Xiao Dong

Dr. Xiao Dong is an experienced violin educator dedicated to cultivating reflective, independent musicians. Since 2021, she has taught students across North America, Asia, Europe, and South America through one-on-one virtual lessons and small group workshops. Known for her thoughtful approach and strong student connections, she creates inclusive spaces where learners feel safe to explore, reflect, and grow. Dr. Xiao specializes in helping students develop self-awareness in their practice. Her lessons integrate real-time feedback, customized video instruction, and personalized practice plans with reflective prompts. She encourages students to set goals, critique their progress, and overcome technical challenges creatively. Her teaching balances technical precision with artistic freedom, helping each student build solid fundamentals while developing their unique musical voice. Rooted in her classical training at Soochow University (M.Mus., Violin Performance, 2018), Dr. Xiao further deepened her teaching philosophy during her Ph.D. studies in Music Education at Western University (Canada, 2025). Her research explores metacognition and student agency in violin education, which directly informs her teaching strategies. Dr. Xiao’s culturally adaptive approach draws from her experience navigating both Chinese and Canadian educational systems. She is especially attentive to the psychological needs of learners, fostering resilience, self-confidence, and a love for music-making. Her students have achieved strong results in competitions and Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) examinations. Highlights include: Competition Awards: 1st Place – Ontario Music Festivals Association, Kiwanis Cape Breton, Yip’s Music Festival Top 3 – North York Music Festival (solo and duet categories) RCM Exam Results: Level 8: 91 | Level 7: 83 | Level 3: 90 | Level 1: 93 Dr. Xiao continues to support aspiring musicians of all ages through meaningful, student-driven instruction tailored to individual growth.