Gen Li

I think the other piano professors are also like that, because in every class I went to, the professors were very helpful for developing your own style, and they give you respect for what you are working on; they don’t try to change your technique, or interrupt your technique. So I’ve kept my own style very well, as well as fixing the things that could have been improved. I think that’s very important to us as pianists.

Chamber music in Trinity Laban is also a very important part – it plays an important role in every department. As pianists we can choose to work with other pianists, in four hands or piano duet, or we can work with other instrumentalists. I did my chamber music with my wife Lilia – she is a flautist, also a pianist. We worked together on some piano repertoire and some flute repertoire – flute/piano and piano/piano. My teacher Deniz was very helpful as she is also a very famous chamber musician. Also, I went to other chamber music classes; we sign up on a sheet and play every Tuesday to receive ideas from chamber music coaches. This is very important because in the international competitions, in the semi-final round, they always require chamber music works to be played. I think Trinity Laban has given a lot of help for that. Every time I went to international competitions I wasn’t scared about the chamber music because we practise that a lot.

I think Trinity Laban is a place where all the musicians should go if they can because in Trinity Laban the environment is very positive, and the staff extremely helpful; no-one is cold or unfriendly, everyone is very friendly and supportive and the facilities are brilliant; you can practise for hours and hours on the things you are trying to work on. The academic environment and the teaching levels are superb.

I think this is the most important time in my life and career. I would say since coming into Trinity Laban my career has developed so I can’t believe it! So I would say yes, if you can go to Trinity Laban, don’t miss it.