What is the best thing that I love about my work?
People often ask me whether I enjoy performing or teaching more, but I have never been able to separate the two. Performing allows me to tell stories without words, while teaching allows me to help others discover their own voices. The greatest joy in my work is witnessing transformation. I love seeing a student who once believed they were “not musical” perform with confidence, or watching an audience connect emotionally with a piece of music. Those moments remind me that music is not only about technical excellence—it is about communication, empathy, and belonging. Whether I am standing on a concert stage or sitting beside a child holding a violin for the first time, I know I am doing work that truly matters.
What is my idea of happiness?
To me, happiness means living a life with purpose. It is waking up knowing that I can create, perform, teach, and continue learning every day. Some of my happiest moments are surprisingly simple: rehearsing with other musicians, hearing children laugh during a music lesson, walking through Sheffield Botanical Gardens after a busy week, or sharing coffee with friends after a concert. I also find happiness in discovering different cultures, because every place I have lived has shaped the musician and person I have become. Happiness is not about reaching a final destination; it is about knowing that the journey itself is meaningful.
What is my greatest fear?
My greatest fear is not failure—it is regret. I never want to look back and wonder what might have happened if I had been brave enough to say yes to an opportunity. Choosing to leave Taiwan, study abroad, and eventually build my career in the United Kingdom was never the easiest path, but every challenge has helped me grow.
Music has taught me that beautiful performances require courage as much as preparation. I believe life works the same way. I would rather make mistakes while pursuing my dreams than spend my life wondering, “What if?”
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I sometimes expect too much from myself. As a musician, I have always believed that there is always another level to reach, another piece to improve, another skill to develop. While this has helped me grow professionally, it has also taught me the importance of self-kindness. Over the years, I have realised that perfection is impossible, but progress is always worth celebrating. I am learning to be as encouraging to myself as I am to my students.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
I admire musicians who use their artistry to create opportunities for others. My own university violin professor, Yi-Hsiu Liu, has had one of the greatest influences on my life. She believed in my potential long before I fully believed in myself and encouraged me to pursue opportunities in the Czech Republic and later in the United Kingdom.
Beyond my own teacher, I admire artists who believe that music belongs to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. The musicians I respect most are those who understand that success is measured not only by the stages they perform on, but also by the lives they inspire.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The part of my work I enjoy the least is anything that takes me away from people and creativity. Administration, paperwork, and endless emails are necessary, but they are never the reason I became a musician. My happiest days are spent rehearsing, performing, arranging music, or helping students discover something new. I especially believe that music education should never become just another subject to complete. It should remain a place where people feel safe to be curious, expressive, and confident. Whenever I see that happen, I am reminded why I chose this career.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
There have been many unforgettable moments throughout my career, but one stands out above the rest. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to perform at Sheffield’s Lunar New Year celebration, where I arranged two traditional pieces for an ensemble combining both Western and Chinese instruments: violin, cello, bamboo flute, guzheng, and erhu. Bringing together musicians from different cultural backgrounds to celebrate through music felt incredibly meaningful. Watching the audience respond with warmth and curiosity reminded me that music has the power to unite people without the need for translation. The experience became even more special when I was invited to speak about the performance and my work in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield. That day reminded me why I chose this career—not simply to perform, but to build bridges between cultures and communities through music.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
If I could change one thing about myself, I would worry less about being perfect. Like many musicians, I spent years believing that every mistake mattered. As I have grown older, I have realised that people rarely remember perfection; they remember honesty, passion, and authenticity. Today I try to focus less on achieving flawless performances and more on creating meaningful experiences. I want to continue becoming someone who is brave enough to take risks, even when everything is not completely certain.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Alongside my work as a performer and educator, I founded Aurora Echo Music with the vision of making high-quality music education and performance more accessible across cultures and communities. Creating my own organisation has allowed me to bring together my experience as a violinist, educator, and creative leader, while developing projects that inspire people of all ages through music.
Receiving my Global Talent Visa in 2024, endorsed by Arts Council England, is one of the achievements I am most proud of—not because of the visa itself, but because of what it represents. It recognised years of dedication to building a career that combines performance, music education, and community engagement. My portfolio included performing as a violinist, teaching children and young people, delivering inclusive music education for SEND and PMLD learners, contributing to community music projects, and participating in international musical collaborations such as the Lake District Summer Music Festival. For me, the recognition confirmed something I had always believed: music has value not only on the concert stage, but also in classrooms, hospitals, community spaces, and wherever people need connection. More than any award or title, my greatest achievement is knowing that my work has helped people discover confidence through music.
Where would I most like to live?
Home will always be Taiwan, because it is where my musical journey began. At the same time, the United Kingdom has become another home, giving me opportunities that I never imagined when I first arrived as an international student. I feel inspired by places where history, creativity, and diversity exist side by side. Sheffield has given me a wonderful musical community, while Edinburgh and Cambridge continue to inspire me through their beautiful architecture, cultural life, and atmosphere. Ultimately, I hope my future will allow me to live between different cultures, continuing to build bridges through music wherever I am.
What is my most treasured possession?
My violin is naturally precious to me, but it is not my most treasured possession. What I value most are the experiences that music has given me. Every rehearsal, every concert, every lesson, every journey, and every person I have met through music has shaped who I am today. Those memories cannot be replaced or bought. They remind me that the richest part of any career is not what we own, but the lives we have been fortunate enough to touch along the way.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Curiosity has always been one of my strongest characteristics. It is what encouraged me to leave Taiwan, study abroad, explore different teaching methods, and embrace unfamiliar cultures. I am constantly asking questions, looking for better ways to communicate through music, and learning from the people around me. I believe curiosity keeps us creative.
The moment we think we know everything is the moment we stop growing.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
Whenever I need to slow down and reflect, I go to Sheffield Botanical Gardens. It is one of the places where I find clarity and inspiration. Walking among the trees often helps me organise my thoughts after a busy week of rehearsals and teaching. Nature has a quiet rhythm that reminds me of music—it encourages us to pause, listen, and notice details that are often overlooked. Some of my best ideas for lessons, performances, and creative projects have started during walks there.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
One of my favourite places in Sheffield is Marmadukes. I enjoy independent cafés because they create space for conversation, reflection, and creativity. Some of my lesson ideas, concert planand future projects have started with nothing more than a notebook and a cup of coffee. When I visit Cambridge, I also enjoy spending time at Pagès Coffee. Places like these remind me that creativity does not always happen in concert halls—sometimes it begins in the quiet moments between everyday life.
What books influenced my life and how?
One book that has influenced me deeply is Mindset by Carol Dweck. It reinforced something I had already begun to experience through music: talent is only the beginning, while growth comes from perseverance, curiosity, and the willingness to keep learning.
As both a violinist and educator, I have seen students surprise themselves when they stop believing they are “not good enough” and start believing they can improve. That philosophy has shaped not only my teaching but also my own career. Every challenge I have faced, from studying abroad to building my career in the United Kingdom, has reminded me that growth is a lifelong process.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?
I think my final playlist would tell the story of my life. It would begin with the classical music that made me fall in love with the violin as a ten-year-old girl in Taiwan. It would continue with orchestral and chamber music that reminds me of the friendships I have built through performing across different countries. There would also be jazz and swing music, because they remind me to embrace spontaneity, joy, and freedom.
Finally, I would choose a peaceful piece that leaves space for gratitude. If my life has had a soundtrack, I hope it ends the same way it has always been lived—with music bringing people together.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Hermione Granger has always been a character I admire. She is curious, hardworking, compassionate, and never stops learning. What I admire most is not her intelligence but the way she uses knowledge to help others. As an educator, I believe learning should never be about proving how much we know. It should be about creating opportunities, solving problems, and making life better for other people. Those values have stayed with me throughout my own journey.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
The first person I think of is my university violin professor, Yi-Hsiu Liu. She recognised my potential before I fully recognised it myself and encouraged me to explore opportunities beyond Taiwan. Because of her support, I studied and performed internationally, first in the Czech Republic and later in the United Kingdom.
I also admire every music teacher who quietly changes lives without expecting recognition. They may never appear on the world’s biggest stages, but every day they help children discover confidence, creativity, and hope. Those are the people who remind me why music education matters.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
I would recommend The Pursuit of Happyness. It is a story about resilience, determination, and believing in yourself even when life becomes difficult.
Throughout my own journey, I have often found that progress comes from continuing forward when nothing feels certain. Moving abroad, building a career in another country, and applying for my Global Talent Visa all required faith before certainty. The film reminds me that success is rarely about talent alone; it is about persistence, courage, and refusing to give up.
What role do stories play in my life and work?
Stories are at the heart of everything I do. Every piece of music tells a story before a single word is spoken. Every audience member hears something different, and every student brings a different story into the classroom. My role is not simply to teach people how to play the violin; it is to help them find confidence through music and discover their own voice. Working with children, community groups, and SEND and PMLD learners has taught me that some of the most powerful stories are communicated without words. Music allows people to express emotions that language sometimes cannot.
What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?
Those words remind me that our lives are shaped by the choices we make rather than the circumstances we are born into. When I picked up a violin at the age of ten, I could never have imagined that it would take me from Taiwan to the Czech Republic and eventually to the United Kingdom. Along the way, I became not only a performer but also an educator, community musician, and advocate for inclusive music education. Receiving my Global Talent Visa in 2024 was not the beginning of my story—it was simply another chapter in a much longer journey. I believe we become the authors of our own lives every time we choose courage over fear, curiosity over comfort, and kindness over recognition. If my story encourages even one young musician to believe that impossible dreams can become possible, then it has already been worth telling.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
I have been fortunate to meet many people who have believed in me throughout my journey. My family gave me the opportunity to begin learning music when I was young, and my teachers encouraged me to dream beyond what I thought was possible. My colleagues, friends, students, and the communities I have worked with continue to inspire me every day. Their trust reminds me that music is never created alone. Every meaningful achievement in my career has been built on the support, encouragement, and generosity of others.
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
I would love to collaborate with organisations that share my belief that music should be accessible, inclusive, and transformative. These include Arts Council England, ABRSM, Trinity College London, BBC, Music Mark, Youth Music, Yamaha Music, Steinway & Sons, Apple Education, and organisations developing creative technologies for music education. I am particularly interested in projects that connect performance with education and community engagement.
My dream collaborations are not simply about prestige; they are about creating opportunities for more people to experience the life-changing power of music.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
One of the projects I am most excited about is continuing to grow Aurora Echo Music. My vision is to develop it into an international platform that brings together performance, music education, and community engagement. Through Aurora Echo Music, I hope to create innovative projects that connect professional musicians, schools, community organisations, and learners of all ages and abilities. I am particularly passionate about developing inclusive programmes for SEND and PMLD learners, encouraging cross-cultural collaborations, and creating performances that celebrate cultural diversity. Ultimately, I hope Aurora Echo Music becomes a place where music inspires confidence, builds connections, and creates opportunities for people around the world.
Where can you see me or my work?
You can see my work in many different settings because I believe music belongs everywhere. I perform as a violinist, teach in schools, lead community music projects, and collaborate with organisations that promote inclusive music education.
You can also follow my work through Aurora Echo Music, where I continue developing creative projects that combine performance, education, and cultural exchange. Recent highlights include arranging music for Sheffield’s Lunar New Year celebrations, bringing together Western and traditional Chinese instruments, and creating opportunities for communities to experience music in new and meaningful ways.
Whether on stage, in the classroom, or through Aurora Echo Music, my goal
remains the same: to help people discover the power of music to connect, inspire,
and transform lives.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
To me, passion is not something connected to age, job titles, or achievements. It is a way of living. Passion is what encouraged a ten-year-old girl in Taiwan to pick up a violin and what still motivates me to keep learning every day. It has taken me across countries, introduced me to extraordinary people, and continues to open doors I never expected. I believe passion grows stronger when it is shared with others. As long as there are people willing to listen, learn, and create together, passion never truly retires.
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
I would love to hear stories from creative professionals who have expanded the boundaries of music and made it more accessible to wider audiences.
Dame Evelyn Glennie would be an inspiring voice because she has challenged traditional ideas about music, ability, and communication throughout her remarkable career.
Yo-Yo Ma has shown how music can become a bridge between cultures, communities, and generations.
I would also love to hear from Laufey. As a classically trained musician who has brought jazz to a new generation of listeners, she demonstrates that tradition and innovation can exist beautifully together. Her journey shows that respecting classical foundations does not mean being limited by them, and I find that incredibly inspiring as both a violinist and music educator.
Finally, I hope Peter continues to invite community musicians, music educators, and artists working with children and people with additional needs. Some of the most extraordinary stories are not always told by the world’s most famous performers, but by the people quietly changing lives through music every day.
How can you contact me?
I am always happy to connect with musicians, educators, schools, festivals, community organisations, and creative partners who believe in the power of music to inspire and bring people together.
Whether the opportunity involves performing, music education, community engagement, cultural exchange, or international collaboration, I am always interested in meaningful conversations and new creative possibilities. You can connect with me through my professional website, LinkedIn, or my social media platforms, where I regularly share my work, performances, educational projects, and creative journey. I believe the best collaborations often begin with a simple conversation, and I am always excited to discover where music might lead next.
Thank you for reading my story.
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