Awards/Competitions
2nd Place, 2024 Colorado Flute Association Young Artist Competition; Finalist, 2023 Houston Flute Club Byron Hester Competition; Finalist alternate, 2022 National Flute Association Young Artist Competition
Appearances
Texas Music Festival, 2023; New World Symphony, substitute, 2023–25
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
Some of my earliest memories are from growing up in church, where I saw that music could touch people’s hearts and change moods in an instant. I more or less felt that music carried a special power.
When I was three, I joined group piano lessons with friends and families, and those first notes felt like my dearest moments and opened up a whole new world for me. At age eight, my mom gave me a flute for my birthday gift, and I have been forever in love with the sound of the wind. From that moment, my flute has been my companion, sharing every season of my childhood and continuing to shape my adult life.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
I am very fortunate to have had the right teachers at different stages of my life. I have learned so much from each of them and am forever grateful for their musicianship. My flute teacher during my undergraduate studies, Prof. Iris Hsiao Pei Ma, is the person who saw my potential and supported me in the warmest and most encouraging way I could imagine. Then, Prof. Aralee Dorough, whose kindness and passion have deeply influenced me, has given me so much enthusiasm for orchestral playing.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
In life, we sometimes meet people who change us so deeply that our path is never the same again. They see us in ways no one else does, believe in us when we can’t, and leave a warm mark on our hearts. My decision to become a musician wasn’t made in a single night, it grew from the inspiration of many amazing people around me. And they are my family, my teachers, my mentors, my peers, and my dear friends. 🙂
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
I wanted to be part of an orchestra and experience the sense of belonging to a group of musicians making music together. We all come from different corners of the world, yet sitting together on stage, playing as one.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
I wanted to say that being a musician is already something we should be very, very, very proud of. We showed up to the endless learning and practicing, for the performances, auditions, and competitions, we failed and we stood up again and again. We carry a mission to connect music with their audiences. We are the voice of our generation.
Can you share any memorable onstage mishaps?
Of course it had to do with page-turning! My pedal gave up mid-performance and even got connected to someone else’s iPad . . . but there was no time to panic! I ended up turning pages with my elbow the entire performance. Professional elbow page-turner, check.
What is a surprising part of playing your instrument that you think most people don’t know?
The flute may look small and delicate, but it’s a powerhouse for sure! In fact, it requires more air than a trombone! Unlike other wind instruments with mouthpieces or reeds, the flute has an open tone hole. So when we blow, half of our air goes inside the instrument while the other half escapes, and that’s why it can be so air-consuming. But while the flute may demand a lot of air, it rewards us with a whole world of color and sound!
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
For me, the challenge is to keep my body feeling good throughout playing. Holding a flute is naturally asymmetrical, and I used to struggle with back pain. Over time, I’ve become much more aware of my posture, learning to listen to my body and always put my well-being first. Caring for myself is now part of how I care for music.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Trust where the music will take you! It’s tough at times, but life is so much brighter when you’re doing something you truly love!!