Awards/Competitions
2nd Place, 2023 Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition
Appearances
International Trumpet Guilds, 2023; Hangzhou Philharmonic, 2022–23; Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra, 2021–23; Aspen Music Festival and School, American Brass Quintet Seminar with Full Scholarship and Fellow, 2019; Orchestra Music Makers, Singapore, 2018; Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Orchestra, 2017–21
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
I grew up in a school’s marching band / wind ensemble, so I would say that my first memory of classical music was the rehearsal of Sibelius’ Finlandia for the first year concert at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in 2017. I didn’t know anything about orchestral playing or orchestral pieces at all, but I was stunned by the solo oboe passage in the middle of Finlandia.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
I learned a lot from different teachers and each of them has their own strengths, but I would say that I improved a lot while I studied with Mr. Sergey Tyuteykin, Tianjin Juilliard School’s trumpet faculty. He would try to help me and my studio mates fix problems with various methods for each person, and helped emphasize our strengths.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
I actually started to play music because I just wanted to be among friends and have fun together, and the more I spent my time on music, the more I wanted to keep doing it.
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
From friends who were in the program and posting about it on social media
How would you like to see orchestra concerts evolve in the future?
We should interact with audiences more, even give them a pre-concert talk to provide some interesting facts about the program. Audiences will enjoy the concert more if they have a deeper understanding of the music.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
After three years away from home due to the pandemic, I decided to mange a homecoming concert at the end of May 2023. In the concert I was performing a number of new solo trumpet pieces including my own composition, and there were a lot of people—from current students to alumni, fans, family, and friends—who came to support me. In addition to the concert I gave a master class as part of the project, and I felt like it was valuable for both me and the new generation of musicians in my home country.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
Music always brings me around the would to meet new people. Without music I wouldn’t be able to travel around and have fun at the same time!
Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
My high school band director, because he brought all of us together in the camp to train us for competitions and to teach us to live together as a society.
Tell us about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
I changed my embouchure during my undergrad and no matter how hard I tried it wouldn’t get better. I actually gave up for a while during the pandemic, to reset my emotion and attitude that I had with trumpet playing at that time. In the end, I just started all over again, being more patient with myself.
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
I like listening to jazz and really like to watch harmony analysis of any kind of music. I just think it is pretty cool. Of all the bands I like, the Bee Gees are my favorite.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
A gamer or a chef
What is a surprising part of playing your instrument that you think most people don’t know?
Our instrument seems pretty cheap but you will need a lot of them: B-flat, C, piccolo, rotary B-flat, rotary C, E-flat, flugelhorn, cornet, and mouthpieces that would fit on all of them. So the costs add up if you want to have all the keys, and you have to manage your time to practice them.
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
Dealing with a lot of people, changing orchestras, new pieces, and stress
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Keep doing it if you love it! And do it smartly.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
Start with better fundamentals, pay more attention to things other than playing (theory, history), basically start playing with smarter methods.