About John


MPhil (Glasgow), PGHum (Open), LLCM (Teaching), ALCM (Teaching), DIPMUSLCM (Theory), MBA (Hull), BSEE (USC)


At the tender age of 7, John began his musical journey, performing his first recital at then Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore. He completed his Grade 8 Associate Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) Examinations in both Piano and Theory at just 15 years old, and holds a Masters Research Degree in Music from the University of Glasgow (MPhil), Diploma in Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) and Diploma in Music Literacy (DipMusLCM). 

With over 40 years of performance expertise, he has been teaching piano for more than 20 years. He has performed widely locally and internationally, in countries such as Mexico, USA, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

John has had the honour of performing for then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, as well as late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. He comes from a family of renowned musicians, including Jeremy Monterio and Claressa Monteiro. His late father was Emeritus Professor Ernest Steven Monteiro, Singapore's ambassador to the United States of America, Cambodia, Argentina and Brazil.

In 2007, he founded John Monteiro International Music School, which focuses on grooming students to perform in front of a live audience. Instruments taught include piano/keyboard, vocals, guitar and violin. 

John’s passion for philanthropy can be seen in his keen involvement with Singapore’s needy. He has volunteered at the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped, and is a Board Member of the Rare Diseases Society of Singapore. His annual student recitals raise funds and increase social awareness for the three groups he supports passionately: the terminally ill, people with special needs, and those from broken homes.

At the tender age of 7, John began his musical journey, performing his first recital at then Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore. He completed his Grade 8 Associate Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) Examinations in both Piano and Theory at just 15 years old, and holds a Masters Research Degree in Music from the University of Glasgow (MPhil), Diploma in Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) and Diploma in Music Literacy (DipMusLCM). 

With over 40 years of performance expertise, he has been teaching piano for more than 20 years. He has performed widely locally and internationally, in countries such as Mexico, USA, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

John has had the honour of performing for then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, as well as late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. He comes from a family of renowned musicians, including Jeremy Monterio and Claressa Monteiro. His late father was Emeritus Professor Ernest Steven Monteiro, Singapore's ambassador to the United States of America, Cambodia, Argentina and Brazil.

In 2007, he founded John Monteiro International Music School, which focuses on grooming students to perform in front of a live audience. Instruments taught include piano/keyboard, vocals, guitar and violin. 

John’s passion for philanthropy can be seen in his keen involvement with Singapore’s needy. He has volunteered at the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped, and is a Board Member of the Rare Diseases Society of Singapore. His annual student recitals raise funds and increase social awareness for the three groups he supports passionately: the terminally ill, people with special needs, and those from broken homes.

5 core teaching principles Always practice, Learning to play, Focus on both practical and theory, play music with our four senses and Always aim higher

TEACHING PRINCIPLES

John’s lessons are guided by 5 core teaching principles. 
Always Practice. Practice is an important technique to master. You spend 99% by yourself in the absence of your teacher.
Learning to play. You must learn to play both pieces you enjoy and ones that are tough.
Focus on both practical and theory. Practical and Theory must go hand in hand. Like a pair of chopsticks, you need both to be able to pick up food.
Play music with our four senses. Feel. Touch. Hear and See. Always use all of them.
Always aim higher. Stretching targets are important. If a student can play a Grade 4 piece quite easily, they must strive to conquer a grade above - by enrolling for the higher grade exams.

TESTIMONIALS

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