Meet Yuking Chou Brandenburgh

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yuking Chou Brandenburgh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yuking Chou below.

Hi Yuking Chou, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Transitioning from Taiwan to Vienna, Austria, at 14 was a true test of my resolve. Leaving behind the familiar for the unknown demanded courage, but I embraced it as a chance to grow. Learning German, a completely new and challenging language, while navigating daily life in a new city was daunting, but I faced it head-on with determination.

During my first year living alone, I learned to cook, hunt for an apartment, pay bills, and carry coal for my heater to my third-floor apartment. Thinking back, I often felt like Cinderella, and I’m grateful I never caused any fires or suffocated myself in the process. You get the picture!

Despite these challenges, my passion for music fueled my perseverance. Each obstacle became an opportunity to grow, and setbacks taught me resilience. Through determination and a willingness to embrace change, I thrived in my new environment.

Today, this resilience shines through in my ability to overcome adversity, adapt to change, and relentlessly pursue my musical aspirations. It reflects my inner strength and unwavering commitment to excellence, no matter the challenges I encounter.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As someone who has spent their formative years in Taiwan and has obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna Austria, as well as a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in the USA, I consider myself a true global citizen.

I am the founder and CEO of Yuking Chou Piano Studio and GlobalScale Piano. Additionally, I have the privilege of being a faculty member at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. My passion lies in providing comprehensive piano instruction and coaching services to students, both in-person and online.

I am very pleased to be able to deliver high-quality instruction that is tailored to the individual needs and goals of each student. I believe in providing a personalized learning experience that helps my students thrive and reach their full potential.

Those students who truly dedicate themselves to their piano studies and consistently push themselves to improve bring me the greatest sense of pride. Within my piano studio, I am especially proud of those who have achieved remarkable success in international competitions, with some even earning invitations to perform at prestigious international venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and various concert halls in Vienna Austria. In the past two years alone, I have had the privilege of preparing five of my students for their debut performances at Carnegie Hall, which is an incredible accomplishment.

Thanks to modern technology, geography is no longer a barrier to learning. My professionally equipped studio seamlessly transitions between in-person and online instruction, making it ideal for my GlobalScale Piano program. With my unique methodology, I have trained numerous international award-winning students.

This technology enables me to reach students worldwide, whether they are preparing for competitions, or auditions, improving their teaching skills, or pursuing personal piano mastery. I am committed to delivering top-notch instruction tailored to each student’s needs and goals.

With the power of virtual collaboration, people from diverse backgrounds can come together to learn and train, overcoming physical distance. The increasing popularity of online international competitions reflects the growing preference for digital platforms as sources of motivation and validation.

My goal is to make high-quality piano education accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. By bringing piano lessons directly to individuals in the comfort of their own homes, I aim to democratize this form of education. This initiative creates a collaborative environment where educators worldwide can come together, similar to how viral videos spread across social media platforms and reach audiences worldwide.

The approach I have developed combines elements of Asian, European, and American piano styles. By leveraging the strengths and mentalities of these diverse traditions, I can deliver an educational experience that is truly enriching.

I’ve just scheduled a 4-day Chinese-speaking online masterclass in Asia for mid-October 2024, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I would say the three qualities that have helped me nurture my talent, and eventually advance my career, are a constant drive for self-improvement, extreme diligence, and a sharp focus on what I love.

Passion is a powerful motivator. I remember in elementary school, I would occasionally sneak away from classes and slip down to the basement, where the practice rooms were located, to practice piano. Now, it seems strange that teachers didn’t closely monitor attendance during those times. Perhaps they noticed my absences but chose to turn a blind eye, understanding that I was always preparing for the next competition. My unwavering focus on music allowed me to push through challenges and stay committed to my goals.

I’ve always strived to better myself in ways I believe are essential for my musical growth and long-term journey. I constantly sought feedback, embraced constructive criticism, and looked for ways to improve. This drive led me to travel to Germany and neighboring countries while studying in Vienna, Austria, to attend piano masterclasses every summer. I studied various piano traditions, including Germanic, Russian, and eventually American schools while pursuing my doctorate in Cincinnati. Expanding my horizons and learning from different schools and sources has been the most powerful aspect of my piano journey.

If you’re just starting out, be open to learning and growing. Seek out mentors, attend workshops, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Be adaptable and willing to adjust your approach as needed.

Hard work and discipline are crucial. I dedicated countless hours to practicing piano, honing my skills, and refining my craft. To develop this quality, create a structured routine and stick to it. Create a schedule, set specific goals, and maintain consistency. Celebrate small victories along the way to keep yourself motivated!

For those early in their journeys, I recommend that you find what you truly love and immerse yourself in it. Your passion will sustain you through difficult times and keep you motivated!

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe that balancing the development of strengths and the improvement of weaknesses can lead to a well-rounded skill set and greater success in my profession. For pianists, focusing on strengths can help build confidence and showcase unique talents, while addressing weaknesses can ensure more comprehensive technical and artistic abilities.

Growing up, I was constantly reminded by my teachers that I didn’t have big hands—a significant challenge for a pianist. However, one teacher, to whom I am forever grateful, told me that having large hands wasn’t a necessity for success. Instead, I needed to be able to stretch my hands to play big chords and produce a rich sound. So, I made it a point to stretch my hands every day. Thanks to that effort, I can now play big chords and create a powerful sound that often surprises my colleagues and friends.

Had I not worked on stretching my hands and simply accepted my small hands as a limitation, I wouldn’t have been able to tackle challenging pieces or produce the big sound I’m known for today. This experience taught me the importance of balancing the development of strengths with the improvement of weaknesses to achieve success.

On the other hand, when preparing students for an international competition, I focus on their strengths. For instance, if a student has a powerful sound and enjoys playing big chords, I will select a repertoire that highlights this ability. Conversely, if another student feels less confident with large chords but excels at playing fast, delicate runs, I will choose pieces that showcase this skill to its fullest potential.

My conclusion is that a pianist should work on all the different techniques necessary for their development, ensuring nothing is overlooked during their studies. However, when it comes to performance, it’s essential to highlight and reinforce their unique strengths and qualities, allowing them to truly shine on stage.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Mark Lyon, Bill Brandenburgh,

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move