Biography

My first musical experience was at the piano, starting Yamaha group lessons at six. A year later, my father, a keen amateur who played many traditional Chinese instruments, introduced me to the cello. He hoped I would pick something that could thrive in both Western and Chinese orchestras. I, however, hated it. Pressing down on the thick strings was painful, and having to sit down every lesson felt unbearably dull. My parents tried everything to keep me going, mostly so they could show off their son’s “talents” at family gatherings. Jokes aside, I somehow stuck with it.

By the time I was fifteen and had to choose subjects for my public exams, music was the one constant in my life. I had no idea what I wanted to do at that time. I had other passions as well, but music felt like the natural choice. My mother encouraged me to take it seriously, and around this time, I began to develop a genuine love for classical music. Much of that came from YouTube, where I spent countless hours exploring everything from solo works to symphonies, from Baroque to contemporary.

That curiosity carried me into university, where I managed to party for four years straight while keeping music in the picture. University life introduced me to people from a wide range of backgrounds and broadened my perspective on not just music, but also the world. It made me realise how fortunate I am to be doing something I love as a living.

In 2021, I made the decision to move to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where I had the chance to work with some of the world’s finest musicians. It was a complete culture shock for me. The approach to music-making was so different from Hong Kong, and here people showed appreciation and support for the arts. It was both refreshing and inspiring. During this time, I performed with my trio at festivals throughout the UK and Europe, such as Petworth, Topsham, and Ferrandou Musique, and toured the UK with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra—experiences that deepened my love for both chamber music and orchestral playing.

Today, I am grateful that music is my way of living. Whether teaching, playing with others, or performing, I see it as a chance to share my knowledge and learn from others. I sometimes think back to that child who once dreaded every cello lesson, and I am glad he did not quit. The instrument I once despised has become the thing that gives me joy, and I cannot imagine a better way of life.