The Music Mind Lab

About the Episode:

Many young musicians don't just focus on music - academics also make up a significant portion of their lives. As these musicians approach college applications, the burden of choosing between music and academics is especially daunting.

In this episode, singer, pianist, and recent NYU graduate Angela Wan speaks about her experience balancing musical and academic passions. Listen to Angela give advice on maintaining music in college, avoiding burnout, and appreciating the power of musical education.

About the Interviewee:

Angela is a singer, pianist, and visual artist. A blend of classical and contemporary musical experiences, in both solo and group settings, has imbued her with a profound appreciation for the transformative impact music can have on young lives. She is passionate about improving the accessibility of early musical education and is excited to be part of a generation of musicians who are equally invested in mobilizing music as a vessel of positivity and empowerment. 

Intro/outro music: Granados "The Maiden and the Nightingale," performed by Angela Wan

About the Episode:

What makes an amazing chamber rehearsal? How do musicians communicate their musical ideas? How do teenagers practice productively and manage their time?

In this episode, violinist Eidee Tan speaks about her beginnings with the violin, her exciting chamber music journey, tips on how to have an effective performance, a strong mindset for managing time, and much more. Listen to Eidee combine her music training with insights from professional mentors and psychology knowledge!

About the Artist:

Eidee is a Seattle-based student violinist, chamber musician, and ensemble leader who began her violin studies during the Covid-19 pandemic and quickly discovered a passion for connecting with others through music. She has been a member of the Seattle Chamber Music Society Youth Academy for the past three years, performing in winter and summer festival pre-concert recitals and presenting full chamber music programs in Tacoma and other regional venues.She serves as concertmaster and section leader in school and community orchestras, including Newport High School and Seattle Youth Symphony, and is actively involved in coaching and mentoring younger musicians. Eidee currently studies with Professor Ronald Patterson, a former student of Jascha Heifetz, and Simon James of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Intro/outro music: Kodály Serenade, Op.12 , performed by Eidee Tan, Caileen Wan, and Zachery Pun

About the Episode:

Is music the right path? When students begin their musical training very early, they often face the challenge of deciding if music is a passion or an obligation. Especially with the addition of academic work and other extracurricular commitments, navigating music studies can become incredibly overwhelming.

In this episode, singer and violinist Julia Hu shares the importance of taking a step back and reassessing one's commitment to music. Listen to hear her speak about the mutual benefits of vocal and violin training, comparisons between group and solo music making, and her perspective on what it really means to love music.

About the Artist:

Julia Hu is an 11th grader at Lakeside School in Seattle. She has been playing the violin since age 5 and singing since age 11. She has been concertmaster of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra twice, qualified for state Solo & Ensemble in violin, and accepted to the NafME NW Regional Orchestra. Additionally, she was a finalist in Solo & Ensemble for voice and accepted to WMEA All-State Choir. Outside of music, Julia likes to draw, read, and cox on her school crew team.

Intro and outro music: Lalo Symphonie espagnole, Op.21 , performed by Julia Hu

About the Episode:

What does it take to pursue music long-term? As young musicians approach the college application process, many struggle to decide between pursuing music or academics. With so many external pressures and different opportunities, it can be incredibly challenging for young students to decide if and how they want to keep music in their lives. 

In this episode, violist Amanda Wu shares her perspective on maintaining the joy of music in her life even after entering university. Listen to Amanda speak about her love for the viola, her experiences continuing her musical journey in her university’s symphony orchestra, strategies for avoiding burnout with her musical studies even while pursuing rigorous academics and extracurriculars, and advice for managing stress associated with recordings and performances.

About the Artist:

Amanda Wu is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Neuroscience. She has been playing the viola for over 10 years and was a longtime member of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she served as the principal violist. In 2024, Amanda won 2nd place in the Viola Solo category at the WA State Solo and Ensemble competition. She participated in the Seattle Chamber Music Society Academy in Spring 2024 and was featured on Classical King's Northwest Focus Live with her piano quintet. She has also attended Interlochen Arts Camp, where she served as principal violist of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. Outside of the viola, Amanda also enjoys long-distance running, discovering new hikes, and learning languages.

Intro/outro music: Bruch Romanze, Op.85 , performed by Amanda Wu

About the Episode:

One of the most important aspects of music learning is our relationships with others. The friends we make at youth orchestra, the peers we meet at summer programs, and our private teachers and chamber coaches are just a few examples of the many opportunities to connect with and learn from other musicians.

In this episode, violinist Tony Wu speaks about his origins as a violinist and pianist, the inspirations he receives from peers and professional musicians, strategies for maintaining musical passion along with academics, techniques for efficient practice, and advice for building supportive musical relationships.

About the Artist:

Tony Wu, a 14-year-old violinist and freshman at Northville High School, began studying violin at six and has since earned top honors in international competitions, including the Radda Rise, American Protégé, and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competitions. He currently studies with Mrs. Enoria Li at the University of Michigan and has trained at renowned programs such as Interlochen Arts Camp, the Jacobs School of Music String Academy, and Center Stage Strings. Beyond performing and working with youth orchestras such as the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Tony shares his music through community recitals at senior homes and enjoys video games, listening to all kinds of music, and watching movies and TV shows in his free time.

Intro/outro music composed by Bertrand W.

About the Episode:

The majority of classical musicians begin their training at a very young age - largely due to their parents' wishes rather than their own. This lack of choice combined with the stress and pressure of competitions, daily practice, and comparison with other musicians often compound to burnout and loss of enjoyment through music.

In this episode, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Sophie Wickersheim offers an insightful perspective towards appreciating and creating music. Listen to Sophie speak about the process of songwriting, her experiences with musical theater and concert choir, her inspirations for creating music, and her advice for pursuing what you truly love.

About the Artist:

Sophie Wickersheim is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Seattle, WA. A long-time member of show choir, Sophie also actively participates in theater productions and bands. Check out her music (Sophie Emerson) on Spotify and Soundcloud!

Intro/outro music: Puzzle Pieces by Sophie Emerson, written and performed by Sophie Wickersheim (Sophie Emerson)

About the Episode:

Many young musicians struggle with performing. Not only is it challenging to master the technical aspects of repertoire, but it's also another layer of difficulty to communicate musical ideas and leave an impact on the audience.

In this episode, cellist Harry Tao explains how to practice before performances, how to manage your mental state both before and while onstage, how to create an impactful performance, and how to find personal success from competitions and summer programs.

About the Artist:

Harry Tao is an 11th grader at Wilton High School in Wilton, CT. He began studying cello using the Suzuki method. Over the years, he has received lessons from various teachers, including Lois Errante, Justin Park, Taeguk Mun, Samuel DeCaprio, Andrew Mark, Paul Katz, Leo Singer, Amir Eldan, Horacio Contreras, and Boubacar Diallo. Currently, Harry studies under Clara Kim in the Juilliard Pre-College program. 

Harry has accumulated awards for numerous competitions over the years, including 1st place in the 2023 Hamden Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Concerto Competition, 1st place in the 2023 Danbury Symphony Orchestra Student Concerto Competition, First Prize Winner in the 2023 VIVO International Music Competition, 3rd place in the 2024 International Grand Music Competition, Finalist in the 47th Hartford Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, 2nd place in the 2024 Marianne Liberatore Instrumental Competition, and 2nd place winner in the Junior II Division of the 2025 Camerata Artists International Competition.

During the summer, Harry attends numerous music camps to elevate his cello mastery. During the summer of 2023, Harry participated in the Junior Division of the Heifetz International Music Institute in Staunton, VA, and the Chamber Music Institute for Young Musicians under the direction of Asya Meshberg in Darien, CT. During the summer of 2024, Harry was a part of the Bowdoin International Music Festival in Brunswick, ME, and was the youngest student accepted into Paul Katz’s studio. For the summer of 2025, Harry joined the Center Stage Strings summer program at the University of Michigan, performing for donors and on outreach with his quartet, the Palindrome Quartet. Harry was also 1 of 4 cellists accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College program in 2023 as a cello major. Furthermore, Harry has served as the principal cellist for the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony for pieces such as “Les Préludes” by Franz Liszt and “Oboe Concerto in D Major” by Richard Strauss.

When he is not practicing the cello, Harry enjoys supporting his community and playing soccer. He currently plays soccer for the Wilton High School Varsity team. He was a starting player for the AC Connecticut U14 National Team, which became the U14 State Champions for Connecticut in 2023. Later that year, the team finished in the top 4 in the Eastern Regional Championships in June. He also co-founded the local music therapy non-profit Artistica Dynamica. Having served as treasurer since 2023, Harry and members of Artistica Dynamica perform “lecture-recitals” at schools and assisted living facilities across New England to educate others about the psychological benefits of music therapy.

Intro/outro music: SEVEN (2020) by Andrea Casarrubios, performed by Harry Tao

About the Episode:

Musicianship is more than just practicing scales daily and entering competitions. In fact, an excessive focus on technique and competition repertoire can cause later difficulties expressing oneself musically and learning new styles of repertoire.

In this episode, pianist and violinist Charie Chang speaks about the value of learning a wide variety of repertoire, the fundamentals of Baroque and Classical pieces, and how to build a healthy and sustainable relationship with music.

Intro/outro music: Addinsell Piano Concerto, "Warsaw Concerto," performed by Charie Chang

About the Episode:

What goes behind a good performance? According to many musicians, confidence is a major factor. Yet for young students surrounded by constant comparison and feedback, true confidence seems impossible to obtain.

In this episode, violinist Sydney Li-Jenkins shares her tips for performing with confidence, practicing pieces effectively, and balancing her musical studies with her academics. Listen along to learn from her rich summer program, competition, and chamber music experiences!

About the Artist:

Sydney is a 15 year-old violinist from Sausalito and studies with Elbert Tsai at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a soloist, Sydney has performed with multiple orchestras including the Mill Valley Philharmonic, the Sonoma County Philharmonic, and the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra. Sydney has garnered numerous awards and accolades. She is a 2026 YoungArts award winner, the 2025-2026 MTNA California state winner in the Senior Strings category, one of nine national semi-finalists in the prestigious 28th Sphinx Competition, and first prize winner in Pacific Music Society, International Youth Music Competition, and Korea-American Music Supporters Competition. She is the 4-time recipient of the Marin Music Chest and was awarded the Alma Tomlinson Award for Outstanding Performance in 2025.

Sydney is an avid chamber musician and a founding member of the Onde Trio. Her passion for learning and performing chamber music was recognized by Yellow Barn, the internationally renowned chamber music program, with an invitation to participate in a collaborative performance at the 2025 summer music festival. Sydney is a current member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (Second Violin Co-Principal 2024-2025) and a past member of the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra (Co-Concertmaster 2022-2024). In past summers, Sydney has attended Music@Menlo (2024), Center Stage Strings at the University of Michigan (2025, 2024, 2023), and the Sphinx Performance Academy at Juilliard (2022) and Cleveland Institute of Music (2023).  Outside of music, Sydney is a fan of poke, crocheting, and F1 racing.

Intro/outro music: Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 , performed by Sydney Li-Jenkins

About the Episode:

Despite the early age that many musicians begin learning their instrument, burnout and lost passion are overwhelmingly common. Many musicians struggle with tedious practice, parental pressure, and competition, and eventually lose the love for their instrument.

In this episode, violinist Oliver Tan speaks about starting his studies motivated by his love for music, his challenges and highlights while navigating various musical communities, and his advice for remaining passionate through the difficult journey of learning music.

About the Artist:

Oliver Tan, raised in the Greater Seattle area, began his musical studies at age 7 on piano and 3 years later on the violin at age 10, initially just playing with his school orchestra and two years later being admitted into the studio of John Kim. In the summer of 2024, he attended Interlochen Arts Camp for violin for 3 weeks on a partial scholarship, and there he was under the tutelage of Dr. Naomi Gjevre. Oliver has won top prizes at various local music competitions, including the Bach Festival and Classical Viennese Festival, and has served as concertmaster in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras (SYSO). He participated in a chamber music workshop hosted by the Skryos Quartet in the summer of 2025, in which he studied Mendelssohn's first string quartet in A Major, and he has also performed the first movement of Schubert’s Cello Quintet in C Major. He currently serves as assistant principal second violin in the Junior Symphony in SYSO, and plays in the first violin section of his school orchestra. In his free time, he enjoys doing debate, going on runs, and listening to music. 

Intro/outro music composed by Bertrand W.