Artist Statement

Carrie Rong

Primarily as a performer, teacher, and learner, my work in the arts mostly concerns musical
approaches to expression and interpretation. My exploration in the field of classical piano performance
began when my parents, as appreciators of music, put me in private lessons at the age of five; it was not
an immediate infatuation, but rather a slow and captivating fall into the amorous depths of classical and
contemporary music that lends itself to further scrutinies of the evolution of how we do things. After a
decade of perseverance and refusals to quit, music has blossomed into the very core of my existence.
It was not until a few years ago that I started taking my endeavour of becoming an artist
seriously; until then I did not practice with the intention of shaping the music as my own but trudged
through most practice sessions with my parents nagging or fear of my teachers reprimands before a
lesson. I credit this pivot in mindset to various influences: changing piano teachers, discovering pieces
and recordings of classical music that I fell in love with, and the realization that I needed to work
unbelievably hard if I wanted to be satisfied with the skill I acquired. I owe the strong foundation of my
musical understanding to my current teacher, Lana Henchell. During four years of private lessons she has
opened my eyes to the magic of storytelling in every piece; she has shown me the impact of having
cadences at certain points, of the significance of phrase structures, of the different colours of certain
harmonies in certain keys. Because of her I feel equipped to handle technically difficult passages as well
as emotionally challenging ones; she has taught me to practice for myself, and everything I understand
about music now has stemmed from her tutelage. Still, it has taken a good amount of self-motivation to
dedicate myself to this art, and I have gotten this from hearing others play, either live or in studio
recordings. The first time I heard classical piano in a live concert hall was watching the finals of the
Honens International Piano Competition and seeing the performers fierce, beautiful mastery of their
instrument: aside from leaving me in awe, it began an avalanche of aspiration to become like them. As
well, through the internet I have discovered recordings of pieces that have, over time, shown me the
possibilities of power, passion, and contrast that are in a composition. Experiencing the abilities of those
whose skill and understanding were light-years beyond mine, I slowly began to see that my meager
unfocused hour of practice every day would be futile in helping me achieve my desire to become a pianist
who could spread the joy of music as easily as they did; now upwards of four to five hours does not faze
me as I know that I have infinite amounts of things to improve upon. Because I am far from being done
learning all I can and want to seize the opportunity to continue developing myself as an artist, I am
embarking on the journey to a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance at McGill University in the
Schulich School of Music. It thrills me to no end to think about stretching light-years beyond my limits
and embarking on a journey of inspiration and transformation in a world-renowned music program.
Though the piano is my deepest love, Ive had flings with the violin, oboe, and French horn; the
universality of music training has given way to playing French horn in my school wind ensemble and
several horn and brass choirs, in addition to piano in advanced jazz band. My school music teachers
Brendan Hagan and Richard Harding have provided me with profound inspiration to be the best musician
I can in every aspect of playing. So many opportunities for solo, chamber, and large group playing has
honed my awe of performance - something Ive become addicted to; a way to communicate to the
audience without speaking. Music has also given me a way to reach out to community: through weekly
accompanying for choirs and soloists as well as teaching young students of my own I nourish my passion
far and wide, and interlacing a common love for music with other people has given way to some of the
happiest moments of my life. Ive been privileged enough to compose the a soundtrack of our school play
entitled The Laramie Project, directed by drama teacher Caitlin Gallichan-Lowe, uncovering a lifetimes
worth of joy in discovering the dark and light colours of harmonic architecture and melodic design.
Through this exploration I was delighted to entwine the creativity inside my mind into sonorities that
acted in tandem with the scenes on stage, to make hearts wrench and spirits sing - but it also opened a
door of curiosity where I pored over the works of renowned composers such as John Williams and Max
Steiner with fascination, trying to incorporate the ideas of some of their masterpieces into my own music.
How cleverly they hid motifs that signified particular places or characters, how they created climaxes
through changes in rhythm and texture, how seamlessly they wove cadences as a final sigh in the piece: I
began to grasp that music is much more than a textbook or notes on a page, but, like all art, there is no
right or wrong but rather different paths of expression.
I have no expectations for the years ahead; instead, Im standing before a blank canvas with
paintbrush in hand ready to take any obstacles I meet in stride. No matter what I know that making music
will be a part of my life, whether it be through learning, performing, teaching, or experiencing. I have
plans to join an instrumental ensemble in university, along with absorbing all the expertise my music
professors will have. The extensive instruction Ive gotten in music has allowed me to garner an
appreciation of the wondrous ability of art to move and to touch, to bridge barriers and to connect - and I
want to spread this joy through teaching students of my own. I believe the continuation of arts education
is critically necessary; it is so important for one to have an outlet for creative expression as it stretches
lifes possibilities hundredfold. Music, dance, visual art alike: they force ones perspective to morph and
cause their outlook to change - more than making someone more creative or thoughtful or
intelligent, art is a standalone character that is able to bring hope to the sorrowful and empathy to the
cold-hearted. Many a time Rachmaninoffs sonatas have consoled me when my friends couldnt, and
Bachs fugues have added a bright spring into my step; music adds colour into a life that would otherwise
be empty. Humans by nature need more than the rigid science and math classes they require in high
school, they need something to teach them to find meaning in the beauty that is everywhere in life.
Its a true honour to able to participate in the expression of a language so profound it transcends
barriers between individuals, to be entrusted with a responsibility to make notes on the page land on a
listeners heart. Many scoff at the idea of the existence of magic, but I believe it is at every turn of the
shoulder - every piece of artwork, every musical arrangement, every story of motion and language is an
elucidation of what makes us human.