Meet Monique Chao

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monique Chao. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Monique , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I take frustration and pressure as the best companions on the path to the goal.

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?

This is Monique Chao, I’m a Taiwan-born jazz big band composer and conductor. I have founded my first jazz orchestra in Milan, Italy. It’s the best thing in my life. In only one year, my big band album “Time Chamber” has been rewarded by “Downbeat” jazz magazine as a 4.5 star album in 2024. And I’ve interviewed by the most prestigious jazz magazine in Italy “Musica Jazz”.
We are playing often in Milan’s important jazz venues, hopefully very soon also in some international jazz festivals.
My big band plays exclusively only my original compositions and we bring a fresh, pioneering sound to Italian jazz scene. And there will be always more to come. Have a look of my website for more info: www.moniquechao.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Being kind, humble, generous, stubborn, and brave are the most important qualities. Always trust in yourself and your music companions. Do not be afraid of being alone because the moment you are alone, your inner voice is the best mirror to reflect your path. Both positivity and negativity.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

“The elegance of the hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery is one of my favorite books to read. The main character was a concierge lady who works in a luxury apartment, but her hobby is readying. She is an extremely knowledgeable lady who disguises herself under the appearance of a silent and proud concierge. This book has taught me to not only judge a book by its cover.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photographers: Chris Gao, Chingyuan Lin, Arianna Ciattini

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