We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hechengzi Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hechengzi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?
My first kick in my mum’s belly was quite special story. My mum is a Piano Professor in China. When she was judging a final jury she heard a loud sound, she was so confused and she looked around and then she realised it was me kicking her, in rhythm even, that was my first kick, the student was performing Chopin’s revolutionary etude.
Hechengzi , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Chengzi, my mum started to teach me playing the piano when I was two years old. My first grand prize was when I was three years old.
Growing up, Piano has always being my favourite toy, and best friend, I would tell the piano all of my secrets.
Back in the precollege times at Juilliard, I was all alone in USA, my parents are in China. Whenever I felt lonely, I would sit next to the piano leg in the fourth floor pratice room of Juilliard. I would turn the lights off and just spend time with piano. I will talk to the piano and hug the piano, this heals me.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There are so many moments that one would cherish forever.
I remember it was when I was 15 or 16 years old, I played a concert in Juilliard Paul recital hall. After being in the backstage greeting my audience, I packed up and ready to have left, when I step outside the door, there was an elderly lady who was waiting for me for so long. She came to me and of course I was already so touched and melted that she was waiting for me for all this time. Her hands were shaking and she was crying, she told me that she didn’t have a good day and my playing, especially petrouchka by Stravinsky had changed her day for the better… this moment was so special and tells me always that I cherish my audiences and thanking them always for all of their support… and really, all the hours pays off, if I helped that lady with music in any way. That’s the magic and beauty of music.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
There is an old saying in my home that only through sincerely and honesty and you touch someone’s heart. I think that’s really important when it comes to my goal.
I need to always stay true and sincere to music, audience and myself. And of course, to everyone else too
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Hechengzili.com
- Instagram: Hechengzili
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013683645709&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hechengzili6572
Image Credits
Jiyang Chen Alexander Sargent