REFLECTIONS OF ONE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS! 

(Interview Shin Yin Lee)

Outsiders may wonder why I kept interviewing only medical doctors/medical students, they don’t know all because majority of my ex-piano students are either in medical school now or they are doctors now. Now I only realize that if I “brain-washed” those teenagers to become a future doctor, if with their parents full support, sure they would turn into a doctor. I didn’t encourage many of my ex-students to turn into professional pianists all because I thought if a student didn’t have recorder kind of musical memory, and with Malaysian kind of educational system they exposed to,  then they would be better off ended up in other much more respected professions.  As a piano teacher, besides giving my students their future career advice, it was also my duty to teach them the most sounded piano techniques which could help to develop their brain and reflection in their dexterities.

Something About Shin Yin:

Shin Yin has a very calm and steady nature, that’s why I am quite sure he can turn into a very good doctor or specialist. He has a much more extrovert younger brother but they teamed up so well together and made their parents as well as their ex-piano teacher (me) feels very proud of their achievements too.

Profile:

Academic Experience: First degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Economics.  Continued with an MD in medicine. 

Work: Doctor at a teaching hospital in the US.  Training to eventually become a cancer specialist. 

First piano lesson: Age 9 in Miri's Yamaha Music School

Year 1992 to 1994: In China.  A student at a local conservatory gave classes at home.

Year 1994 to 2001: Studied with Siwen Wong, Siwen Piano Studio (should be around 13), passed ABRSM Grade 8 at age 15(?) and a public recital. 

Question: After staying 7 years in Malaysia, you left Malaysia with your parents to USA.  Can you share with us your experience when you first studied piano with the new Russian teacher in New Orleans?

Answer: It was a very smooth transition.  From what I recall, I don’t think she had many qualms about my technique. 

Question: May I know what is her name?

Answer: Alexandra Shikhris.  http://ewillia.blogspot.com/2006/11/la-biografia-de-alexandra-shikhris_13.html

Question: Did you join other musical activities in New Orleans other than learning piano?

Answer: I volunteered at the New Orleans International Piano Competition, took part in some of the master classes there, and performed at the opening ceremony.  I also took a stab at helping to teach my piano teacher’s students.  One of them won a city-level competition for her age group. 

Question: Do you think your piano playing can occasionally help your career?

Answer: Yes.  Medicine is a stressful career.  Music is a great stress relief, and brings you together with your colleagues.  Interestingly, during my job interviews, many interviewers were interested in my past piano playing experience.  I think that it humanizes people. 

Question: What were some latest music activities that you have involved?

Answer: A residency talent show, and an ‘arts and medicine’ event at the hospital. 



Question: Do you mind “reflecting” your past piano learning experience from me? (e.g. some interesting things happened in SPS, some jokes I said, if any mean/ or encouraging thing I said etc.)

Answer: I appreciate that you pick challenging pieces which I initially thought impossible, but once completed, left me with a sense of achievement.  I think you push your students to their potential.  I think that you also know your students’ personalities well, and attempt to pick pieces that suit them.  I remember you as being very dedicated.  You gave extra classes out of your own time.  I remember at one point going to your studio to practice many times a week, sometimes late into the night. 

Question: Whenever you learned from a new piano teacher, you would learn some new tricks, so what do you think ... what were those "unforgettable" you learned from me in this case?

Answer:The importance of independent fingers. 

Note: HAHA……. I think Shin Yin is getting much more humorous too!