The concert ended, but… I couldn’t leave the country. No, seriously. In this episode, I share the surreal story of performing in Russia where my passport was taken, a mysterious man (possibly KGB?) took special interest in me, and bureaucracy nearly stole the show. Luckily, the music—and one very warm-hearted orchestra—kept me going. Set to my marimba solo “Capricornus,” this is a journey through ice, intrigue, and the unexpected kindness of strangers.

Picture this: cowboy boots, hot air balloons rising at dawn, desert winds that make you question every life choice, and somehow, you’re there to perform. In this episode, I revisit my surreal adventure in New Mexico: part music tour, part Western movie, part freezing cold existential crisis. With my piece “January” in the background, come along for a wild ride through Americana dreams, unexpected beauty, and a lot of shivering.

This wasn’t a vacation. It was a government-level concert tour in Mexico with armed guards, strict schedules, and no permission to leave the hotel. In this episode, I share my surreal experience: performing with eight mallets, trying to stay sane in lockdown, and facing the loudest (and possibly wildest) audience of my career. Set to my piece “A Way to Love,” join me for a musical mission wrapped in soft lockdown, jetlag, and… surprising joy.

This isn’t a travel show, but it could be. In this episode, I relive one of the most chaotic and unforgettable journeys of my life: struggling with an Argentinian visa, sprinting through airports, almost busking at immigration, and somehow ending up onstage surrounded by suspiciously good-looking people. With “Galaxy Echos – Magic” as the soundtrack, join me for a whirlwind story of music, panic, and the kind of adventure that makes no sense until much later.

Tired of chaotic ensembles? Fine, let’s talk solo. In this episode, I dive into the terrifying beauty of performing alone: no teammates, no shared glances, just you, the lights, and your brain slowly turning into static. It’s not about glory; it’s about surviving sweat, memory lapses, and the silent pressure of space. With my “Galaxy Suite” in the background, come orbit the strange, exhilarating universe of solo performance.

What’s ensemble playing? It’s when you rehearse for weeks; only for someone to say, “Wait… were you all playing at the same time?” In this episode, I talk about one of the toughest and least appreciated challenges in a musician’s journey: ensemble performance. It tests your timing, your flexibility, your diplomacy, and your patience. With my piece “Silk Road” as the soundtrack, join me for a rhythmic, chaotic, and painfully rewarding chapter of musical life.

Some musicians chase competitions. I… accidentally stumbled into them sometimes while eating instant noodles. In this episode, I share my unexpected encounters with international music competitions: the surprise nominations, the last-minute preparations, and the “how-did-I-get-here” moments. With my remixed version of “Maple Leaf Rag,” let’s talk about the weird, stressful, and occasionally hilarious world of competing without really planning to.

What’s an artist-in-residence? Basically, it’s a way to **legalize your creative brainwaves **with a proposal, a plan, and maybe a dash of guts. In this episode, I share how I crafted my residency application: planting artistic ideas inside a music institution (without actually trying to take over the orchestra!). Accompanied by my solo piano version of “Milk,” this is about turning imagination into structure, and proposals into playgrounds.

How did playing the marimba lead me… to a medical school? In this episode, I share the unbelievable but true story of my collaboration with a neuroscience team where music met rehabilitation, and rhythm became a research tool. From analyzing muscle movement in percussion to designing tempo-based therapy exercises, this journey blurred the lines between stage and lab. Set to my piece “Milk 2,” come join me on a marimba-powered trip through the world of neuro-rehab!

When I started practicing Tai Chi and Qigong, I never expected music to be the thing that resonated most. In this episode, I explore the surprising connection between marimba and movement, between breath and rhythm, between presence and sound. Percussion isn’t just about striking; sometimes it’s about letting go. With my solo piano version of “Cafe without Sugar,” join me in discovering how stillness can become music, and how flow becomes a form of discipline.