Yay.. I was featured on Lianhe Zaobao (SG Chinese newspaper)

Translation:

Although I started late, I studied hard and pursued my dream of violin music.

by Oh Kiat Muay

published on 13 Nov 2023

Li Yilian (38 years old) became interested in the violin when she was in primary school. In order to persuade her parents to let her learn the violin, she promised them to work hard for the Primary 6 exam and quickly enter secondary school.

After she got her wish, in order to reduce her parents' expenses, she started taking on part-time jobs when she was in secondary school. After graduating from junior college, she chose to enter society to pursue her dream and become a violin teacher.

At the age of 34, Li Yilian returned to school and studied for a bachelor's degree in music education at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. After graduating this year, she went on to study in the Master of Arts and Cultural Leadership program at LASALLE College of the Arts.

When interviewed, Li Yilian said that she only started learning violin in the first year of secondary school, which was later than the average child. However, she studied hard and passed the Grade 8 exam within five years. Introduced by her music teacher, she started teaching violin part-time at a music school when she was in junior college.

Thanks to parents for their support. Working to earn pocket money reduces the burden on parents.

She thanked her parents for their support in allowing her to take violin lessons even though they knew nothing about music. Her father was a taxi driver, and violin lessons were not cheap. In order not to increase the burden on her parents, she worked in a fast food restaurant during middle school to earn some pocket money.

At such a young age, she has already set her sights on her goals. The experience of teaching violin part-time confirmed her ambition. She enjoyed the process of teaching children, so she entered the workplace after graduating from junior college. During this period, she also paid attention to short-term professional courses overseas and flew abroad to learn from music experts.

In 2017, Li Yilian stepped out of her comfort zone and opened a music school. However, due to factors such as increased rent and costs, the entrepreneurial journey only lasted about two years. After she closed the school, she continued to teach violin in students' homes.

"Later, I saw that the university offered a bachelor's degree in music education, and I decided to seize the opportunity. Formal education is still important. I once applied for a job, and they asked for a relevant university diploma. Further education can strengthen my professional knowledge, and I enjoy the learning process. , I continued to study for a master’s degree after graduation. I taught violin at the same time, which was quite tiring at times, but I felt very fulfilled.”

Actively promote music activities and organize workshops in cooperation with the National Library Board

Li Yilian also actively promotes music activities and cooperates with the National Library Board to organize workshops to introduce violin to children. This year, she also flew to Qatar to organize workshops for the local children’s museum, teaching how to make musical instruments from recycled materials. “I look forward to participating in more music promotion projects like this and sharing my love of music with others.”