Today we’d like to introduce you to Chihsuan Yang.
Hi Chihsuan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Taiwan until the age of fifteen. Leaving the familiarity of my home at such an impressionable age taught me most of my lasting life lessons. The first few years of being in a foreign world were a true test of character, strength, and endurance.
I had been trained as a classical violinist and pianist since the age of six, and along the way, I also picked up the Erhu: a Chinese, two-stringed instrument. After 20 years of studying classical music, I found that I needed more creative freedom than the genre could offer. I started to expand my horizon beyond the classical repertoire and set out to broaden my body of work into other musical genres. It was not always easy and smooth but I have learned a ton from countless amazing artists along the way. Each one of them has left their unique fingerprints on my life and career. Those experiences have shaped who I am and what I do forever. My interest in all types of music revealed opportunities far beyond my imagination: from playing chamber music with a legend to performing for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
I pride myself on being an artist fluent in a multitude of styles and genres and being eclectic in my musical passions and personal interests. Music has literally taken me around the globe, connected me with the most incredible human beings and allowed me to collaborate with many talented and gifted individuals. In my travels, I carry with me a constant reminder of how life cannot be taken for granted. I hope to continue my travels with music in my heart, collecting each fulfilling experience and sharing my unconditional love for music with those whose paths may cross my own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some would say that becoming a successful artist is one of the most difficult career paths to go down. Not in the same way becoming a doctor is, but rather you are forced to go against the societal grain and with no 401K plan in sight. There are no work “benefits” to being a freelance musician, no guarantees that the thousands and thousands of hours put into refining your craft will ever pay off. Being a musician by trade is a giant leap of faith, a commitment to a life of uncertain financial security, and a huge risk.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a classically trained musician specializes in violin, piano and erhu. I am also a composer and songwriter. I pride myself on being an artist fluent in a multitude of styles and genres. Eclectic in my musical passions and personal interests while maintaining a high standard of professionalism. When I am creating music, I am also creating a space. I compose music using a variety of resources to convey, to express and to communicate emotional content. I utilize musical instruments, electronics as well as improvisation in my live performances.
From performing/touring with Yo-Yo Ma and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys to Grammy Award winner David Foster and performing for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. My body of work spans across a multitude of genres and reaches beyond borders. It reaches beyond live music and can also be heard on films, commercials, movie trailers, dance companies and theater productions. I put out my first solo studio album in 2014 and in 2020, I received my first grammy nomination for the collaboration with The String Theory and spoken word artist Sekou Andrews.
Part of my personal mission as an artist is being a bridge between cultural diversities. To me, that is the very essence of being a musician. I am motivated not just by a personal drive but by a belief that there is something more to this amazing art form than what I was being taught in school. Music unites and uplifts, and has enriched my life in miraculous ways, and I’d like to continue to show my appreciation by sharing my love and knowledge of music in any way possible.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
As artists, we are the gatekeepers of the culture, and it’s our responsibility to not only come together when there’s stage light shining upon our faces and the applauses but also hold each other up during isolation. Reclaiming independence and rebuilding a sense of self in personal, spiritual and career life. I realize that there is great meaning in suffering. The sense of uncertainty and doubt can be a motive for reaching out and it can also be the basis for looking deep into yourself and finding what’s new and original in your experience that can be expressed through art.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chihsuan.com
- Instagram: @chihsuanyang
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/chihsuan
Image Credits
All photos by Todd Rosenberg
