Lydia Mong-Yi Wu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lydia Mong-Yi, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
One new thing that I tried over the last couple of months was learning to play the pipe organ. My main instrument is the piano. Playing the pipe organ requires a LOT more coordination than I currently am able. Both feet have to play 32 pedals, arranged like piano keys. So in effect, its as if organists play with 4 hands! It’s mind-blowing. And the sound created in the midst of all the pipes is absolutely magnificent!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a freelance musician, I do a bit of everything. As a music educator, I teach music theory and coach vocal students at the Los Angeles County High School for the arts. As classically trained pianist and performing artist, I collaborate with different instrumentalists in chamber and solo performances.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
When I made the choice to go into music, I did not know that my life would be what it is currently. Growing up, my music teachers, did not tell me about the music world from their views and experiences. And even if they did, it would only be a sliver of what it actually is. I was not fortunate enough to have a mentor. So those that really taught me about work are those that I came in contact with along the way in my career. Students taught me the joys of teaching. They showed me how and what they wanted to learn. Collaborators and musicians taught me about the world of sound and how to play my instrument. They opened my ears to different sounds and phrasing so that I may do the same on the piano.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many times! It’s a tough road and my work is so piecemeal. It’s not a 9-5 job, where I can expect and collect a paycheck biweekly or monthly. A few times in my life, I had to worry about being able to make a living and survive rather than practicing for the next performance. It’s especially hard when musicians leave the academic environment. Connections and opportunities diminish quite quickly. In school, these connections and opportunities are there mostly because of proximity. Someone like me, who has moved across the country has long lost many of the connections I had in school. There were times where I took other jobs, unrelated to the music field, to see if many I would “make it” elsewhere. Somehow, I always came back to music and the piano.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real public version of me. I know that sounds like a facetious answer, but it really is not meant to be. The version of me that I present to the public is a real version of me but one that is for the public. We all have many sides and they change depending on who we meet and interact. It doesn’t make me any less “real.” However, the depth of that realness is probably going to be different between family, friends, colleagues, students, and acquaintances.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I think I will regret not having a kid of my own. As a woman, I think I’d want to experience carrying a child to term and giving birth to new life. Then caring for it until adulthood. However, many people who have and haven’t had children have given me reasons otherwise. And I understand and agree with their reasoning – such as childbirth is dangerous, parents will always worry until death about their kids, etc. I think of it as more of a natural, biological calling. I am in this body that can give life to another, yet I will not get a chance to do so. This regret isn’t a complicated one though, so it won’t haunt me to my death. It is just a hard fact that past a certain time in my life, I won’t be able to do so.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://lydiawu.net
- Instagram: @lydiawupiano
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mong-yi-wu-ab133a5/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydiawupiano/
- Youtube: @lydiawu4821
Image Credits
Photos by Carlos Gardel, Sarah Wallin-Huff, Randy Melcombe, Niahara Quintero, Piano Texas, and Lydia Wu.
