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

Hi Stephanie, what principle do you value most?
Integrity. I’ve learned that when craft becomes career, we are endlessly tested with our integrity, both relationally and artistically. It has always been important to me to take accountability in making choices that feel right. I also mean ‘integrity’ in the sense of doing things well and wholly, not half-heartedly.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve played the violin for about 29 years now. The skill has opened doors to entering exclusive institutions and worlds which have shaped my sensibilities and life experience. After going to fancy art schools for over a decade and being immersed in rigorous classical training, an idea has been ingrained in me about what success would look like in my field. However, I’ve always been an outlier and skeptic in terms of the expected and popular, so it has taken me work to deconstruct and reconstruct the framework in which I now work. Since I was a teenager I’ve always loved exploring music of all genres; thus after I received my B.M. and M.M. at Juilliard, I went to learn how to DJ. I credit my deep respect and study of pioneers in music to my classical background, although some principles seem in conflict with each other, such as the importance of technique over style, or precision over creativity. It has been challenging to merge the communities I come from and enter, let alone earn respect from those in them. Somehow I have been able to stay true to what feels right to me, exercising cost-benefit analysis in decisions, staying curious, and exuding good energy in new situations! It takes daily maintenance to uphold these personal goals that are applicable every day. Ultimately when you find your people, do stay loyal and true to your word, because relationships are worth investing in other than your own agenda. I am still on the journey of discovering what more I can do professionally, alongside the career I have already built as a working artist. I have always enjoyed connecting people and building communities, so that may be in the books.

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.
Since I’ve been living in the Northeast area the past few years, I’ve grown to love several places in and surrounding neighborhoods. Some go-to delicious eats and ambience off the top of my head: Proof Bakery, Black Elephant Coffee, Botanica, Loreto, Osen Izakaya, Dunsmoor, Bar Henry, Apotheke, The Goldline, The Roost, Dama, Mirate, the list goes on! The LACMA and Geffen Contemporary are great museums, along with the private galleries in the Chinatown art district. In terms of sights, a lovely walk around the Silverlake reservoir or Elysian park is always a favorite, a visit to Descanso Gardens, or a hike in Beachwood Canyon. A drive to Malibu is always a must for a visitor.  I am actually a new homeowner and moving to Jefferson Park in two weeks, so I am looking forward to exploring the West Adams neighborhood!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people that I acknowledge for my artistic opportunities thus far, and I’ll name a few: Violinist Bing Wang, concertmaster of the L.A. Philharmonic, for seeing potential in me as a kid and taking me as her student to pursue violin as a career. Hip hop DJ, turntablist, and professor DJ Rob Swift, for seeing my unique musical perspective, and giving me my first DJ gig in NYC playing alongside Tony Tone from the legendary Cold Crush Brothers. Producer and composer, Adrian Younge, for welcoming me into his musical family when I came back to Los Angeles. Professor, producer, and DJ King Britt for encouraging me to see my potential in improvisation. All of my inspiring friends and teachers at Juilliard who I will love and keep in touch with forever. The colleagues and friends along the way who have seen my heart and generously invited me into their work families. The communities I’ve formed doing service and volunteer work. My parents, who are the realest of the real.

Website: www.stephanieyuviolin.com

Instagram: www.instagram/hustlekat

Image Credits
Photos by Alexander Gay, James Bianchi

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