Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Kuo.
Hi Colleen , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
-Preludes to the Formation of Coredenza-
My journey began with a deep love for both music and psychology. After earning degrees in Psychology and Piano Performance, I worked full-time as a behavior analyst in the field of autism therapy while also teaching piano part-time after hours. These two roles, though seemingly different, shared a common purpose—helping individuals grow, express themselves, and reach their potential.
About five years ago, I made the decision to merge these passions and fields of expertise into one meaningful path. It wasn’t an easy choice; it meant taking on more responsibility and uncertainty. Yet, it also opened the door to creativity, flexibility, and the chance to make a deeper impact
-Postludes…-
The name Coredenza was inspired by the musical term Cadenza—an improvised passage that gives performers the freedom to express themselves in a virtuosic and personal way. It symbolizes our mission to help learners discover their core strengths and reach their highest potential.
Today, Coredenza has evolved into a place that provides a wide variety of programs, including music and piano lessons, tutoring and academic support, art classes, social groups, and other neurodiversity-specific programs and developmental therapies. We integrate creative teaching with evidence-based learning approaches, helping students of all backgrounds thrive.
It’s been a journey of growth, creativity, and purpose—one that continues to inspire me every day as I see students gain confidence, focus, and joy through innovative and individualized approaches.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first started my own company, people often asked me: “How does it feel to be self-employed? To be an entrepreneur? Can you balance being a mom? Will it affect your relationships? How do you manage your time?”
When I share my experiences with others who are curious about the benefits and challenges of running their own practice, I always start by learning about their strengths, interests, and—most importantly—their “why.” Creating and sustaining a company has not been a smooth road—and in my opinion, it’s not meant to be. Growth rarely is. When reflecting on roadblocks, I have grouped them into two standpoints that have helped build resilience for both myself and my team.
From a realistic, day-to-day standpoint, there are many practical complications that come with owning a business. You may have to understand finances, stay compliant with taxes and regulations, and take responsibility for things like your own health insurance and benefits—things typically provided in a full-time position. After becoming an employer, I began to see things from a very different perspective compared to when I was an employee. There are also staffing challenges, finding the right team, scheduling conflicts, unexpected expenses, and the need to market and grow your programs. What I have learned regarding entrepreneurship is to educate yourself on the basics of business management early on, seek mentorship or professional guidance when needed, and build systems that allow you to stay organized. Accept that mistakes will happen—but view them as opportunities to learn and improve.
From a social and personal standpoint, there are also important adjustments. When starting my own practice and later creating a team, work took a big portion of my time. I’ve had to learn, and continue learning, how to balance time between family, partner, kids, other social life, and myself. It’s an ongoing process of finding harmony between my personal life and my professional purpose.
Despite the challenges, every obstacle has brought new lessons and growth. Seeing students progress, families feel supported, and staff find fulfillment in their work reminds me that the journey—while not always easy—is absolutely worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coredenza is a multidisciplinary learning and development center that integrates music, education, and developmental support to help learners of all backgrounds,neurodiverse and neurotypical, learn skills and grow in areas of needs. We offer a variety of programs that reflect our commitment to whole-person learning, including music and piano lessons, tutoring and academic support, art classes, social groups, and neurodiversity-specific developmental therapies. Our approach combines creative teaching methods with evidence-based practices drawn from psychology and behavioral science. Our mission is to create a community that celebrates progress and individuality of all learners of various backgrounds.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something very recent and personal that most people might not know is that I became a mother just a month ago under very unexpected circumstances. I had an emergency C-section at 30 weeks due to severe medical complications during pregnancy. It was one of the most difficult periods of my life—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Before pregnancy, I saw myself as an active, outdoorsy, and healthy person who rarely needed medical care. Suddenly, hospital visits became a daily routine, and my husband and I have spent the past month visiting our baby boy in the NICU as he overcomes his own medical challenges. The worries, exhaustion, and uncertainty continue, but so does hope.
This experience has changed me profoundly. It has taught me resilience in ways I could never have learned from work or education alone—to stay collected when unexpected happens, to find light when all seems dark, and to cherish the things we often take for granted. While these past months have been some of the hardest, they’ve also deepened my sense of gratitude, empathy, and strength—qualities that now influence how I lead, teach, and live each day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coredenza.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coredenza?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-kuo-m-s-bcba-a71241105/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/1K1C1EhT3V
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QCeCz5fMjgeivWmY7
