Vivian is our classical piano PRODIGY. She tickles those ivories like you would not believe, and can reduce grown adults to tears with her music. When she is around she brightens our studio with her cheeky smile and sense of humour, and has a loyal following of students who have flourished under her guidance. She is also Mell’s go-to source for where to find good cafes, a vital skill in Melbourne. She loves singing along to bangers during car rides (I have witnessed this firsthand), has plans to run her own studio, and we firmly believe she is destined for a prolific future in music. You can discover more about our Viv below:
What podcast/album/playlist are you listening to right now? I’ve recently discovered this Australian artist called Wafia and am obsessed with her tunes!
Who are your favourite Melbourne artists right now? As bad as this sounds, I don’t think anyone I’m listening to is Melbournian…I am definitely open to suggestions though!
What did you want to be when you were a kid? A veterinarian.
What is your secret talent? Not sure if this can be classified as a secret talent, as I do it literally every time I have a pen or pencil, but I do this weird spinning thing with my fingers which many people have commented on. I swear it has become a unconscious habit to deal with my nerves or when I’m bored.
What made you choose your instrument? I started learning piano at 5 so I didn’t really get to choose per say? But it was my mum’s love for it as she grew up in a tiny apartment which did not allow her to learn. But speaking for myself, I continue playing piano as it provides a platform for me to release stress and brings a smile to people around me.
What three things would you take on a desert island? I’m going full survivor mode and choosing a knife, unlimited supply of 50+ sunscreen and some sort of water purifying tablets.
What song do you never want to hear again? Toccata in D Major BWV 912 by Bach. I did this piece for my LMUS exam and I still remember to this day how mind numbingly hard it was to memorise.
What is your favourite thing about teaching? I love seeing the ‘lightbulb’ moment in my students’ eyes when they finally figure out how to fix a mistake which they’ve been working on for weeks or grasping a new concept – it’s truly an amazing feeling for me!
If you were in a band, what would it be called and what style would you play? I’m not too sure what name I would call the band I’m in but I reckon I definitely will be on piano playing a ‘modernised’ or jazzed up renditions of classical pieces.
What is your favourite way to spend Sunday? Relax, recharge my battery up for the following week and spend quality time with my family over some delicious food – this may or may not include fried chicken and many many cups of tea….
What advice would you give to your 12 year old self? There’s more to life than good grades.
Can you cook? What is your signature dish? Yes! I’ve actually recently got into cooking and baking. My signature dish would probably be Japanese fried chicken and a mean sticky date or crème brulee.
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Arden Cho probably?
What kind of animal do you relate to? A wolf! I’m always on the hunt for anything that might interest myself, friends and family regardless if that’s related to food, clothes, experiences or goals. I also work better in a team environment and I feel way more supported in a group scenario than solo, but don’t get me wrong, I do like some alone time to recoup and destress.
If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing? A teacher, as I love working with children and find it so rewarding.
