Doctor of Musical Arts
Piano Performance
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Master of Music
Performance & Pedagogy
University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Music
Piano Performance
University of Arkansas
Founder & directorEducation Appointments & honors
Dr. Helena Aung
Dr. Helena Aung is a pianist, pedagogue, and the founder of the Innovative Piano Program. She serves on the Piano Faculty at the UBC School of Music and received the 2024 Steinway & Sons Top Piano Teacher Award.
Originally from Thailand, Dr. Aung has performed as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, and regularly works with living composers to premiere contemporary music. She has given masterclasses across the United States, India, and Thailand, and has adjudicated national and international competitions.
Piano Faculty
UBC School of Music, Vancouver
Since 2024
Steinway & Sons
Top Piano Teacher Award, 2024
Bangkok Chopin Piano Competition
Prizewinner, 2011
Teaching philosophy
“I connect students to music through its historical background and personalized technical concepts—a journey that does not only shape accomplished musicians, but carries into everyday life and future education.”
Her work combines rigorous technical development, analytical thinking, musical context, and a practice system designed to build independence rather than dependence on the teacher.
Why IPP exists
Built from a story she knew from the inside.
Dr. Aung grew up moving from posting to posting, often far from a serious piano teacher. IPP was created as one continuous system that follows the student, so a family move never has to reset their progress.