Iris Chang

     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.