Q & A
© 2009 Siow Lee Chin
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Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I’m a die-hard romantic!
Q: How do you chill out?
A: I love to eat! I love to experiment with different cuisines and having my friends over for dinner parties.
Q: What are your interests?
A: Fashion, following politics (fan of Obama), reading, interior design, and watching violin videos on
YouTube!
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Chocolates!
Q: What’s your obsession?
A: I love to shop, I’m a true Singaporean!
Q: What is your weakness?
A: Unfortunately for me (and those around me), being a perfectionist – and failing terribly!
Q: What is your life in Charleston like?
A: Very very busy! I’ve spent a lot of time
developing the strings program at the College
of Charleston, where I’m a full-time professor
and program director; directing the Charleston
Music Fest (of which I’m co-founder and
co-director) which is in its 3rd year in 2009;
and concertizing all over the US, South America
and Europe (mainly Italy).
Charleston is one of the oldest and most
European cities in the States. And it’s also one of the friendliest. It has incredibly beautiful landscapes,
picturesque gardens and great architecture. Its greenery reminds me of Singapore. I love to take walks
on the beaches, meet and be inspired by fellow artists, and look at beautiful old buildings in the city.
Q: What is your favorite time of the year?
A: Spring, when the flowers are blooming, and
everything is full of promise and beauty.
Recently, I started gardening. I have a little rose
garden and I love it when I can bring in fresh
flowers from my garden every morning. The
weather in Charleston is best in spring, and it’s
also when Spoleto Festival USA starts, bringing
the whole city to life with countless concerts
and shows, and millions of visitors.
Q: Did you consider doing anything else besides being a violinist?
A: When I was young, I wanted to be a ballerina, but that wouldn’t do, because dad had plans
for me to be a violinist! Then I wanted to be a cellist, I loved the sound of the cello. Again that
wouldn’t do, so I ended up with the violin, and have been with it ever since! I cannot imagine my life
without the violin.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: The many people have taken the time to discover me as a person and have helped me along the
way - my teachers, mentors, the late Presidents of Singapore Mr Ong Teng Cheong and Mr Wee
Kim Wee, and Lady McNeice, whose Loke Cheng Kim Foundation sponsored my studies in the States.
She cares so much about young people and their education, and has given opportunities to so many
students. She’s in her 90s, and continues to be an active member of the community, going to concerts,
loves gardening, has such a great sense of fun and is so interesting to be with. She inspires me by the
way she lives because she is so generous in spirit. In turn, I want to nurture the young people I come
across and to pass on this invaluable gift of kindness that I have been fortunate to experience for
myself.
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