Joan Gauthier · Pianist & Educator
My Approach
A Polymath View of the Piano
Architecture, language sciences and the education of the senses — three worlds converging into a unique pedagogy shaped by 20 years of international teaching.
Background
An atypical journey
in service of your music
A graduate of the Conservatoire (CFEM, unanimous distinction), Joan has lived and taught in Paris, New York, London, and Singapore since 2015. Her global trajectory — at the crossroads of architecture, language sciences, and sommellerie — led to a deeply original, open pedagogy.
Joan is the only teacher in Singapore to combine these three disciplines in her piano teaching.
Get in touch with Joan →"My role is to give you a rigorous academic foundation, while remaining attentive to your own sensitivity — to help you trace your unique musical path."— Joan Gauthier
The Method
Three worlds,
one unique pedagogy
I
Architecture
Her architectural training taught her to perceive a musical work as a building — visualising structure, building technique with balance and solidity. Playing the piano is inhabiting a sonic space.
II
Language Sciences
Her linguistics training allows her to decode each student's individual learning mode and adapt her tools to their cognitive logic — facilitating learning for all profiles, including neurodiverse students.
III
Education of the Senses
Drawing from sommellerie, this approach transmits the art of "sonic tasting" — perceiving harmonic colours and varying the texture of touch for nuanced, sensitive interpretation.
IV
Musical Ownership
Music is both a medium and a means of expression. Teaching aims for the student to truly own each piece. Once mastered, we experiment, vary, and create freely.
International Career
20 years of
global teaching
2015 →
🇸🇬 Singapore — Founder of Les Sonatines, 29 Binchang Rise. ADHD certification 2024.
2012–2015
🇬🇧 London — Founded Les Sonatines. Deepened musical phrasing through cello study under Frédérique Legrand.
2008–2012
🇺🇸 New York — Founded Les Sonatines. Interior architect (Young Huh NY, David Yum NY).
2006–2008
🇫🇷 Paris — Interior architect and designer (DEGW Paris).
1991–2006
Conservatoire Maurice Ravel — Piano CFEM diploma, awarded unanimously by the jury.
Qualifications & Distinctions
Academic
excellence
🥇 Top of Class
Ordre des Architectes
Ranked 1st at the Architectural Draughtsman competition (EPSAA).
🎓 Unanimous Jury
CFEM · Conservatoire
Piano diploma awarded with distinction unanimously — technical mastery and artistic sensitivity recognised.
✦ Fondation Vallet
Fondation de France
Merit-based scholarship for higher studies in arts and architecture in Paris.
Ready to meet Joan?
First session
no commitment required
Come and discover the atelier and Joan's unique approach.
Contact Joan →