Name:
Talent:
Li-Ling began playing the violin at age five. "My mother, very diplomatically asked me if I wanted to learn to play the violin. I said, ‘Sure sounds like fun!’"
Li-Ling also plays the piano and the viola.
Inspiration:
"My mentor is from the east coast, Boston. He was my music teacher there, his name is Eric Rosenblith and he had a huge impact on my life. Seeing his devotion to music and his devotion to teaching has forever changed me."
Li-Ling still visits Boston every summer to play in a Chamber Music Festival which Rosenblith puts together.
Another inspiration in Li-Ling’s life is her mother: "She is a musician and as a child I wanted to be just like her."
Cultural Background:
Li-Ling was born in Taiwan and stayed there until she was 16. She then moved to Switzerland for two years where she finished high school before moving to Boston where she stayed for eight years completing university.
She then moved to Maryland for three years before arriving in Vancouver just two years ago.
"Being in Europe had a huge impact on my life as a musician. It was an amazing experience. In Europe there is a tradition of how music should be. Although each city I have travelled to has given me a different perspective of the art."
Greatest Accomplishment:
"When I was young I struggled a lot with academics. Graduating high school and getting a lot of degrees in University was a huge accomplishment for me."What is on Li-Ling’s iPod:
"Music is my work, so I have a lot of work-related songs on my iPod. I also have a lot of jazz, even some pop music. I like to listen to different genres so that it does not feel like I am working."Future Plans:
"I would love to continue teaching others about music. It is very rewarding. However I need to keep preforming as well. I would like to continue with a balancing act of both."Advice:
"Choosing a career in music is a very long journey. It is not the same as becoming an accountant. It is a constant study. It is not an easy road, it is a bumpy road, you just have to stick with it. Be persistent and don’t give up."Sunday, June 8, 8 p.m. at Mt. Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate Ave., North Vancouver.
