Q&A with Dr. Thomas Yee
What is your favorite piece of music to play? To listen to?
As a pianist, we have SO much music composed for us by virtually every composer! I am fortunate to keep myself surrounded with different music - from solo, chamber, collaborating with colleagues, to accompanying talented young musicians. I also enjoy performing with large ensembles; both orchestra and chorus. Above all, the opportunity to perform a concerto with an orchestra is a coveted experience. Ask me any day what is my favorite piece, and I would hope to have a different answer for you! The plus side is that I'm never bored, and my sightreading skills stay sharp because I get way too much practice than I'd like to admit!
What achievement over the course of your life are you most proud of?
We can always be thankful if and when the wind blows in our direction. In my developing years, I received tremendous familial, provincial, and national assistance - financial and otherwise. Above all, my alma mater fully supported and believed in my potential. I was distinguished with an Alumni Award for outstanding academic, professional, and community service.
What is one of the most important pieces of advice that you were given as a musician or teacher?
I would describe myself as a self-motivated highly-caffeinated individual who keeps a maniacal schedule! (At least 6 months ago I was). My high school piano teacher recognized this, and it baffled me how she loved her weekend getaways and would spend summers in seclusion at her lake cottage. She once told me that when I hit 40 I'll understand!
I get it, I got it, and it's good!
I don't have to tell anyone reading this that as a musician living in Hawaii, we all need to hustle a buck. In March 2020, feeling overwhelmed and over-committed, I prayed for a break - to please put life on pause so I can (sorry) "breathe". Forced to step back, slow down and take a break, I now see myself in my 40s forced to spend the summer in seclusion and LOVING IT!
How do you motivate your students to practice and excel at their craft?
I have been fortunate to not have issues with motivating my students, but my situation is a bit different. As a college professor, I teach aspiring musicians and as tuition-paying students, the motivation is there (on most weeks).
I have additionally been fortunate to teach other extremely talented students, both young and young at heart. I really make it point to have fun with teaching or any form of music-making. Making music has its challenges but it really must be FUN!
All students have some sort of goal in mind - performance, competition, audition or to sound better in the privacy of their home. Practicing piano for hours on end can be a lonely world. I have found that making the goal a team effort (without applying pressure), and working toward a common goal to be successful.
What is one of your fondest memories of a teacher?
As a teacher, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride when a student sets a goal, puts their best effort towards it, and then is able to accomplish said goal. Whether the goal is acceptance and teaching assistantship to a top conservatory, an international competition, a degree recital, or learning a 2-octave scale hands together - it's always a big deal!
I love the quick moments during a lesson when something clicks with a student, and there's an "AHA" moment. The connection between student and teacher has been established, which we all know lasts a lifetime.
What is your philosophy of teaching?
As a teacher we all want our students to eventually be better than us, just as a parent would wish for a world of opportunities for a child. There is a lot of information to understand on a printed page of piano music for an individual. As a teacher, my goal is to teach students to understand how to read, comprehend and interpret the musical style and language, learn how to use the body to relate to the piano as a means for personal expression (technique), and understand the qualities and characteristics of various different instruments (and acoustics) and how we learn to adjust our technique accordingly.
The gift of complete musical awareness, intellectual comprehension, and emotional satisfaction is what I wish to pass on to each and every one of my students.
What advice do you have for the young aspiring musicians of the next generation?
My advice for aspiring musicians would be to be multi-faceted and flexible. In these days of Covid-19, I must be honest and admit I have never even heard of Zoom until mid-March! I was not particularly tech-savvy but all of this has changed quickly!
I made adjustments in my office at UH to allow for online teaching. As of August 2, I have converted a room in my home into a piano studio with technology that allows me to teach remotely from home. I have learned how to connect my piano to an audio interface which then feeds sound to my iMac through Zoom with an external microphone, various camera angles (front, side profile, and above the keyboard), and with the capacity to play recordings, share music scores and even annotate.
Sorry if I sound super proud, but I'm the last person who you'd think could ever figure out this type of technology! I used to think that 88 keys were enough to master in a lifetime. Turns out there are a few more things to learn these days, and that we're never too old to learn!
