We were lucky to catch up with Tingting Wu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tingting , 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?
Thank you for having me back for a second interview with Bold Journey. It’s a privilege to be invited again by a media outlet I truly respect — and perhaps this already explains part of my optimism. When you stay committed to meaningful work, opportunities naturally return.
In October 2025, LumiMusic reached a milestone I once only imagined. We debuted at Symphony Space Theater on New York Broadway for the New York AI Film Festival’s Awards Ceremony, and our performance was praised by major outlets including United Nations Radio, Film & Television Network, AP News, FOX 4, WJBF, WDHN, KGET, WJTV, and many others.
For me, this moment was more than a performance. It was the realization of a vision I held long before it became real. LumiMusic started as a bold idea — a fusion of piano performance, colored lighting, and emotional storytelling. There was no clear path to follow because I was creating an entirely new one. But I always believed deeply that people — and society — need LumiMusic.
That belief became my engine.
It gave me the courage to keep taking risks, to experiment, and to build something that didn’t exist before.
My optimism comes from one simple faith:
LumiMusic has a purpose in this world — and it will succeed because people truly need it.
To me, optimism isn’t naïve positivity.
It’s strength.
It means believing in your work long before the world notices.
It means trusting that the path will rise to meet you if you refuse to quit.
LumiMusic’s growth — from an idea in my mind to a performance celebrated on Broadway and recognized internationally — happened because that belief kept me moving forward. It keeps me steady when challenges appear. And it continues to shape LumiMusic’s future in powerful, positive ways.
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?
LumiMusic is my life’s work — a concert series that blends live piano performance, colored lighting, atmospheric storytelling, and emotional immersion. I now perform not only famous classical works, but also film music and my own original compositions, creating a wider and more cinematic sound world. My mission is to reshape how people experience piano concerts by making them feel cinematic, imaginative, and deeply personal.
What makes LumiMusic exciting to me is that it’s not just a concert. It’s a world I’m building.
Starting in 2026, I’m taking LumiMusic even further by developing a new generation of performances that combine:
original lighting patterns designed specifically for certain pieces,
new original music I am composing,
and carefully integrated electronic elements inspired by classical masterpieces.
LumiMusic is also expanding beyond classical repertoire into a curated blend of film music, original music, and iconic classical works, allowing each concert to explore a broader emotional palette.
These additions won’t replace the core of LumiMusic — the colored lighting, storytelling, and emotional piano performance that define us. They will simply expand the universe of what LumiMusic can be, while staying true to our mission of creating emotionally honest, healthy, and imaginative experiences for modern audiences.
My goal is simple:
to build a new concert language that feels contemporary, cinematic, and emotionally transformative — while still rooted in the sincerity and depth of classical music.
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?
Looking back, I would say the three qualities that shaped my journey the most are: the courage to confront problems directly, the discipline to trust myself even during uncertainty, and the ability to stay calm and grounded when challenges arise.
These three habits have helped me move forward every step of the way.
For those who are just beginning their careers, my advice is simple:
be extremely careful about who you allow into your life. Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy relationships as a way to escape your problems. These things only delay your growth and can cause damage that is difficult to reverse. Protect your mind, your environment, and your focus. When you stay clear-headed and choose the right people around you, your path becomes much easier to walk — and much easier to succeed in.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was giving me unconditional support and complete freedom to pursue my own path. They never pressured me to choose a safer or more traditional career, like becoming a college professor. Instead, they encouraged me to create LumiMusic and expand my dream with confidence.
Their open minds, trust, and belief in me gave me the foundation I needed to grow into who I am today. I’m deeply grateful for their support and encouragement!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tingtingw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tingtingwu.pianist/
Image Credits
Benjamin Cheung, Xiaodong Wang
