VOICES Publishing from the AAJA National Convention
By Nuran Alteir and Sadia Khatri
Internationally acclaimed pianist Jenny Lin dazzled more than 80 at an invitation-only concert at the AAJA national convention Friday evening.
The songs she played, she said, gave a glimpse into her life: Taiwan born but raised in Austria.
“The pieces I will play very much represent who I am as an artist,” Lin said. “There’s a lot of, of course, Asian as well as European. I think the American part dominates my taste.”
The room grew silent when she sat down to play. In the dimly lit ballroom, attendees snapped photos and shot videos with smartphones. Others, with wine glasses in hand, nodded quietly to the music.
The first half of the concert was dedicated to classical music, and the second was upbeat — reflecting U.S. influences from jazz and broadway musicals.
The event, sponsored by piano-maker Steinway and Sons, was the first of its kind at an AAJA convention, President Paul Cheung said.
Lin said she looks forward to playing for journalists. Her brother is a journalist and an AAJA member.
“I always feel like when I play for journalists, they’re hearing things more than the general public does,” Lin said. “In a way, it’s a very special event for me.”
She added it is even more special because it’s for Asian-American journalists.
“Asian Americans are really a driving force in the American community. If I can somehow be part of that, then great,” said Lin.
Having an extensive background in music, it’s hard to believe Lin almost chose a career in business or law.
“[Music] is something I’ve done all my life, but I came to the conclusion I wanted to do it in my college years,” said Lin, who started playing piano at 4 years old.
“I felt that music was not really the most ideal choice for many reasons: the fact I was a woman, it’s difficult because you have to do a lot of traveling, my parents were always kind of against it, also a lot of my friends were not in music,” Lin said.
But in the end, the musical path chose her. She realized her innate talent at an international competition.
“To be honest I didn’t prepare for it very well, but I did very well,” Lin said. “The competition was a trigger.”
Follow @whatnuransaid and @sadiakhatri on Twitter.
