Founder of Dorayme Music
Christy Phang-Yau, originally from Malaysia, began piano lessons at the age of 12. She holds several teaching diplomas, including ATCL, LTCL, LGSM, LRSM, and an Advanced Performing Certificate. After moving to Christchurch, New Zealand, she earned a B.Mus in 1995 and became a registered Associate of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers New Zealand (IRMTNZ) in 1992. Over the years, she also achieved a Dip.Tchg for secondary schools (1998) and Dip IRMTNZ (2009). In recognition of her dedication, the IRMTNZ Council named her a Distinguished Branch Member (DBM) in 2018.
Christy’s teaching career expanded during her time at Technics Music Academy in Christchurch (1992-1995), where she explored rock, pop, jazz, and digital music. Inspired by her experience with the ABRSM Jazz Piano Exam, she incorporated jazz into her teaching alongside classical piano. Her community involvement includes conducting choirs at church and accompanying the Christchurch Junior Choir, even touring with them to Australia. Additionally, her occasional performances with the Canterbury Philharmonic Orchestra led her to learn cello and perform in its orchestra section.
An advocate for lifelong learning, Christy also pursued saxophone and bass lessons, regularly performing at mature student recitals. In 2001, she launched her Student-Teacher Programme, mentoring eight students to achieve ATCL diplomas, with several becoming IRMTNZ members. She presented a paper on this program at the 2017 Asia Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research (APSMER) in Malacca, Malaysia.
Christy founded Dorayme Academy of Music in Malaysia back in 1984. When she settled in Christchurch, she started Dorayme Music Tuition Studio that focuses on collaborative learning, with regular teacher training meetings to address teaching challenges. Christy also shares her expertise with colleagues by presenting at national IRMTNZ conferences, contributing to the development of New Zealand’s music education community.