We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Peiyao Yu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Peiyao below.
Hi Peiyao, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
One experience stands out in my memory. In college, I attended a masterclass where a gifted middle schooler effortlessly played beautiful music for a world-class pianist. When asked how he did it, he simply said, “I just feel it that way.”
That moment made me realize how easily talent allows some to reach heights that take me countless hours of practice. In the music world, this natural gift is a huge advantage. It led me to struggle with imposter syndrome. I felt the gap between myself and these prodigies.
I developed an idea to counter these feelings. If I’ve tried my best and put in the effort, I deserve the praise and applause I receive. This helped me accept my achievements.
Think of talent and effort as products we sell. For the gifted, talent is their primary product. I have my own talents to offer too. But talent isn’t unlimited. Once it’s “sold out,” effort can replenish it. Effort isn’t secondary. It’s a sustainable resource that can make up for gaps in talent.
My accomplishments come from both my talent and countless hours of hard work. When imposter syndrome creeps in, I remind myself that I’m not just selling talent. I’m also selling the results of my effort. I’ve earned my success through both.
This mindset helps me accept my achievements and value myself more. It’s made me confident about my future in music and in life. I know that with passion and perseverance, I can keep improving and reaching my potential.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Currently, I’m the organist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Studio City, CA. I also play for several local choirs and high schools. One of the things I enjoy most about my work is collaborating with others to create music. There’s something magical about coming together with fellow musicians and producing something beautiful and meaningful.
When it comes to music, I’m open to all genres and styles. While I’ve had over 20 years of training in classical music, I’m equally devoted to exploring new musical frontiers, be it electronic or pop. I don’t believe in setting boundaries in music – I prefer to challenge myself and embrace diverse musical experiences. I welcome anyone interested to visit our church services or concerts. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll have the chance to collaborate musically in the future!
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?
Curiosity: Maintaining curiosity is important. The moment people lose their curiosity is the moment the artistic passion in their heart extinguishe. This constant curiosity fuels my ongoing enthusiasm for creativity and keeps me moving forward on my artistic path.
Proactivity: While curiosity and the desire for knowledge are essential, they’re not enough on their own. Many times, I’ve sat in front of my computer, and if I hadn’t sent that email, or if I had bought that sheet music but never booked a performance for myself, everything would have been different. So beyond abundant curiosity, it’s vital to push yourself to act, to implement, to try everything, rather than just sitting there with the imagination running wild while the body remains still.
Self-awareness and Boundary-breaking: I’ve realized we often unconsciously set boundaries for ourselves. As classical musicians, we might unintentionally define “music” within certain forms. As well-educated individuals, our high self-esteem can make it hard to accept advice from peers or person outside our field. Recognizing these invisible limits has been crucial in my growth. Embracing diverse perspectives, welcoming constructive feedback, and avoiding unnecessary self-imposed boundaries have been key to my artistic journey. This outlook has been the key to keeping my art fresh and relevant, constantly evolving with each new experience and interaction.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, I don’t like to set boundaries in my artistic exploration. I’m open to all types of collaborations, even if they might seem unusual at first glance. Whether you’re a dancer, painter, sound engineer, photographer, or from any other creative field, if you’re looking for a pianist or organist to create a unique project, I’d love to hear from you.
My classical training gives me a solid foundation, but I’m eager to explore beyond traditional classical music. That said, I should mention that jazz-related projects are currently outside my skillset. However, I’m always excited to learn and push my boundaries.
If you have an idea for a collaboration or just want to connect, feel free to reach out to me. Let’s see what kind of artistic magic we can create together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yupeiyao.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peiyao.yu.7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yupeiyao719
Image Credits
Matt Petty, Michael Bersin, Zhengyingyue Huang
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