Teaching Topics and Philosophy

I’m fascinated by the human voice and I believe in the potential of voice as the ultimate instrument. As a voice teacher, I see singing as a life-long process of learning and exploring. From the experience of being a voice student myself, I deeply understand the importance of proper guidance and I teach with clear intentions. I like to help students understand the basic physiology of singing, bring awareness to the mind and body as a whole instrument, and maintain good vocal health. It is also my task to help each student develop their unique voice and find their personal interest in music. I tailor my teaching to the individual needs and goals of my students, helping them discover their own strengths, work on their weaknesses, and set achievable milestones for each stage. I aim to help my students develop a strong sense of self-motivation.

I work with voice students from beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. The topics include: functional vocal techniques, song-styling/song interpretations, stage presence, jazz repertoire, basic music theory, ear training, composition/song-writing, vocal improvisation, basic piano skills for vocalists, band-leading techniques for vocalists, and more.

Biography

Originally from China, Chenxi Pan is a vocalist, composer, and music educator based in New York City. Since moving to the U.S. in 2021, she has been developing a distinctive personal style and musical language, emerging as one of the most original new voices on the city’s jazz scene. With an expansive range, ethereal tone, and stellar pitch accuracy, Chenxi moves fluidly through musical landscapes—shifting seamlessly between lyrical storytelling and immersive sonic textures. Rooted in jazz tradition, her work embraces genre-blurring originality, offering fresh interpretations of standards alongside her own compositions.

Chenxi earned her bachelor’s degree in Jazz/Contemporary Music (Voice Concentration) from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. During her time there, she studied with renowned mentors including Reggie Workman, Sara Serpa, Michael Mayo, Sam Yahel, and Theo Bleckmann, and performed alongside esteemed musicians such as Steve Cardenas, Dave Glasser, Cyrus Chestnut, and Fred Hersch.

As a bandleader, Chenxi presented her original music at the renowned venue The Stone in November 2024. With the same sextet, she recorded her debut album This Very Moment in May 2025, featuring compositions that explore the expressive potential of the human voice and its role within ensemble-based contemporary music. As a featured vocalist in guitarist George Grydkovets’ band, she has performed and recorded with artists including John Raymond and Andy Clausen. She was in residence for a week at the historic International Jazzfestival Bern in April 2024 and has performed at noted venues and festivals across the U.S., Europe, and China.

Chenxi’s teaching experience began during her studies at The New School, where she was involved for three years in the peer-to-peer tutoring program. There, she gained hands-on experience teaching music theory, composition, improvisation, and vocal performance to students at various levels. Drawing from her own background as a student of music, she brings empathy and adaptability to her teaching, designing lessons that meet the individual needs of each learner.