Looking back 8 years
One of my social media feeds reminded me that I have graduated from University of Southern California with a Doctor in Musical Arts (DMA) degree 8 years ago (2014-05-16). It was tough but extremely fulfilling three years that I spent at USC. One of the greatest part about being in one of the schools that attract great players is that you are able to collaborate and play music that would be a bit difficult to find when you are out of school. I had wind ensemble that rehearsed regularly and few occasions to play with the orchestra, which isn’t something that not a lot of classical saxophonist can keep doing.
Fast forward few years later from this very day that I finished 9 straight years of academic schooling, I started teaching at one of the California State University schools and was regularly called by the LA Phil when they had saxophone parts. I had many performing opportunities, and I feel like my playing and my sound has been really solidified as I have worked closely with collaborative pianist, Mary Au. I also formed Chika&Scott duo with classical guitarist, Scott Morris and we had the privilege of stepping foot in the historic Capitol Studio to record an album, engineered by legendary engineer Al Schmitt and produced by Niko Bolas. Scott and I toured around Spain to do video recordings in 2019 and this summer (2022) we will be spending another three weeks in Granada, Spain to be part of the Guitar Festival and to teach at CSU Summer Arts Guitar course. I have also been fortunate to have been selected to coordinate the Saxophone course for the CSU Summer Arts that is happening June27-July10 this summer, asking the famous Capitol Saxophone Quartet to work together along with amazing musicians, John Hallberg, Ricardo Martinez and Benjamin Boone!
I of course had many ups and downs. We all do. But looking back from where I had taken these pictures until now, I am simply grateful. I am thankful to all the people around me, who have always supported me to be who I am. To the people who I will meet from here on with my journey, I look forward to meeting you and I hope that we can all push each other up to reach where we want to attain.
It is good to look back at your landmarks in your life sometimes, to see and realize what you had changed and what have been accomplished.
