Pianist Ran Deng had a big dream from an early age: to start her own piano school. While many others dreamed of a great career as soloists, it was clear to Ran Deng early on that her passion lay in teaching the art of piano playing.

Ran Deng studied at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, among other institutions, as well as at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich under Prof. Antti Siirala. She earned her master’s degree with honors. Following her master’s program, she studied with Prof. Margarita Höhenrieder in the continuing education certificate program “Master Class,” thus completing her piano training with the highest degree awarded by music conservatories.

Ran Deng first came to Munich to study—and ended up staying. In November 2014, she and her partner, Tamino Rat, opened the piano school “Klavierstunde München” in Isarvorstadt. Tamino Rat studied privately with Arturo Sudbrack Jamardo, a pianist and visiting professor at the Conservatoire Européen de Musique de Paris. After graduating from high school, he studied technology- and management-oriented business administration at the Technical University of Munich. By founding “Klavierstunde München,” he turned his passion into a career: at the piano school, he handles organization, administration, and marketing.

At first glance, the concept behind “Klavierstunde München” is surprisingly simple. The goal was to establish a piano school that employs only the best teachers and focuses on classical and jazz music. In addition, the founders of Klavierstunde München were committed to providing attractive, bright, and spacious classrooms in a central location, as well as high-quality instruments. Well-equipped rooms and excellent instruments are not only key elements of high-quality instruction. A pleasant, inviting environment also ensures that students experience their time at the piano school as a welcome musical break from everyday life.

A partnership with the city’s major piano stores was another important step toward expanding the piano school. Klavierstunde München now collaborates with the piano stores Piano Fischer, Klavier Hirsch, Hieber Lindberg, and Steinway-Haus München.

Klavierstunde München continues to grow: A second location opened in Haidhausen in 2017. This was followed by the opening of branches in Lehel and Bogenhausen in 2018, and in Neuhausen in 2019.

Klavierstunde München now has numerous students. Most of them take part in the annual student recitals—and look forward to showcasing their skills on a concert grand piano in front of family and friends.

Over the past few years, the piano school has grown steadily—and according to the two founders' plans, it will continue to do so!

Founder Tamino Rat has been elected vice chair of the State Association of Independent Music Institutes in Bavaria. The association advocates for free access to quality music education.

The piano school opened a new location at the Mozarthaus in Ludwigsvorstadt.

Opening of two new branches in the Altstadt and Großhadern neighborhoods.

Opening of a second branch in the Bogenhausen neighborhood, near the Prinzregententheater.