SOTY 2023/24: Performing Artist second runner-up talks about her deep commitment to music
Wong Yuen-ki is a Form Five student at TWGHs Kap Yan Directors’ College who believes in music’s power to connect people.
Wong Yuen-ki, a 16-year-old Form Five student at TWGHs Kap Yan Directors’ College, was the second runner-up in the Performing Artist category at the Student of the Year awards. Photo: HandoutWong Yuen-ki, a 16-year-old Form Five student at TWGHs Kap Yan Directors’ College, began her musical journey by chance.
“I stumbled upon a piano at a music shop downstairs from my home. I was fascinated by how the pedals beneath the keyboard could sustain each note,” she shared.
This encounter sparked a deep commitment to music, shaped by a teacher’s early words: “On this journey, you will face many setbacks and endure a lot of hardships. Are you willing to go through that?”
Reflecting on those words, Yuen-ki believes her initial lack of understanding of “setbacks” allowed her to remain fearless and become who she is today.
For Yuen-ki, music is about creating something beyond the score. She describes her vision as “following in the footsteps of those before me while composing chapters for those who come after”.
She is captivated by the process of expanding two-dimensional notes into a four-dimensional experience, and her admiration for Beethoven goes beyond his life story. “Every time I play his subito forte/piano, it pains me, as if I can sense his struggles in those barely noticeable moments,” she said.
In 2020, Yuen-ki’s second-place finish at the Berlin Art Festival became a significant milestone in her career. “That night was both the loneliest and the warmest of my life,” she recalled.
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Although she was isolated in a foreign country where she couldn’t speak the language, the warmth of a handshake from an audience member after her performance comforted her. “Music is international and fluid; even if people’s experiences don’t overlap, it can still spark their imagination,” she said.
Recently, Yuen-ki earned third place in the Student of the Year (SOTY) Performing Artist category, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. This recognition further solidified her position as a young artist with a promising future.
Yuen-ki’s journey extends beyond competition; she even created WONDERLAND, a platform for music lovers. “I created this platform to collect small insights and performance clips from my journey of learning music,” she explained.
Since then, WONDERLAND has gained over 30,000 views, providing a space for like-minded individuals to share their knowledge and passion for classical music. Yuen-ki said this experience strengthened her resolve to dedicate herself fully to music performance.
Additionally, Yuen-ki is exploring the connection between music and science through her research into chromesthesia, a form of synaesthesia where sounds evoke colours.
“Every time I hear a melody I love, I get chills down my spine, and I visualise spheres moving in my mind,” she explained. Her research into this phenomenon has deepened her understanding of how the brain processes sensory information in relation to music.
Looking forward, Yuen-ki aims to continue refining her musical and scientific knowledge. “My plan is to refine my studies and performance,” she said, aspiring to find a balance between her passion for music and her curiosity about the scientific world. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to listen to music and the melodies within their hearts.