialist in Piano and Music Theory, certified by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). She is also a BCRMTA-certified music teacher and holds an ARCT diploma in Piano Performance, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her unique blend of scientific insight and musical expertise forms the foundation of her engaging, results-driven approach to music education.
 

Crystal began her musical journey at the age of four and has since developed into a versatile musician, learning multiple instruments—including the viola—and competing in numerous piano and viola competitions. These early experiences sparked a lifelong passion for music and a deep commitment to teaching.
 

With her academic background in neuroscience, Crystal understands the profound impact of music on cognitive development, especially in young learners. She integrates research-backed principles with time-tested teaching methods to nurture both technical mastery and intellectual growth. Her lessons aim to develop not only musical excellence, but also critical thinking, discipline, and creativity—skills that serve students well beyond the studio.
 

Under her guidance, students at Musical Minds Academy have consistently achieved exceptional results in RCM examinations, earning top marks across all levels. Many have also distinguished themselves in local and national competitions and continued their musical studies at advanced levels. Crystal’s dedication to high-quality, individualized instruction ensures that every student builds a strong foundation and a lasting love for music.

Diego Sanchez is a versatile pianist, vocalist, and passionate Music Educator, holding Bachelor's Degrees in Music Composition for Media (with Honourable Mention) and Contemporary Voice Singing from EMMAT, a Berklee Global Partner. With a background in composing and orchestrating for film, video games, and series, he brings a dynamic and creative approach to teaching.
 

Diego has extensive experience teaching piano and voice to students of all ages and levels. He tailors lessons to each student’s goals, blending the RCM curriculum with repertoire from classical, jazz, and Latin American genres. His lessons emphasize music theory, technique, and artistic expression in a supportive and inspiring environment.
 

Currently pursuing studies in Music & Technology at Douglas College, Diego integrates fresh, modern perspectives into his teaching. He believes music is both a discipline and a joyful art form — to study music, we must learn the rules. To create music, we must play with them and break them!

Michael Lam is an accomplished piano instructor and a distinguished graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, holding a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy. With over eight years of dedicated experience, he has a proven track record of guiding students of all ages to success.
 

His expertise was further demonstrated in his role as Head Music Teacher at a primary school in Hong Kong, where he nurtured a vibrant music program. Now based in Vancouver, Michael Lam brings his international experience and fluency in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese to a new community of learners.

His teaching philosophy balances strong technical skills with a genuine enjoyment of music, ensuring every student discovers  passion for learning piano.

Jeslyn is a classically trained pianist with over 16 years of playing experience, having begun piano studies at the age of four. She holds a Grade 8 ABRSM certification and has performed in both national and international competitions, including an invited concert appearance in Taiwan.

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With over four years of teaching experience, Jeslyn specializes in teaching young beginners. Her lessons are engaging, and structured, with a strong focus on building solid technical foundations, and confidence. She also supports students in preparing for classical piano exams and early competition experiences.

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Currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Early Childhood Education at Simon Fraser University, Jeslyn brings valuable insight into child development to her teaching approach. Her patient and nurturing style helps students feel comfortable, motivated, and excited to learn, laying the groundwork for both academic success and a lifelong love of music.

Kinsey Walker is a passionate piano instructor with over 13 years of Royal Conservatory of Music training and a Diploma in Music Technology from Douglas College. She is currently pursuing RCM Level 10 Piano certification and brings a strong foundation in classical piano, music theory, and modern music education.
 

Kinsey has experience teaching students of different ages and skill levels. Her lessons are thoughtfully tailored to each student’s individual goals, whether they are learning for enjoyment, building confidence at the piano, or preparing for RCM examinations. She focuses on developing strong technical skills, musical expression, and a positive learning experience.
 

With her background in music technology and diverse musical environments, Kinsey brings a fresh and well-rounded approach to teaching. She is dedicated to helping students build a strong musical foundation while encouraging creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of music.

Melody is a dedicated educator who combines high-level musical achievement with a strong professional background in early childhood development. Having attained high level proficiency in RCM in both performance and theory, she brings technical proficiency and artistic insight to guide students through a wide and engaging range of repertoire.

What sets Melody apart is her dual expertise as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher and her specialized knowledge of the RCM Smart Start™ pedagogy. With over two years of piano teaching experience, her teaching philosophy emphasizes a thoughtful balance between technical mastery and artistic expression by nurturing discipline alongside a genuine love for music,

Melody ensures that each student develops not only the skills to play confidently, but also the passion to grow as a lifelong musician.

Tracy began her piano journey at the age of five and achieved her ATCL (Associate of the Trinity College London) Diploma at just 15. She later graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and is currently pursuing a Music Diploma in Piano Performance at Douglas College, where she was awarded a Distinction Scholarship.

With extensive experience as both a performer and accompanist, Tracy brings depth and versatility to her music. She is also deeply committed to community service, having dedicated a full year to teaching piano voluntarily to children from underprivileged families in Hong Kong.

A dedicated and detail-oriented musician, Tracy excels in piano performance, music theory, and ear training. She is passionate about inspiring others through her teaching and performance, nurturing a love for music in every student she works with.

Jay is a versatile and dedicated music instructor with a Bachelor of Music in Guitar and Keyboard from the University of Victoria. During his studies, he trained in classical guitar under Dr. Alexander Dunn and Simon Farintosh.
 

He has experience teaching students of various ages and skill levels in classical, acoustic, and electric guitar, as well as ukulele, keyboard, music theory, and RCM exam preparation. Jay’s teaching style is patient, structured, and encouraging, with lessons thoughtfully tailored to each student’s interests, learning pace, and musical goals.

Whether students are learning for enjoyment, preparing for performances, or pursuing formal music studies, Jay is committed to helping them build confidence, strong musical foundations, and a lasting appreciation for music.

Damanpreet is our In-Studio Assistant and the friendly point of contact at the studio for our families.

Ya Ya is an accomplished music educator, pianist, flutist, accompanist, and choral performer with a strong academic and performance background. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Music from Hong Kong Baptist University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She also earned the ABRSM Advanced Certificate in Piano Performance in 1999 and a Flute Performance Certificate in 2003.
 

After completing her studies, Ya Ya taught music in both secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong, where she developed extensive experience working with young students. She has trained many students in recorder performance for the ABRSM Grade 5 examinations and the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, with students achieving merits in their performances.
 

In addition to teaching, she continues to be actively involved in music performance as a church accompanist and choral performer.

Ya Ya brings a deep love of music, strong teaching experience, and a rich performance background to her students. She is passionate about helping students build musical confidence, technical skills, and a lasting appreciation for music.

Felix and Junior are Crystal's cats, who are seven and two years old, respectively. They are very friendly and regularly visit the studio!