Executive & Musical Director

Emily Chiet directs the repertory rehearsals & privately teaches a majority of the students in the performance group Magical Strings West. Her teaching approach has been shaped by many wonderful teachers over the course of 25+ years of teaching, but she is strongly influenced by the work of her mentors, Sue Mann & master pedagogue, Betty Haag.

Emily started teaching violin at the age of sixteen when she was invited to start an after-school violin class at the elementary school that fed into her junior-senior high school. Starting in 1997 she attended the University of Central Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree under the tutelage of Dr. Ayako Yonetani. Throughout that time she maintained a private studio & taught after-school programs at underserved elementary schools in Orlando, FL. After graduating she began a career as an orchestra teacher in the public school system. While in Florida she taught exclusively strings, but after moving to California branched out into teaching band, chorus, digital music, & general music at all levels K-12. During that time she pursued Suzuki training & established the K-1-2 Suzuki program at Oak Knoll Elementary in Menlo Park, winning two awards for her work. In 2018 Emily began working as the assistant teacher for Magical Strings West & became the Executive & Musical Director in 2021. 

In addition to her work in education, Emily maintains an active performing career. She specializes in musical theater & opera & is a tenured member of the 1st violin section with West Bay Opera.

Piano Accompanist

Eric Kong is a Bay Area-based collaborative pianist who performs regularly with choirs, instrumentalists, musical theater productions, and jazz bands throughout the area. He is delighted to be joining Magical Strings West for their Spring Concert.

Thank You for Your Help!

Thank you to Unity Palo Alto Spiritual Center & Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center for providing space for our rehearsals & performances. Above all, thank you to everyone who jumps in to volunteer at rehearsals & performances. We couldn’t do this without your support!