Lee-Chin Siow: Singapore native lives out dream as violin performer and educator
Photo by Daniel Schloss
Lee-Chin Siow performs a New Year’s Concert with the Oberlin Orchestra in Beijing.
Q: You're just back from a seven-concert tour across China and Southeast Asia. What was the highlight of your trip?
A: I was the soloist with the Oberlin Orchestra on its Asia Tour. Every city and concert was different, but performing in Beijing on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day was definitely memorable. Both concerts were sold out! Vienna-style New Year's concerts are very popular in China, where there are an estimated 50 million classical music fans. To be part of New Year's festivities in the heart of the Chinese capital, and to be invited on tour by the Oberlin Conservatory (my alma mater, conferred the 2009 National Medal of Arts by President Obama) was a double honor for me.
Q: You're originally from Singapore. What brought you to the United States?
A: When I was 14, I had the chance to play for Aaron Rosand from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, one of top music conservatories in the world, who was visiting Singapore. On the spot, he looked straight at me and asked, "Would you like to come to Curtis to study?" I was totally shocked! Curtis has produced generations of American greats like Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber. It was a fairy tale come true for me, and I'm really grateful for the opportunities I've had, to establish a career I love, teaching and performing here in the U.S. I've lived in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Oberlin. ... I fell in love with Charleston when I came, and this is my 10th year here. I love it and want to give back for all the blessings I've had.
Q: Your father introduced you to the violin, and your debut CD is called "Songs My Father Taught Me." What else did he teach you?
A: To go after things I feel passionate about, and to live my dreams. One of his favorite sayings is, "Do not worry about the harvest. Keep sowing and the rest will take care of itself." Growing up during the Japanese occupation in World War II, classical music was probably the last thing on most people's minds, but my dad taught himself to play the violin! When I was offered a place to study at Curtis, he supported me wholeheartedly. At that time, it was rare for a girl of 15 to leave home and travel alone, halfway across the world. Chinese parents tend to be conservative, and music was not a popular choice. Success is dicey. My dad taught me to believe in myself, and I try to pass that on to my own students.
Q: As an associate professor at the College of Charleston, what is the most difficult thing to teach violin students?
A: Playing an instrument and going on stage looks glamorous, but many people don't realize that there is so much involved in making beautiful music. Discipline is so critical. One concert is equivalent to at least 100 hours in the practice room. A lot of students do not listen to themselves enough when they're practicing. I always tell my students that they should be most critical when they're practicing. They need to listen to themselves really well to observe what they're doing, figure out what the problems are and learn from it. When you go on stage, that's the time to let go, be spontaneous, be one with the music, communicate with the audience and have fun!
Q: What do you think music can teach us?
A: Many students may decide not to pursue a career in music, but music can teach important lessons beyond just playing the instrument. I remind students about my 3P's: passion, patience and perseverance. Practicing for hours is not most people's idea of fun, but passion will keep you going; patience is needed to work hard and wait for results; and perseverance is what gets you out of setbacks -- the next step may be the one that leads to success. These are important principles that apply to every aspect of life.
Q: Are budget cuts affecting you or the music programs you're involved in?
A: I am most concerned about the proposed budget cuts, which will affect many music programs in elementary and high schools. While I am not directly affected by these cuts, they affect hundreds of kids and families across the state. I just performed as soloist with the Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry, and the orchestra programs will suffer if the current budget is passed. YOLOW is rallying the community to "Save Our Strings."
Q: What is "Save Our Strings"?
It is a cause I support because playing in a youth orchestra is so critical to a balanced education. Performing builds a young person's confidence, playing together teaches discipline and teamwork. Invaluable lessons are learned, and this has a lasting effect. I know this because I had the opportunity to play in a youth orchestra when I was a kid. Fee-based programs are an option, but there will be many families who cannot afford the fees, and often these are the kids who need the power of music the most. I truly hope that more individuals and organizations will come out to support "Save Our Strings." Having music programs for kids in elementary and high schools affects their future in more ways than we think.
Q: Who is your favorite composer?
A: I am partial to music from the Romantic era. But to me, there's only two kinds of music --good and bad! Seriously, I like all music that moves me from Bach to The Beatles.
