Siqian Li on the power of teachers

Throughout history, teachers have always played an indispensable role. They pass on wisdom and knowledge, open doors for those who are eager to learn about the world and lead them in the right direction. Before people reach a certain level of knowledge or master a specific discipline, they may fear the unknown and feel unable to choose the right path in life. Although no one can guarantee that every choice is absolutely correct, guidance from a good teacher will certainly help one understand the world and themself. This can save so much time as one seeks to find value in their own life.

Classical music is a profession that needs to be inherited, and its cultural essence and value have been passed on from one generation to the next for hundreds of years. Because of all the great teachers who came before us, we are so lucky to have the chance to feel and interpret in the 21st century the music and spirit of those astonishing composers, despite hundreds of years having passed by.

There is, then, no doubt in the power of teachers in classical music. Personally, good teachers have been of the utmost importance to me. My teachers have not only taught me how to master the piano, but they have also taught me about being a person with a good heart and having integrity. In a way, what they have taught me has had a profound impact on my values. I believe that a great teacher can not only guide students professionally, but also become a role model in their lives; having a positive influence on students at a certain stage or even on their entire life’s path. So, having good teachers is absolutely crucial and very valuable.

For me, one of these teachers is Professor Huiqiao Bao. I studied piano with Mrs Bao from the age of ten until I graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. After 12 years of studying with her, I can say that Mrs Bao has become far more important to me than a teacher is to students. She is more like my family, friend, role model, she knows me even better than my family. Now, we are thousands of miles away from each other, but she continues to follow my career and we still talk about everything. She led me into the world of professional pianists, and from her I learned about the hardships one must pay in this profession, and the happiness that will be harvested. When I began competing in the international stages around the age of ten, she would accompany me to every performance, and if she couldn't make it, I would get a card from her with a message, “enjoy the music, my heart is always with you”. This was such a sweet encouragement and provided me with spiritual support. Her unconditional love and support for me has brought me to where I am today. She laid an extremely solid foundation for my piano skills, but more importantly, her qualities as a female musician have left an indelible impact on my life.

Another teacher who had a profound impact on me was Professor Alexander (Sasha) Korsantia. There is a fearless passion in Sasha's playing, and nothing can stop the spark that bursts out of his exquisite and creative music. His musical style is also perfectly reflected in his teaching. From the first lesson I took with him I was completely overwhelmed and inspired by such passion (I myself am relatively introverted and shy). During my four years of study at New England Conservatory in Boston, Sasha was constantly encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, explore the limits in music, and show everything fearlessly on stage. He is an extremely strict teacher, with high standards for his students, so we always worked super hard. But in life, he is a very good friend organizing class parties and barbecues for the students as well as chatting with us about life. My time studying with him can be perfectly summed up by the motto ‘Work hard, play hard’. His charisma as a teacher and artist has always been inspiring me. I'm also very grateful that he has changed me in so many ways, allowing me to carry that fearless power to continue on the path of music.

Lastly, I am grateful to my teacher Professor Norma Fisher. I have been studying with Norma since 2019, when I moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music. Studying with her allowed me to explore the deeper meaning in the musical world - what does music mean to human beings and what does it mean to the world? These are lifelong questions, and it will take years to discover the answers, but Norma unearthed my own curiosity. Her teaching goes into every detail, with particular emphasis on understanding the connotation and culture behind music through the score itself. Therefore, the learning process with her has influenced and inspired me to also think about the deep connection between people and cultures, and it has led to a deeper thinking about music as well. After all, musicians never study and work in a vacuum – we must study all aspects of life.  Alongside Norma’s inquisitive nature, she is also a sincere and kind teacher who cares for her students in every possible way. Without her unconditional support, I would not have been able to mentally survive the pandemic or have the courage to continue on the path of performing.

Mrs Bao, Sasha and Norma have all given me pearls of wisdom that I hold close. They have all showed me that only the love and faith in music can supply the power to survive dilemmas, and that any struggles that an artist goes through will eventually become their treasure. When people are facing many realistic situations it's easy to neglect the power of this statement, but the truth is, it indeed can be the most powerful spiritual pillar. My personal experience throughout the pandemic has led me believe this even more firmly.

To any aspiring musicians, I suggest seeking the help of a teacher if possible, because it is the most direct way of learning. If you don't have the right teacher at the moment, learn from books and recordings, as you will definitely benefit from them in the long run. Additionally, the internet provides masses of resources that people can search for (although you will need to filter out the useless information). At the same time, I would also suggest consulting your peers as most of them have experienced the problems you are facing, and perhaps their advice will be the key to changing your situation.

Music is a lifelong journey, and it takes musicians a lifetime to learn. If a musician stops learning, their musical career will also end. Young musicians progress under the guidance of their teachers and mentors and these teachers are also constantly learning finding, in the process of teaching students, that new ideas are created. Musicians also need to learn from each other. Every musician has their own unique musical language and artistic experience, and learning from peers is always the best way to improve yourself and understand the musical world around you.

London-based Chinese pianist Siqian Li will next perform in a recital at St James's Church Sussex Garden, with a stylistically diverse recital of works by Debussy, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Chopin and Liszt at 7.30pm on 26 February 2022. Tickets can be found here.

You can find out more about Siqian Li here.