00:00 Teaching philosophy + tailoring to each student08:20 Stages of growth: consistency → intensity → artistic independence15:24 Practice brain vs performance brain + what “a performer” really is25:37 What does “better” mean in art? Communication over measurement29:21 Competitions: validation, mindset, stage presence, judging realities42:54 Classical music, elitism, outreach, and growing the audience46:17 Closing🎵 Music CreditsOpening audio: Timothy Chooi – Csárdás (Czardas) by Vittorio Monti🔗 https://youtu.be/YQ4N0opF-_w?si=F52d6l2p8NaEoEvREnding audio: Timothy Chooi – Salut d’amour by Edward Elgar (Amsterdam, NL)🔗 https://youtu.be/IUeJUYBA7y4?si=sZzKkIRK-qSOQnd6What actually separates a great player from a great performer?International violinist Timothy Chooi breaks down fundamentals, competitions, and the mental shift that makes music land on stage.In this CliKK Chat, violinist Timothy Chooi shares practical, unfiltered insights on building a sustainable musical life—from the practice room to the competition stage.Professor Chooi breaks down:- why fundamentals matter most in your late teens and early 20s- the mental difference between practice vs. performance- how competitions really work (validation, luck, mindset)- what judges listen and look for in recordings and live rounds- solo vs. chamber vs. orchestral playing, and what each teaches- how to develop an authentic artistic voice in a world full of recordingsWhether you’re preparing auditions, prescreens, competitions, or conservatory training, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t hear in a lesson.Timothy Chooi — international violinist & professor at the University of OttawaWebsite: https://www.timothychooi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/timothychooiYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimothyChooiPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/timothychooiviolinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimothyChooiTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJmK4twuSubscribe for more conversations with leading musicians on artistry, mindset, and musical growth.