Home: Houston, TX. Age: 64. Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan. Profession: Concert violinist, educator, festival administrator and professor. Organization: Rice University. Title: the Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Distinguished Professor of Violin, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Deborah Lin (spouse). Alma mater: Juilliard School. Languages spoken: English and Chinese.
Current project: Developing a major music festival in Los Angeles. Recent recognition: Rice University bestowed an endowed chair in 2018. Latest accomplishment: Opened the 2024 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival; performed at Lincoln Center, NY, presented by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; performed at the 80th birthday gala for famed conductor Leonard Slatkin, with pianist Olga Kern and baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Founding the Taipei Music Academy & Festival in 2018. An instantly successful mentoring program for the young talents in music, bringing world class musicians to Taiwan to perform and to teach. Hobbies: Big Yankees fan; tennis, wine. Recent travel or adventure: Witnessed Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Saw the stunning San Juan Islands in Washington State, and performed there. Last book read: The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle, by Jane Leavy; Prisoners of Geography, by Tim Marshall. Recent unique acquisition: Several great violin bows by French masters.
Personality profile: Easy to talk to, interested many subjects. I find people interesting. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Intelligent (I hope). Moral compass: Loyalty among friends. A real sense of bonding, sharing in the joy of life. But family is everything. How do you define a perfect friendship? A great chat about baseball or violins over a bottle of great Bordeaux. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Honesty and transparency. What is your greatest joy? Seeing the Yankees win a World Series championship. What is your greatest fear? Being unable to play the violin. What is your guilty pleasure? Chinese moon cakes. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Just get it right. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Historians who can shed light on a complicated subject while being comprehensible. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Hawaii, Bora-Bora and a good wine store. What is at the top of your bucket list? The pyramids of Giza. How do you relieve stress? Sleep, baseball and finding friends to share something good (wine, music or a latte). What is your go-to workout? Treadmill, some weights, stationary bikes. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Good air quality, terrific food, great company.
What was your first paying job? Being guest soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. What was your favorite college course? Chamber Music. Because I had great coaches. What book have you repeatedly read? The March of Folly, by Barbara Tuchman. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Godzilla. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Photos with great musician colleagues. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My three violin teachers. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Keep asking questions. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Perform only when you are ready. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? E-mail. What is your go-to source of news and information? NY Times, CNN, WSJ. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Listening to recordings of great performances. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11.
What is your big idea?
Education. The need to pass on knowledge about music, interpretation and violin skills.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Creating mentoring programs in Taipei. What change would you like to see in the world? Less destitute. What widely held belief do you reject? I hate doctrinaire people. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? How to Play the Violin Like a Champion. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Mozart. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A baseball player. Then, a history professor. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My violin. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Finish my wine collection and go out in a stupor. What advice would you give your younger self? Explore music of today more. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day I turned down an invitation to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Personal motto: Enjoy life. Love one’s family.
