The influence my mother has had on me is the primary reason I am striving for more advanced, modern piano training. My mother is an elementary school music teacher and a piano teacher. Through her efforts she gave me an auditory gift and helped develop my music faculty. In my childhood I learned to play both the piano and the violin, but I prefer the piano. The piano is my favorite instrument.
My piano training was not always smooth. Though I often encountered extreme difficulties and felt depressed, I never gave up and constantly endeavored to push forward. I told myself that learning to deal constructively with frustration is the best present God could give me.
Upon entering National/> Chiayi/> University/>/> my piano professor used The Alexander Technique to help me improve all areas of my playing including physical relaxation, sitting posture, and hand position. I profited greatly from this and regard these improvements as a learning process miracle. As a result I can now concentrate more on musical interpretation when performing.
In August 2002 I graduated from university and held a piano recital at the Taichung/> County/> Center/>/>. Although a challenge, I was very happy to put to use all I had learned the previous four years. For the first time I was not afraid of the audience and could wholly concentrate on the music and the joy of performing. Overcoming this challenge confirmed my thinking that as long as I do not fear failure and difficulty I can realize my goals.
After graduating from the university, I taught music at an elementary school for one year. I continued though to be interested in performance and was eager to acquire more knowledge and skills in performance and pedagogy. My university piano professor, a Doctor of Arts alumnus of The University/> of Northern Colorado/>/>, recommended I attend UNC.
I am sure the music program at UNC is my best choice for advanced study. After finishing the master degree program I plan to study for a doctor degree in piano performance and pedagogy. I hope that by enriching myself in this specialized field I can return to Taiwan/>/> with the skills needed to contribute to the growth of piano and art education. In addition, I hope to popularize the respect of music, and its connection to life. I am looking forward to studying and achieving my goal.
