Awards/Competitions
2023 J.C. Van Hulsteyn Award, Peabody Institute; Silver Award, New Talent British International Youth Music Competition; Silver Award, Violin Youth Group, 2021 European and Chinese Crescendo International Music Competition; First Place, Violin Group, Hunan String Competition
Appearances
Beijing International Music Festival, 2023; Zhuhai Strings Masterclass, 2020
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
During my childhood, every night before going to bed my father would play some short violin pieces for me on the computer, such as Dvořák’s Humoresque. This was my earliest exposure to classical music.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
During my undergraduate years, my violin teacher not only gave me a lot of professional guidance, but, more importantly, she always emphasized the importance of becoming a better person. She often said, “Be a good person first, then play the violin well.” Her words have continued to influence me, reminding me to remain humble and to approach music with sincerity throughout my musical journey.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
My father has influenced me to pursue the path of music. In fact, this was also his own dream, but due to the financial situation at the time, he was unable to fulfill it. He has always encouraged me and accompanied me as I move forward on this path.
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
I heard about it from my colleagues at TŌN, as it allows one to focus on orchestral training and lays a solid foundation for a future career in orchestras.
How would you like to see orchestra concerts evolve in the future?
I hope to connect different fields, cultures, and social classes, making classical music more accessible to everyone.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
It was definitely a marathon concert of the complete Beethoven piano concertos, organized by a conductor at our school to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. The performance lasted almost three hours. After we finished, we were deeply moved and couldn’t let go of the experience, feeling both touched by Beethoven’s music and proud of what we had accomplished. I believe this embodies the spirit of Beethoven
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
Serval students I mentored later were admitted to music conservatories.
Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
Of course it is the violinist David Oistrakh. Not only was his technique superb, but his tone was especially beautiful, warm, and expressive. Every time I listen to his recordings, it feels so intimate and full of humanity, as if he were standing right in front of me playing the violin.
Tell us about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
In fact, I don’t recall ever having given up.
Can you share any memorable onstage mishaps?
Once, during a performance at a large theater, I was using an iPad to read the sheet music. There was an app that allowed page turns with a blink, but I had forgotten to activate this feature before going on stage. As a result, blinking a few times didn’t turn the page, though fortunately I managed to turn it manually. This experience made me give up the idea of using an iPad on stage in the future.
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
Queen, Billy Joel, Ennio Morricone
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Maybe a chef or an art appraiser
What is a surprising part of playing your instrument that you think most people don’t know?
The violin has such a vast repertoire, with so many pieces to play.
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
Everyone has their own unique tone and ideas, yet in an orchestra we need to achieve unity—not a mechanical uniformity, but a richness of timbre within a larger framework.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Use your mind more and think things through, rather than just doing them instinctively.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
In fact, even now I feel that there are many things I still don’t understand, so I need to keep learning.