Driven by dreams and love, a high school student from Taiwan, raised by a single parent in a financially challenged household, has realized his dream of playing the piano. Within just a year of learning to play the notoriously tricky compositions of the “European Piano Master” Franz Liszt, he has won three major competitions in Taiwan.
After his parents divorced when he was three, Liu Cheng-yang, a third-year National Hsinchu Senior Industrial Vocational School student in East District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan, lived with his father. In his first year of school, he accidentally stumbled upon a video online of a Taiwanese pianist playing Liszt’s compositions at the 2000 Chopin Piano Competition. He was captivated by Liszt’s powerful and explosive style, forming an unbreakable bond with his music.
A gifted keyboard opens a path to music
Unable to afford a piano or lessons, Liu worked part-time at a convenience store in Hsinchu City to earn the fee for his lessons. There, he befriended the daughter of the store manager, Ms. Zheng. Recognizing his keen interest in learning the piano, Ms. Zheng gifted him an electronic keyboard from her home, thus beginning his musical journey.
Liu taught himself to play Liszt’s music by downloading sheet music online. Later, to practice on a real piano, he would sneak into the school’s activity center on weekends, hiding behind the stage curtains to play a dusty piano. However, the loud music alerted the school security, and he was reprimanded for trespassing.
Upon learning of his desire to play a real piano, Ms. Zheng offered him her piano at home for practice after his part-time shifts. She also provided him with meals and arranged extra work opportunities during holidays when others were off.
Liu once played so passionately that he broke a piano string, feeling deeply guilty. This motivated him to work harder to save money to rent a piano room.
Working to pay for lessons
Determined to practice, Liu’s daily earnings from part-time work were insufficient to cover the NT$1,000 per hour piano lesson fees. He seized every moment to practice, playing until his hands were calloused and blistered.
The piano room owner noticed Liu’s talent and introduced him to Kuo Feng-wei, who studied music in Germany and had just returned to Taiwan to teach. Moved by Liu’s dedication and challenges, Kuo decided to teach Liu for free and helped him polish his skills.
Kuo guided Liu into the world of Liszt’s piano music, even purchasing Liszt’s sheet music for him. He explained that Liszt’s music combines auditory and visual beauty, and when played to perfection, it can reach a transcendental state. Under Kuo’s guidance, Liu felt he could glimpse Liszt’s inner world with each note.
Support from the piano room owner and teacher elevated his talent
Kuo registered Liu for music competitions and drove him between Taipei and Hsinchu for events. In May 2007, Liu participated in the Taiwan Music Competition regional finals for the first time, winning first place in the classical piano youth category. Two months later, he won the Hsinchu Cultural Cup Music Competition and the National Music Competition’s Piano Youth F Group championship with Liszt’s Paganini Etude No. 3.
After achieving the triple crown, his school principal, Huang Wei-hsien, praised Liu as a beacon of pride and granted him a commendation. “Liu is our pride,” said the National Hsinchu Senior Industrial Vocational School principal. “As long as he wants to practice, he is welcome to use any of our pianos for free anytime,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey from being reprimanded to receiving accolades, Liu expressed immense gratitude for the many benefactors in his life. Without their unwavering support, he would not have “met” the piano master. His greatest dream was realized when he later owned his piano and designed an electronic piano that could express dynamic strength, benefiting more piano enthusiasts.
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