Malissa Tong joined NSMS in 2022. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Tong is a dedicated music educator and pianist with a wealth of experiences and a unique professional perspective. She earned her Doctor of Arts degree in Piano from Ball State University with emphases in chamber music/accompanying and music education, studying with Dr. Ray Kilburn. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University, where she studied with Dr. Christopher Fisher. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with a concentration in pedagogy, and she is a certified K-12 public school music teacher in the state of New York.
Dr. Tong has taught students of all ages and levels for well over a decade. While completing her doctoral studies, she maintained a private studio and taught general music, choir, and band at St. Mary school in Muncie, IN. She assisted Professor Phoenix Park-Kim at Indiana Wesleyan University with class piano, applied piano, and pedagogy coursework. Additional training includes numerous pedagogy seminars at the graduate level, and a case study in piano studio teaching for her doctoral dissertation. Most importantly, Dr. Tong loves teaching and is constantly striving to give her students the best she has to offer.
Dr. Tong remains active as a performer and presenter. She enjoys playing stylistically diverse programs and extended piano techniques. Dr. Tong has presented and performed at regional and national conferences such as NCKP and MTNA. She adjudicated in the 2019-2020 National Federation Music Club Junior Festival, where she has been employed as treasurer since 2020. She also served as administrative assistant for the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition from 2017-2019, and is currently the assistant director of the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, where she assists in organizing the annual competition for young artists.