The beginning...

My name is Yishan Shi (Sandy). I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Vocal Performance, in 2021.

I started proper and systematic music training quite late, when I was 18 years old. I was like a blank sheet of paper, knowing nothing about music, not even the fundamentals. But I was extremely fortunate to meet numerous helpful and kind people who have helped and inspired me all the way through.

Starting music training later, I had to invest more time into it and I had moments that were very frustrating and stressful, but I am very proud to say that I persevered. This is a fruit that was harvested by many people, not just my personal achievement.

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Why I do what I do

Because of my experience, I realized that my strength is I understand how hard studying music can be. I understand how frustrating it can be when you start late or when your progress is not as fast as other people's. 

I treat each of my students fairly, I share their emotions and I am always willing to be a good listener and helper for them. I do my best to share what I have learned with them in simple and vivid ways. I always care about how my student feels about the piece they are studying; as I believe, they can learn very well when they love what they learn.

I decided to study music because it's a never-ending well of new feelings, new ideas and new inspirations. It strengthens my perseverance and I got performance opportunities to express my voice to people. To perform in front of people is not because I like to “show-off”, it is because I have witnessed and personally felt the healing power from music.

​I remember just a few years ago when I volunteered at a local nursing home care center, and an opportunity came up in which I was able to play piano for a group of eldery patients during their break hours. I recall the look on their faces before I started playing: nondescript, weary, nearly stoic faces staring blankly at me. As soon as I finished playing, I saw their faces lit up and energized just by listening to my music. This scene motivates me all the time, it is also why I am keeps pursue in this career firmly.

Outside Music

Out of the music world, I am not a very serious person. I like to sleep a lot when I am not working,

I love to enjoy a movie with my younger brother, and I also love to explore this world through travel, eating, reading, and sharing time with my family.

​After all, the world and life is not always as perfect as we wish, but we can make our own life as perfect as possible.