Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Brian Lin! This talented 24 year old pianist received his bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School in 2014, where he is currently pursuing his master’s degree with Joseph Kalichstein and Yoheved Kaplinsky. We recently got a chance to ask Brian a few questions about his life in music.
Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how did that community affect who you have become?
Brian Lin: I grew up in Shenzhen, China. It’s a mega-city just like New York. It made me a city-person and is probably one of the reasons why I like New York so much now.
HS: Are there other musical people in your family?
BL: My dad used to be an amateur clarinetist and saxophonist, so he really loved music and started me on piano. He has always encouraged me to pursue music as my career.
HS: At what age did you begin playing your instrument and what memories do you have of your first rehearsals or performances?
BL: I started learning piano when I was 4 and 1/2. I don’t really remember my very first performance, but I remember my first performance with an orchestra at the age of 15. It was during the finals of the Virginia Waring Competition and it was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had as a musician.
HS: What has been the most exciting event for you in your musical career?
BL: It is hard to pin-point one event that was the most exciting for me, but traveling all over the world has definitely been extremely exciting for me always.
HS: Who are some of your most profound influences and what is the impact they have had on you?
BL: I am very easily influenced by all kinds of people and as a result I don’t have any specific people in mind who have had the most profound influences on me. I’d say that all of my piano teachers, present or past, have made huge impacts on me and made me who I am today.
HS: Who is the most famous person you have met or worked with?
BL: I had masterclasses with Murray Perahia and Richard Goode.
HS: Do you have any favorite TV shows?
BL: I like to watch Friends, 24, Sherlock and Game of Thrones.
HS: Do you have any favorite sports teams?
BL: Houston Rockets!
HS: What kinds of food do you like?
BL: All kinds of Asian food, especially spicy food.
HS: Do you have a favorite city or destination to visit?
BL: Both Paris and NYC are favorites.
HS: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
BL: I like playing computer games and basketball.
See Brian Lin perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor for FREE at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music on Thursday June 2. And don’t forget to get tickets to the Finals Concert!
