ANDREW LIOU

Ever since my earliest memories as a child, piano has always been an important part of my family and my life. Even before I started learning, I had always attended both of my brothers’ piano recitals. Then, I eventually started taking up piano myself. When I was 12, our family moved to New Jersey and I continued my piano education under a different teacher. This age was particularly difficult because I was not yet mature enough to understand what piano meant to me. In addition, Dr. Lam was very different in her teaching philosophy from my previous teacher and it was a challenging adjustment for me as a young boy. At first, I would always find excuses not to practice or excuses as to why I was not meeting expectations. The more I got to know Dr. Lam over the years, however, I began to appreciate how dedicated of a teacher she really was and that she was just trying to help me become a better musician.

Eventually I started to love playing and competing, and by then I did not know why I ever hated it. I realized that being able to create music was a unique talent to possess. I dedicated myself to actually practice diligently and take it more seriously. My change in mindset allowed me to win awards in competitions such as the New Jersey Music Teachers Association, Cecilian Music Club of Freehold, Music Educators Association of New Jersey, and go on to win third place in Senior Duet of the Music Teachers National Association in 2011. Had I not changed my attitude towards piano, I would not have had so many great memories working with Dr. Lam.

As a Columbia University student, with my competitive piano playing experience behind me, I am glad that I found my passion for piano and I am grateful that Dr. Lam had the patience to wait for this change to happen.