Meet Jenny Wu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Wu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenny, 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?
In order to answer how I found my purpose, I need to answer what is purpose. In my opinion, purpose is the underlying reason or intention behind an action, decision, or existence of something. It represents the desired outcome, goal, or meaning that drives an individual, organization, or entity to engage in specific activities, pursue particular objectives, or fulfill a particular role. Purpose often provides direction, motivation, and a sense of significance in life, work, or personal pursuits, helping individuals and groups make meaningful choices and contribute to their own well-being and the greater good. It can vary greatly from person to person and from context to context, encompassing aspects such as personal fulfillment, social impact, career objectives, or broader societal contributions. Ultimately, purpose gives meaning and significance to one’s actions and existence.

My purpose is to ensure that everyone who crosses my path experiences love. This guiding principle of love was deeply inspired by my mother, who served as a pastor throughout her life. She exemplified love in every aspect of her existence, and her influence on me has been immeasurable. Even during her brave battle with cancer, she continued to impart invaluable lessons on love and the significance of shaping one’s purpose around it. Her unwavering commitment to love, even in the face of adversity, left an indelible mark on me.

As I go through each day, I am dedicated to perpetuating her legacy of boundless love, making “love” my own purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I hail from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where my journey of music and purpose began. At the tender age of 3, I embarked on a musical odyssey, learning both the piano and the violin. My family was deeply entrenched in the world of music, with my mother being a piano teacher and my father a guitarist and government employee. Together with my older sister, who shared our passion for violin and piano, we were groomed from an early age to become competitive musicians.

I vividly recall my first competition at the age of 7, where, in a memorable mishap, I fell on my way to the stage. Despite this initial hiccup, I persevered and proudly secured 2nd place in my city. At age 9, my family and I immigrated to the United States, a journey that was marred by financial setbacks just a week before our departure. Nevertheless, driven by my mother’s unwavering vision to provide her children with opportunities in the USA, we landed on American soil on Christmas day in 1993, surrounded by the heartwarming glow of holiday lights and the joyous embrace of the people.

Our early years in the USA were marked by challenges, but my mother’s determination led her to find the best teachers for my sister and me, enabling us to continue our musical pursuits. As we grew, so did our list of accomplishments, with national and international violin competitions falling to our musical prowess. By the time I entered college, I had already toured the USA and Asia as a performer, earned my Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees on full scholarships, and had the privilege of recording and performing alongside renowned artists like Sarah Chang. I graced the stage as a pre-concert performer for Grammy-winning ensembles such as the Takacs String Quartet, Guarneri String Quartet, Beauxarts Piano Trio, and collaborated with esteemed musicians like Hilary Hahn, Emanuel Ax, Gil Shaham, Yo-yo Ma, and many more. My solo career took me across the USA, Japan, and Taiwan, and I even ventured into the realm of popular music, working with artists like Kanye West, J-Cole, Flo Rida, Journey, Grammy winner Miho Hazama, and Grammy nominee Kindred and the Family Soul.

My journey also led me to the role of General Manager at Kushner Entertainment, where I had the honor of overseeing talented musicians in six bands and up to four string quartets. Additionally, I took on the role of a violin teacher, guiding my students to become concertmasters of the All-State Orchestra and achieve their own accomplishments.

Amidst all these accomplishments, I found myself grappling with existential questions about my purpose and the nature of fame. I came to the realization that life transcends mere pursuit of fame and wealth. In the United States, our brave military personnel sacrifice their lives in the service of others, allowing people to live for themselves. This insight led me to the profound belief that we should live our lives for others, leaving a lasting impact that defines who we are and whom we’ve touched.

It was during this introspective period that I met my life-changing partner, Zyi Li. Our shared passion for music kindled our love story, culminating in our marriage in 2022. From our very first encounter, we discovered a shared vision—to spread genuine love throughout our community. Recognizing our exceptional synergy and complementarity, we founded Zyi Li Music and Entertainment, a platform for artists and performers to explore creativity. We also established Love Found STL, a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing relationships and providing relationship support.

With marriage came a move to St. Louis, where we embarked on our latest venture, Luvwoo Bar. Our bar’s motto, “Inspired by Love, Created by Wu,” encapsulates our mission. Luvwoo Bar is a craft cocktail establishment that pays homage to the rich tea culture of the world. In America, when we think of tea, we often envision “Boba tea” or “Bubble tea,” but tea is far more expansive in its cultural significance—it symbolizes unity and togetherness. Luvwoo Bar offers tea ceremony experiences and signature tea cocktails alongside classic cocktails. More importantly, it serves as a hub for local artists and performers, fostering a sense of community among all who step through its doors.

We eagerly anticipate our grand opening in mid-November in St. Louis, and we are proud to serve our community with boundless love, creativity, and a warm welcome.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My violin mentor, Dr. William Starr, the visionary founder of the American Suzuki Association, imparted to me not only the art of playing the violin but also invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond music. Here are some of the pearls of wisdom he shared:

Your most significant competition is not found in others but within yourself.
In the realms of music and life at large, external voices often distract us. It’s essential to maintain unwavering focus on oneself, not out of selfishness, but to ensure continuous self-improvement. This steadfast self-focus has been a source of my mental fortitude.

Practice doesn’t make perfect; it makes permanent.
The common misconception is that practice leads to perfection. However, it’s not just repetition; it’s the quality of practice that matters. Our brains form lasting memories with each repetition, but we must also regularly review, evaluate, and refine our actions to progress. Practicing poorly ingrains “poor” habits, while diligent practice for improvement solidifies “better” skills.

Don’t let your emotions dictate your actions; act, and your emotions will follow.
Mastery in any endeavor demands effort, and that work isn’t always enjoyable. As a violinist, I’ve experienced countless days when motivation waned. Yet, I’ve learned that consistency is key. I set daily goals and committed to achieving them. By doing what I set out to do, I found a sense of accomplishment, which, in turn, improved my overall emotional state.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Whenever I find myself overwhelmed, I’ve made it a habit to pause and ask, “What’s causing this feeling of being overwhelmed?” More often than not, I’ve discovered that it’s because I’ve become too consumed with thoughts centered on “I, Me, and Myself.” To counter this, I’ve had to consistently remind myself to broaden my perspective. It’s perfectly fine to engage in conversations with others and bounce ideas off trusted individuals. I’ve had to cultivate a circle of trust, where I can openly share my thoughts, knowing that they won’t judge me for what’s going on inside my mind. This circle of trust has been an invaluable resource, helping me navigate various aspects of life, and I am deeply appreciative of their support.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Washington Photo, Jenny Wu, Zyi Li

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