Meet Andrea Cui | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Cui and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Every major step I’ve taken as a musician has been a rather risky move, especially as I come from a family without any musical background. When I first decided to pursue music, I actually dropped out of high school to start my first music degree at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM). That’s when I knew I was all in, as not finishing high school would severely impact my other options in life.

In my first two years at YSTCM, I was studying classical trumpet performance, as playing classical music was all I knew. However, I slowly realised that there was so much more to the musical landscape than playing in an orchestra, which was when I took my next big risk. YSTCM introduced a new major, Music Collaboration and Production, which I switched to with no hesitation because I saw how it would allow me to explore much more of what music had to offer. There, I studied concepts of music business, leadership, collaboration, and event production, which ultimately led me to work with many non-classical musicians. I started my first band, where I branched out from my classical training into fusion. I also got to intern with the non-profit organization We Love Jazz Singapore, through which I met many musical mentors such as Aya Sekine that would inspire me to pursue jazz.

Thus, as I graduated from YSTCM in 2020 right as COVID hit, I took my third big risk. Knowing almost nothing about jazz, being a classical musician all my life, I decided to delve into jazz and commercial music by applying to Berklee College of Music. Now that I’m here, I’m feeling more fulfilled musically than I’ve ever felt. In retrospect, I could never have imagined this would be my life now. If I had stuck in my comfort zone, I would probably still be practicing orchestral excerpts everyday, and would be applying to orchestras and teaching in school bands right now. All these big risks, and the countless small ones along the way, have propelled me into a path of many possibilities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For the first decade or so of picking up the trumpet, I played only classical music, like most trumpeters in Singapore. I had a range of experiences with wind bands, brass bands, chamber music, and orchestra. However, I’ve always felt that these contexts did not allow me to fully express myself, as there was little room for creative freedom. Perhaps that’s why I was so drawn towards improvisational music and composition. These days, nothing excites me more than writing and performing my own music.

Of course, it has not been the easiest transition, coming from the background of a classical musician who could only play what was written on the score. I’ve had to constantly remind myself to be patient, as it really is like learning a new language. While it can get frustrating at times, feeling like I’m so far behind my peers who have studied and played jazz all their lives, I’m reminded that art is not a competition. We are all on our own journeys to discover our own truth and voice, and my unique experience cannot be replicated or challenged.

At the end of the day, if my music can reach even one person and offer comfort, inspiration, and wonder, I would’ve succeeded in my mission as an artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am pretty new to Boston myself, but there are definitely places that I frequent a lot already. For food, I would take them to Allston, Dorchester, Cambridge and the Back Bay area. There are plenty of restaurants to explore, but also cheap guilty-pleasure food like Shah’s Halal Food. As a big fan of BBQ, we’d definitely make a trip to Gyu-Kaku in Brookline.

Apart from the usual tourist locations, one hidden gem is Lilypad in Cambridge. It’s a cosy, intimate concert venue with a unique lineup of music that is sure to offer a unique and fun experience. For example, every Monday evening, two of the greatest tenor saxophonists, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone, play with their groups here. There is also the recently reopened Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club, featuring many local musicians almost every night. Another hidden gem is Virtuosity Music, which appears to be just a music shop but transforms into a concert venue in the evening.

Ultimately, a lot of what we’d do would be very spontaneous, as Boston is a bustling city with new activities and events every week. It is very easy to just wing it here, and that’s in my view the best way to really enjoy this city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Aya Sekine was one of the first people to introduce me to improvisational music. She has been an inspiration, mentor, and friend and without her support, I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue the music I am pursuing now. She taught me to embrace my own musical voice, chase my dreams, and not to be afraid.

Instagram: cyhlalala

Image Credits
TET Photography SG