I started playing the piano when I was 13. Upon entering university in 1993 my piano career took a twelve year hiatus until 2005, when I returned to piano studies with my long time teacher Boris Zarankin. Since then, I have participated in master classes and piano competitions. My master class coaches include Anton Kuerti, Andre Laplante, Marietta Orlov and Lawrence Pitchko. I had been featured at TSMAF`s “Emerging Artists in Concert” at Walter Hall, and as a Young Artist with Off Centre Music Salon at Glenn Gould Studio.
Below is my full story. You can also find out:
…….. my repretoire …
…….. my favorite things …
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“My first piano lesson was a failure… instead I picked Er-Hu.”
I was born in Hong Kong and studied at Rosaryhill School, where I spent my kindergarten and then primary school years at. I still remember for my Grade 6 music class examination, me and five other classmates chose to sing the theme song from the famous Japanese TV series “Story of Oshin“. I didn’t know any classical music, and pop music was my only exposure to music at that time. When I was 7 years old, I decided to have piano lesson, hoping to be able to play Hong Kong pop tunes that my mother often played. After less than 1 month of piano lessons, I gave up! I didn’t have the discipline, nor the passion for music. I just hated practising!
When I was 12 years old, I entered into St. Paul’s Co-ed College, in which each student was required to learn at least one instrument. Guess what? For novelty, I picked Er-Hu, while most of my classmates opted for more conventional options, such as piano, violin, and cello.
It was in this environment that my passion for classical music was ignited. I was fascinated by the beautiful sound my classmates made from their instruments. Listening to Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” during music class and Chopin’s Polonaise Op.53 (Hero) performed by a senior student during the class assembly opened my ears to the wonderful world of classical music.
I started purchasing classical music cassette tapes. (CD was not available yet.) One day I came across a tape with the title “The People United Will Never be Defeated!”, I thought it was such an inspiring name and bought it. Then I came across another one called “The Ring of the Nibelung“, with a piece called: “Immolation Scene“. “Immolation”: a big serious word which I didn’t even know.
The cries of the Valkeries, the powerful emotions of The Ring, and the stirring theme of “The People United Will Never be Defeated!” opened me up to a new world. Even though I didn’t understand a word sung in the opera, I was fascinated by the picture of the dragon slain by a boy with a sword on the cassette tape cover. My love of Wagner and mythologies started from this time.
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“My first piece? Für Elise!”
I decided that I must learn to play the piano, and my first piece? Für Elise!
I was only able to recognize what middle C looks like on a score, therefore I had to write down the letter names of almost every single note on the score in order to learn the music. I practised extremely hard, and after 3 months, finally, I was able to play through the first page, hitting only 50% wrong notes, and stopping only 10 times through my way. What an accomplishment!
Then I discovered Richard Clayderman! Yea, I know serious music students are not amused when knowing someone that likes Richard Clayderman. Well… he was so popular in Hong Kong, and I really loved his “Ballade pour Adeline”! I bought all his music scores and cassette tapes. It was from his own arrangement of popular classical music such as Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 or Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata that I get further introduced to the classical masters.
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“… learning the piano when I was 13…”
I started really learning the piano when I was 13 years old, when I immigrated to Toronto with my family. I started with a piano teacher from RCM, Catherine Russell. After she passed away, I studied with Boris Zarankin, co-founder of Off Centre Music Salon. I was totally passionate about classical music, and I practised extremely hard. I completed the ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance at the age 18.
It was a tough decision! Should I study music, or get into a more conventional academic program? I sent in the application form and had arranged for an audition with RCM, but… at the last minute, I opted for the easy route: study business! I knew at that time I was not musically gifted. I just worked extremely hard, but I didn’t speak through the music. I was playing the piano, not making art. It was a hard decision, but I still believe today that it was a right one for me.
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“Saying good-bye to my beloved Lady Piano …”
Upon entering York University’s Schulich School of Business, my piano study was halted for 12 years. The work load of the business program was too daunting to allow any time for practising. It was initially quite depressing to have to say good-bye to my beloved mistress, Lady Piano.
After I graduated, I was busy with my career, and at the same time studying on the side for further academic credentials. Piano was not even thought of.
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…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..“and finally back with my mistress!”
In 2005, I feel that my career is on track, and I started studying piano again with Boris Zarankin, co-founder of Off Centre Music Salon. After more than 10 years of hiatus, I was finally back with my mistress!
I started participating again in local music festivals, and was awarded the Best of Festival Award from Yip’s Music Festival and the Markham Music Festival Trophy. Through a friend I met at Kiwanis Music Festival, and with the encouragement of Boris Zarankin, I started also having coaching sessions with other teachers such as Lawrence Pitchko and Michael Esch. I participated in the Toronto Summer Music Academy and Festival, attended master classes of Anton Kuerti, Andre Laplante, Marietta Orlov, and James Anagnoson.
“I am currently …”
I am currently working at Algorithmics Inc. I have an MBA from York University, and am a holder of FRM , CFA , and PMP. I enjoy reading, traveling, and listening to music for leisure.
I like to share my passion for classical music with my friends, while at the same time contribute to the needy in society. Hence in 2006 I started organizing and performing in charity fund raising concerts. Since 2006, I have been helping to raise funds for charity organizations such as Oxfam Canada, SickKids Foundation, and World Vision Canada.
Through other amateur pianists in Toronto, I first knew about international amateur competitions in 2008. I have been awarded 2nd prize for the 2009 Boston International Piano Competition, and 3rd prize for 2008 Washington International Piano Artists Competition (also awarded both the Press Jury Award and Best Performance of a Romantic Period).
