Today we’d like to introduce you to Shu Wen Tay.
Hi Shu Wen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started getting into piano playing at my own request – when I was in preschool, I heard another classmate play the piano fluently, and I thought it was quite beautiful. That was how I started to know about this instrument.
As time passed by, it became the thing I looked forward to, at the end of busy school days, and pretty soon, I felt that I couldn’t give it up to pursue a corporate job, so I chose to pursue it as a career. I’ve kept at that for the past almost 10 years, and I hope that I still continue loving it very much.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, there were many struggles along the way, and there still are.
The first struggle was more because I chose a path that was a little radical through the lens of Asian society, and the pragmatism built-in to the community had a psychological stronghold on me – I would doubt my path and sometimes, I still do – wondering if I made the right choice, if I should have chosen something else, if I could make it work etc. This all comes from a place of personal insecurity and self-esteem, which is a personal thing I’m working on, but which was exacerbated due to the societal preferences I was encountering.
There were other smaller struggles along the way, but the other challenge or concern right now is something a little bit more specific to the field – how can I face myself everyday in the practice room, how can I continue to want to improve, and how can I constantly evolve and grow, even though I’ve been doing (arguably) the same thing every day for many years, and more to come? It is something I’m thinking about a lot lately – there is no ceiling when it comes to playing well, or being good at a craft. Since there is no limit, then I want to constantly be even clearer with my intentions in my interpretation, and by extension, improve in every aspect of making music – whether it be in teaching music, collaborating with others, or performing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a classical pianist, and chamber musician. This means that I perform alone onstage, or with other people in a duo or ensemble. Aside from that, I also give private piano lessons, both in the university that I currently pursue my Doctoral studies at, as well as for individual students.
It’s hard for me to come up with something I’m most proud of, especially since I am surrounded by such wonderful musician friends, all of whom have qualities that are so special and amazing. That being said, for me, I try very hard to give my all into everything I choose to do, especially so in my career. Giving it all includes a kind of work ethic expectation I set for myself, but also working to the point that I can feel free and freely emote in my craft. And of course, hopefully find out what else to keep going after for refinement.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I actually play a second instrument!
Although it has been many years since I touched that instrument, and only a few years where I did diligently practice it, I can play the Chinese instrument, the erhu.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shuwentay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shuwennn/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shuwentay
