What is the best thing that I love about my work?
the infinite potential for continued progress in creativity, beauty, and positive contribution to our world.
What is my idea of perfect happiness?
immersed in the Mediterranean sea, heart full of ideas and head filled with dreams, balance in movement.
What is my greatest fear?
lack of understanding, lack of dialogue, sudden and inexplicable disassociation between self and persons I care about.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I can be quite relentless at times.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
Jazz guitarist John McLaughlin, cellist Roel Dieltiens, and the conductor Daniel Harding. Their artistry, humanity, and friendship continues to inspire and encourage my own endeavors.
What is my greatest extravagance?
my hunger for continuous adventures.
On what occasion would I lie?
creating plausible excuses to get out of social events so I can stay home alone.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The carbon foot print generated by our travels. (We work with PUR Projet to offset these by planting trees in the Amazon forests)
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
There were many remarkable moments! Playing Star Wars and James Bond themes for a group of wild Zebras while they were drinking from a watering hole in Amboseli National Park, Kenya; walking up towards the summit of sand dunes in the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang, China; witnessing the joy our music offers to the elderly and disabled patients during our monthly concerts in the Rainier III Gerontology Center of the Princess Grace Hospital, Monaco,
If I could, what would I change about myself?
Having the maturity and wisdom to let go of people, to accept more willingly the natural ending and evolution of human interactions.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Creating and building ZHANGOMUSIQ, where musical concerts generates concrete and immediate positive impact for the benefit for those in need.
Where would I most like to live?
Where I am living now, 50 meters from the Mediterranean,
What is my most treasured possession?
Sense of humor and resilience.
In terms of objects, I have very little. My violin is very precious to me, though it is more of a life partner than possession, it is more than 130 years old, its career will continue long after I am gone.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Curiosity and audacity.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
In the sea.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Tea in the Metropole Hotel lobby, anytime of the day.
What books influenced my life and how?
Journey to the West, this Chinese classic from the Ming Dynasty accompanied me through out my nomadic childhood, its fantastic tales helped anchor me to my Chinese culture heritage, the beauty, the sense of humor, playfulness, and gorgeous historical details were a great source of comfort and companionship during a very lonely childhood far away from home. Narcissus und Goldmund by Hermann Hesse when I was 19 years old, in Goldmund I had found real kinship, his journey inspired and encouraged my own.
These days I always travel with Invisible Cities of Italo Calvino, my own path is a continuation of this book.
Who are my favorite writers?
Italo Calvino, Hermann Hesse, Alvaro Mutis, Paul Bowles, Nazim Hikmet, Roberto Juarroz, the Poets of Tang Dynasty.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
“Morgen” of Richard Strauss,
the theme of The Force from Star Wars,
“Nuage” of Django Reinhardt
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, from the Chinese classic Journey to the West; Goldmund from Narcissus und Goldmund by Hermann Hesse.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Resilient and creative people, explorers, poets, people who do not run from dragons.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
The original Star Wars triology
What role plays art in my life and work?
It is the spark that encourages, as well as the companion that consoles.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
greatest sponsor: The Prince’s Government of the Principality of Monaco.
greatest fan: Mom
partner in crime: the ZHANGOMUSIQ team!
Whom would I like to work with in 2019/2020?
NGO’s dedicated to concrete humanitarian and environmental projects around the world; leaders of industry and political movements who are transforming towards more ecological and more benevolent business model benefiting all living beings.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2019/2020?
There are many wonderful artists I hope to meet, but I am now more focused on meeting people from other domains: scientists, explorers, ecologists, industry leaders, creating solutions for the betterment of our planet and the living, all together.
What project, in 2019/2020, am I looking forward to work on?
Finishing the book I have been writing; creating a new conference concert series with Neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene uniting Science and Art; the launching of a ZHANGOMUSIQ documentary series; learn how to use the oven so I can make scones.
Where can you see me or my work in 2019/2020?
Monaco, Paris, Kenya, various stops on the Ancient Silk Roads.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
everyday there may be a new adventure to say yes to
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Sophie Swaton Philosopher, Ecologist, Professor, sophie.swaton@fondationzoein.org
Laurence Genevet Journalist, Entrepreneur, Editrice
laurence.genevet@gmail.com
Leonardo Zhang Cellist, Composer, International Mahjong Player leozhang118@gmail.com
Claude Philoche, Mathematician, Industry Leader, Ecologist,
claude.philoche@icloud.com
How can you contact me?
zhangomusiq@gmail.com
zhang@zhangzhang.com
website:www.zhangomusiq.org
Links:
zhangomusiq
TEDx Cannes
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
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You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
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You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
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You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
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You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 