2001年，我从新山宽柔中学高三理(3)毕业，而后到美国深造，主修钢琴教学法。
回想初到美国念书时，挑战可不少。在美国上课，语言是最大的挑战。虽然在宽中时就勤修英文，但一旦实际身处美国的环境当中，就会发现这里的语音和惯用语，加上这里人交流文化方式和亚洲人不同，沟通起来，着实吃力。
因为很多时候听不懂教授在说什么，所以一开始是以捉单字的方式快速笔记教授所讲的每个字。回家后慢慢读笔记，一句一句话这样去理解。大概一个学期后，语言理解能力方才所有进步。
因此，若有学弟妹想到美国深造，鼓励大家应尽量和当地人不断交流，融入他们的生活，这是掌握好语言最快的途径。注意听他们的发音，平时什么场合用哪些惯用语，然后自己在家勤加练习，久而久之，语言就再也不是问题了。
大学毕业后，我开始从事音乐教育的工作，曾经在新加坡担任中学音乐老师与艺术总监，6年后搬到美国西雅图，继续尽心培养在音乐与钢琴方面的音乐人才。
因为疫情，2020年开始，我转入线上钢琴教学，目前全职担任线上钢琴指导，学生来自全美各个角落，这是一个全然不同的教学体验。同时也在不久前开启了一个YouTube频道 “Calm Frequencies.宫音阁” （ https://bit.ly/3u1ihzd ) ，从事以电视剧音乐改编成钢琴背景音乐的制作。
对我来说，身为一个钢琴导师，不只是单单教学生掌握乐器的弹奏。对于年纪小的学生，我的导向永远都是通过学习钢琴，从而锻炼他们从屡试屡败到修成正果所熬出来的谦卑，锻炼对细微末节的洞察力和培养自身的艺术敏感度；而成人学生，大多是从小想学钢琴却没机会，所以我觉得自己的角色是帮他们圆梦吧！
累积了那么多年的音乐教育经历，我深深体会，演奏时对自身的能量负责，才能造福大众。很多人对这方面可能还不太熟悉，就是演奏者处在什么能量场，其能量就会随他的音乐传递到听者心里，使听者产生共振。如果演奏者情绪浮躁或低落，这能量也会直接传递给听众，从而产生涟漪效应。因此，身为音乐工作者，要通过音乐造福人群，就要对自身加以熏修，以便把正能量传递他人。
尊敬师长、爱护朋友，有能力行善的时候就尽量去做，是在宽中六年的岁月里所收获的重要无形财富，这些价值观念，至今深植在我心中。学习感恩身边每一个人，因为每个人都在成就着彼此。饮水思源，这个我一直铭记在心。
After graduating from Foon Yew High School S3S3 in 2001, I proceeded to further my study in the US, majoring in Piano Pedagogy.
The journey wasn’t easy. In the beginning, language barrier was the biggest challenge, both speaking and understanding. Although I diligently studied English while in high school, being in a brand-new environment, there were other linguistic elements such as the American accent, local slangs as well as how ideas were expressed differently due to cultural differences that added to the challenge.
In the beginning, there were many times when I couldn’t understand the lectures. Although the lectures didn’t make sense to me, at least I was able to grasp the words being said by the professors. So during each lecture, I’d write down as many words as I could capture from the professor and went home to study my notes. After about a semester, things became easier.
During university time, I made really great local friendships that still last to this day. That really helped with overcoming language barriers. So my advice to juniors who wish to further their studies in a foreign country is, as much as you can, do not be afraid to mingle with the locals. By doing so, you will quickly master the language. Pay attention to the context where the slangs are used, how certain words are pronounced, and practice at home. Always practice, even if that means talking to yourself. Sooner or later, the language will no longer be a barrier to you anymore.
After graduating from the university, I continued to pursue the passion for music through the field of Music Education. I taught in Singapore as a secondary school music teacher, later on heading the Aesthetic Department, overseeing the school’s Performing Arts spectrum. After 6 years in Singapore, I moved to Seattle, continuing with the mission of training young musicians and adult learners who want to fulfill their dreams of playing the piano.
Due to the pandemic in 2020, I started teaching piano online. Currently running a full-time virtual piano studio, teaching students from different parts of the United States, as well as running a YouTube channel called “Calm Frequencies. 宫音阁” https://bit.ly/3u1ihzd, re-arranging Chinese Drama music into peaceful piano music.
Teaching piano is more than just teaching my students how to play a musical instrument. With younger kids, my aim is always, through learning piano, to develop the attitude of perseverance, attention to details, and the innate sensitivity towards artistic expressions. For adult students, I see my role as someone who fulfills my students’ childhood dream of wanting to learn how to play the piano and create beauty in music.
The biggest epiphany I learnt through years of playing music is, to be responsible for our energy when we play, in the effort to only bring goodness to those who listen. Most of us aren’t aware, but whatever state of mind the musician is in, the energy subtly but directly transfers through music to others who listen. It’s not hard to understand that a depressing or agitated musician will transfer the depressing/ agitated mood to his/her listeners, causing a ripple effect. And vice versa. As a musician, I see it as my responsibility to purify and align my energy towards love and goodness so that we can spread the same energy to others.
Looking back at the years in FYHS and some of the lessons I’ve learnt during the 6 years in high school, I think the really important ones are to respect others, especially our teachers and peers. Exercise the acts of kindness, pay it forward whenever you get a chance. Be thankful to people who had in one way or another contributed to us making the marks in our lives. Be thoughtful of where the water comes from when you drink it. I will always remember and live by it.
