Jo-Yee Cheung

Jo is an RNCM-funded music education researcher looking at the role of parents in the development of metacognition in children during musical learning.

Strongly influenced by the Cambridgeshire Independent Learning (C.Ind.Le) project, Jo is interested in using observational methodologies to examine how different forms of parental support may help young children (aged 6-8) to develop metacognitive and self-regulatory skills which support instrumental practice.

Since commencing her PhD studies in 2017, Jo has presented papers at the RNCM and York Music Education Conference 2018, as well as publishing an article in the European Piano Teacher Association magazine, Piano Professional. 

In February 2019, Jo will undertake a 3-month research trip to the University of Canberra to work with Professor Deborah Pino-Pasternak, one of the original pioneers of the C.Ind.Le project, and collect data in Australia. 

The aim of this research, ultimately, is to help equip parents with an understanding of metacognition and the skills needed to best support, and accelerate, their children’s musical learning at home – regardless of parents’ previous musical experience or expertise.

Before beginning her PhD, Jo completed a BA in Music at the University of Cambridge, as well as undertaking an MMus in Piano Performance and a PGDip in Advanced Studies at the RNCM, with a scholarship. 

Jo is also the Director of the Olympias Music Foundation, a charity which aims to increase access to high quality music education amongst deprived groups in Manchester.