Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Kun Shao
F E A T U R E
Interview with Kun Shao
How old were you when you started to learn violin?
I started to learn violin when I was about to turn 4-year old in Beijing, China. It was my kindergarten’s after school program, and I was chosen to study violin because of my big palm and long fingers. The interesting thing was, not long after I started violin, the digital piano class teacher also wanted me to join his class for the same reason. Unfortunately, my dad thought digital piano was not a “real” instrument, so he decided to let me stay in the violin class.
Did you play any other instruments?
I started to learn the real piano when I was six years old. At that time time, I had some difficulties to play violin in tune. Because piano is a perfect pitch instrument, so my family decided to let me also study piano at the same time, and hopefully it will help my intonation on violin. In fact, that was such a wise and smart decision.
How often did you practice when you were a kid?
I practiced at least 2 hours per day when I was a kid. And after I learned piano, I had to add at least an hour on piano in addition to violin. To be honest, I was not such a good kid who would like to practice that much. Without my parents, this wouldn’t have happened at all.
Who were some of your most inspired teachers?
I have met many good teachers in my life. But based on my previous answers you may notice, why do I keep mentioning my parents and my family? There is a Chinese saying: “Parents are the first and the best teacher of a child.” I have to say, without my dad’s hard pushing and my mom’s accompanying when I practiced, I wouldn’t be a Doctor in music performance. They are always there to help me make any important decisions, and comfort me when I facing difficulties.
What was your most memorable musical performance?
The recent one was the last concert of Symphony New Hampshire from last season. We performed Beethoven Symphony No.9. I will never forget when I played until the last movement, and when the choir started to sing “Ode to Joy”, all my blood has been boiled. I couldn’t describe how excited and touched I was at that moment. I think this is the magic of a giant masterpiece performed in a live concert.
What do you want to tell your students and their parents?
To my students, I hope you could listen to the music as much as you can. Not only the songs we are working on, but also the music inspired you or touched you. Without enough input, it is impossible to have good output. The more you listen, the more feeling will naturally come out of your heart when you are playing. To my students’ parents, I want to say, don’t expect to only rely on the teacher to make your children become perfect. I truly understand how big role the parents play in each child’s life, according to my own experience. So please try to spend more time with your children when they are growing up.
What is your advice to parents to help their kids?
Try to study with your children at the same time, so you could help them when they are facing obstacles. (And you also learn something new, which you never touched before ☺) Try to encourage them but not let them quit easily. You should understand that the beginning of everything is the most difficult part. So once you started, try to keep moving forward no matter what. At the same time, having good communication with the teacher and get to know your children’s progress. I believe all of you will have a good harvest eventually.
Learn more about Kun on their Teacher Page.
I started to learn violin when I was about to turn 4-year old in Beijing, China. It was my kindergarten’s after school program, and I was chosen to study violin because of my big palm and long fingers. The interesting thing was, not long after I started violin, the digital piano class teacher also wanted me to join his class for the same reason. Unfortunately, my dad thought digital piano was not a “real” instrument, so he decided to let me stay in the violin class.
Did you play any other instruments?
I started to learn the real piano when I was six years old. At that time time, I had some difficulties to play violin in tune. Because piano is a perfect pitch instrument, so my family decided to let me also study piano at the same time, and hopefully it will help my intonation on violin. In fact, that was such a wise and smart decision.
How often did you practice when you were a kid?
I practiced at least 2 hours per day when I was a kid. And after I learned piano, I had to add at least an hour on piano in addition to violin. To be honest, I was not such a good kid who would like to practice that much. Without my parents, this wouldn’t have happened at all.
Who were some of your most inspired teachers?
I have met many good teachers in my life. But based on my previous answers you may notice, why do I keep mentioning my parents and my family? There is a Chinese saying: “Parents are the first and the best teacher of a child.” I have to say, without my dad’s hard pushing and my mom’s accompanying when I practiced, I wouldn’t be a Doctor in music performance. They are always there to help me make any important decisions, and comfort me when I facing difficulties.
What was your most memorable musical performance?
The recent one was the last concert of Symphony New Hampshire from last season. We performed Beethoven Symphony No.9. I will never forget when I played until the last movement, and when the choir started to sing “Ode to Joy”, all my blood has been boiled. I couldn’t describe how excited and touched I was at that moment. I think this is the magic of a giant masterpiece performed in a live concert.
What do you want to tell your students and their parents?
To my students, I hope you could listen to the music as much as you can. Not only the songs we are working on, but also the music inspired you or touched you. Without enough input, it is impossible to have good output. The more you listen, the more feeling will naturally come out of your heart when you are playing. To my students’ parents, I want to say, don’t expect to only rely on the teacher to make your children become perfect. I truly understand how big role the parents play in each child’s life, according to my own experience. So please try to spend more time with your children when they are growing up.
What is your advice to parents to help their kids?
Try to study with your children at the same time, so you could help them when they are facing obstacles. (And you also learn something new, which you never touched before ☺) Try to encourage them but not let them quit easily. You should understand that the beginning of everything is the most difficult part. So once you started, try to keep moving forward no matter what. At the same time, having good communication with the teacher and get to know your children’s progress. I believe all of you will have a good harvest eventually.
Learn more about Kun on their Teacher Page.