We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tingting Wu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tingting below.
Tingting, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Growing up in an Asian family, my parents had high expectations for me — to achieve the best in everything I did: the highest scores, the best results, the most prestigious outcomes. That pressure shaped my discipline and ambition, but over time, I began to realize something deeper.
Life purpose isn’t about fulfilling other people’s expectations — not even those of your parents, professors, or respected mentors. Purpose is about listening to your own voice — especially when it’s bold, innovative, or ahead of its time.
For me, purpose now means using my talents not just to succeed, but to create value and positive impact in others’ lives. I enjoy helping people discover and reach their goals in music, and I love inspiring people to believe in themselves, build confidence, and never let others define what they can or cannot do.
As a concert pianist, Miami’s Top Piano Educator, and Founder of ColorMusic, my purpose is to awaken something deeper in people through music — to help them discover themselves and feel more deeply in a fast-paced world.
I want my work, art, and music to remind others: you have the strength to become your best self, and you don’t need anyone’s permission to chase your dream.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a concert pianist, Miami’s Top Piano Educator, and the founder of ColorMusic, I pour my full heart and energy into each role — because they are all connected by one purpose: to inspire and positively influence people, guiding them to love themselves, believe in their abilities, and live meaningful, healthy lives.
After earning my Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami with a full scholarship and winning multiple international piano competitions, I shifted my focus toward building ColorMusic — a unique and innovative piano concert series that combines colored lighting and live piano performance with storytelling. Each show is designed to guide the audience to discover and connect more deeply with their emotions and imagination.
ColorMusic now runs monthly in Brickell, Miami. Since our debut in December 2024, we’ve completed two themed seasons: A Magical Piano Show (Dec 2024 – Feb 2025) and Film x Classical (April – June 2025). Out of six performances, four were completely sold out — a clear sign that people are craving an emotional and immersive musical experience that helps them connect more deeply with themselves.
I invite readers to explore more or join us at an upcoming show beginning in late September 2025 by visiting:
👉 www.colormusicshow.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?
In my journey, these three qualities have been essential:
1. The ability to resist distractions and superficial temptations
In today’s world, everything seems designed to pull you away from your dreams — from harmless-looking short videos to more harmful influences like alcohol or drugs. This ability to stay focused is essential.
Discipline isn’t just about working constantly — it’s about saying a firm no to the wrong things, even when they surround you. Hold your dreams and goals as your top priority, and believe in yourself: You can do it!
2. Bravery to confront challenges
Whether it’s a daily task or a deep emotional wound, I’ve learned that if you try to avoid the essential steps to elevate your life — skipping the class, postponing the workout, denying a habit that needs to change — it will come back to chase you later.
However, when you face it directly, you have a much better chance to win. Most of the time, problems shrink the moment we confront them. If you run, they grow. If you face them with action and positivity, you grow stronger than the problem.
3. Resilience
Things often don’t go the way we expect — Sometime, many outside factors affect how things go, and there’s nothing related to your effort about it. You can always find other ways to achieve your goal, and also, don’t give up. When things don’t work, I rethink, refine, and try again. You may fail 10 times in different ways— but success comes on the 11th. You’ll never regret that you tried, but you will regret not trying and carrying that “ what if ” for the rest of your life.
These three skills have helped me grow and move forward:
1. Mastering a specialized skill
Whether it’s playing the piano, public speaking, or developing sharp observational ability — a specialized skill takes time, focus, and dedication to build. Find something that comes naturally to you and grow it with intention.
It will not only make you feel proud of yourself but will also support you in the long term — practically, emotionally, and professionally. A well-developed skill becomes your anchor and your edge.
2. Long-term, logical thinking and trend prediction
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s crucial to slow down and think deeply: What do you really want your life to be in 5 or 10 years? And what steps can you start taking now to move in that direction?
It’s also important to observe patterns and predict trends — in people, in business, in culture. This kind of thinking helps you position yourself ahead of time, and adapt your work and career in a strategic way.
3. Knowing how to be happy
Not the quick highs — but learning how to relax, recharge, and release pressure in a healthy, sustainable way. It might be as simple as taking a midday nap, learning a new skill like drawing or swimming, or going for a quiet walk.
Life isn’t just about working hard — it’s also about caring for yourself and enjoying the journey while you work toward your goals.
And these are the three most impactful areas of knowledge I’ve developed:
1. Marketing
Because even the best ideas need to be seen and understood. If you don’t promote what you create, it stays hidden — and the people who could benefit from it may never know it exists. Great marketing isn’t about showing off — it’s about helping others discover something meaningful and could be used to benefit their lives.
When you market with purpose, you’re serving others. So promote your work not for ego, but for positive impact.
2. Emotional Intelligence
Understanding others and managing your own emotions is crucial in modern life. You can only help others effectively if you can sense what they truly want, how they feel about themselves, and what they may leave unsaid.
At the same time, emotional intelligence helps you recognize your own needs and inner state — so you can manage yourself before everything builds up silently. It’s a skill that protects both your relationships and your energy.
3. Self-Learning Beyond School
The real world doesn’t hand you a syllabus. Instead, you design the curriculum of your life. What do you want to know more about? What knowledge will help you become a better version of yourself or grow your business?
Learning doesn’t stop after graduation — even if you’ve earned the highest degree at a top university. Lifelong learning is not a luxury. It’s the mindset that keeps you evolving, confident, and fulfilling!
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The book that shaped me the most is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.
I still remember the first time I read it — I was shocked and at the same time deeply moved by how Jane Eyre stood up for herself, even when there was no one standing beside her. That moment left a deep imprint on my heart and helped shape who I am today.
The most impactful nugget of wisdom came when she stood up to Mr. Rochester, even though she loved him deeply.
She says:
“Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart!… I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.”
That quote changed me — and Jane did leave Mr. Rochester with that surprisingly strong self-respect and willpower. It taught me that even if you’re poor, lonely, or unseen by society, your soul is still equal to anyone else’s. You can walk away from something or someone that doesn’t respect your worth. You can choose your dignity, even if your heart is breaking.
Jane’s strength, clarity, and self-respect stayed with me. I’ve carried that energy into my life, my work, and my values as a woman, artist, and leader. Jane Eyre helped shape the woman I’ve become today — even though my challenges are far smaller than what she had to face.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tingtingw.com | www.colormusicshow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tingtingwu.pianist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianowtt/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tingtingwupianist/
Image Credits
Photographer: Xiaodong Wang
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