Hey there! I’m Charlie Tran,
a jazz pianist, educator, and founder of Novu Jazz Academy.
Find me on all my socials here:
After working with hundreds of students, I’ve learned something important: most people don’t struggle with jazz because they lack talent - they struggle because they never learned how to actually apply the concepts they’re studying. Plenty of students understand the theory, but the real challenge is integrating those ideas into your hands, your ears, and your playing.
We’ve all been there - bouncing between YouTube videos, random theory tips, and complicated methods that leave you with more exercises than actual music. I went through all of that myself. I knew the concepts, I understood the theory, and I could demonstrate plenty of exercises… but when it came time to sit down and play a jazz tune? I still sounded like a complete amateur.
That’s exactly why I built Novu Jazz Academy.
Inside, you’ll get lifetime access to the systems that finally helped me bridge the gap - the same systems I use with my private students to help them actually play jazz, not just practice snippets of licks and drills. And if you’re completely new to jazz, don’t worry - there are courses designed to get you started the right way.
No fluff. No overwhelming theory. Just a clear, practical way to learn the language of jazz and use it at the piano.
If jazz has ever felt confusing or out of reach, I made this for you. My goal is to help you understand what you’re doing at the piano - and enjoy the process along the way.
Get Inside My Head
Watch me break down essential jazz elements to get an idea of my perspectives
Hear From Some Of My Private Students
Charlie Tran
Pianist / educator / coach
Charlie Tran is a jazz pianist with a broad background spanning other genres, including classical and pop. He earned his degree from the renowned Moore’s School of Music at the University of Houston, where he studied classical piano.
In 2025, after a successful decade, Charlie closed his in-person piano teaching practice, Novu Music Academy, to focus full time on coaching jazz piano students online and developing Novu Jazz Academy, his online jazz piano education platform.
Some of Charlie’s other contributions to music education include:
2025 • Closed Novu Music Academy to fully focus on various forms of online jazz education
2021 - 2023 • Chairman of the music theory department of HMTA (Houston Music Teacher's Association)
2019 - 2023 • Designed the college preparatory portion of the Emery/Wiener school's piano curriculum
2021 • Selected as the music director for the grand opening of the Elgin St. Studios at the University of Houston
2020 • Co-chair of the music theory committee of HMTA (Houston Music Teacher’s Association)
2020 • Created a series of online piano courses in composition and improvisation at the International Music Academy in Houston
2019 • Cofounder & director of the rock band at the T.H. Roger's School
2016 • Opened a private piano teaching practice: Novu Music Academy
Interested In 1:1 Mentorship?
If you would much rather prefer a one-on-one experience, send me an email at charlie@novujazzacademy.com. In the email, include a bit about:
Your current jazz piano experience
Your short term and long term goals
A video of your playing (optional but very helpful)
Looking forward to hearing from you!
- Charlie