At age 15, classical pianist Chloe Pang has been named one of the "Top 30 Under 30" by KDFC radio in San Francisco. She has been playing for over ten years, however; she gave her first public performance at age four, a full Solo Recital at age eight, her concerto debut at age 10 with the Pro Art Symphony Orchestra, and recorded her first CD at age 12. She has performed on the Late Show with David Letterman and PBS' From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall. Her interests include math, art, poetry, French, Hitchcock films, yoga and Pilates. Mary Destri of Music in Schools Today e-interviewed Chloe.

Music in Schools Today (MuST):
How did you get your start playing music?

Chloe Pang:
I started when I was the age of four, the arts have always played a great part of my family; with my grandma as an abstract artist, and my mother, a Juilliard graduate. Being surrounded by music really inspired me to start the piano. I fell in love with the deep orchestral sounds it could create. I begged my mother for lessons. She was my teacher for my first five years.

MuST:
At age 6, you vowed to live by Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken." What inspired you most about that poem?

Chloe:
What inspired me most about that poem was the last statement, "and I, I took the one less traveled by, and THAT has made all the difference." It just hit me, I knew that I could pave my own way in the world, doing something and going somewhere where no one else has gone before, and truly loving everything I do in music. It has played such a big part in my life, knowing that my determination and genuine love for music has helped a great deal.

MuST:
Can you tell us about some of your favorite teachers or mentors?

Chloe:
The one person who has inspired me the most is my teacher, Mack McCray. I have studied with him for just about 2 years, and he has influenced me a great deal. I absolutely love my lessons with him, because he not only teaches me about the history and spirit of music, but about life. His love of music really inspires me to go beyond, to really use my imagination to help develop my own interpretations of works I study. Also, I believe that having a professional, yet lighthearted and trustworthy relationship between teacher and student, helps the student grow so much more, because they can have an emotional connection.

MuST:
You recorded your debut CD, Bach Goldberg Variations, at age 12. What was that experience like?

Chloe:
This was one of the highlights of my musical career. I fell in love with the piece after I heard Glenn Gould's recording (the earlier one) when I was about 9 years old. The sublime Aria touched my heart, and every variation had such a marvelous character to it, which made me love it! It was such an amazing experience, because I am the youngest person in history to record the Goldberg Variations, and the piece will always be special to me.

I received a lot of discouraging feedback, saying that i was "too young" to attack this piece, but what does that matter -- how young you are? It's really if you love the piece and love what you're doing that is the most important. Age shouldn't matter in whatever you do, it's if you have the passion. That's what really matters.

MuST:
Please tell us about OPUS 2, which you founded with your brother.

Chloe:
Op. 2 is a cello piano duo, brother and sister, my brother Clark and I. We actually do not perform a lot together, but when we do, I personally think it's fun! We have a normal brother-sister relationship, with the occasional fights and such, but whenever we perform together, all the little arguments just vanish! :)

We recently performed in Carnegie Hall together for the show, From the Top, Live from Carnegie Hall (PBS). It was a surreal experience, especially because I have always dreamed of performing in Carnegie Hall, since I was little. We also recently performed together on the Martha Stewart Show, to promote the From the Top, Live from Carnegie Hall show (PBS). {Watch the video footage.}

MuST:
How do you stay calm during competitions?

Chloe:
I don't do many competitions, or haven't done many recently, but whenever I do, I suppose I have a ritual I go through... :)

I usually just go about my day as if it was a regular day, so I don't overstress, or become tense. I never get nervous, that word has never been allowed in my family :) It's always "excited!!!" I try to only go through the difficult passages in my music, not to tire myself out, but just to warm up my fingers. Right before I play, I keep my hands warm, and usually say a little prayer. All in all, I always try to have the most fun and perform my heart out!

MuST:
What has been your most memorable performance(s) so far?

Chloe:
All of my performances thus far, have been just a natural evolution of my hard work, and I really truly believe that my upcoming tour of eastern Europe (Estonia, Finland, Russia, London) is going to be the most memorable, and I can't wait!!!

MuST:
In what ways has music influenced your life so far?

Chloe:
Music has played SUCH a big role in my life. It has helped my be more culturally aware of everything. There were moments in my life, where if it wasn't for music, I wouldn't have been able to get through. Under stress, not feeling my best, being broken-hearted...those were times where music really did save my life. Not even only classical music, indie/eclectic music as well! I love searching for new up and coming artists, and it's great to have access to such a wide range of great music. Music has paved the way for me, leading me to many opportunities that have greatly influenced me and given depth to my life.

MuST:
Please tell us about Hearts for the Arts, the organization that you founded and direct.

Chloe:
Hearts for the Arts is a week-long arts appreciation week at my school. I organized this to popularize and recognize every genre of the arts such as music, drama, film, and photography. Each day recognized a separate art, and there was a lunchtime activity which would involve students. There would usually be a presentation on the quad in front of the students. This all led up to the VPA (visual performing arts) talent show on the Saturday of that week, and during the week, I organized for tickets/fundraising for the show to be available during lunch. It turned out to be very successful, with lots of great feedback from faculty and the students!

MuST:
What advice would you have for other young musicians out there?

Chloe:
First and foremost, you have to love it. It is absolutely pointless to have a parent force a child into doing something that they don't have a passion or a love for. It is so so so important for the child to love what they do. My advice would be, enjoy everything you do, find something that you love, and go for it! As long as you have the heart, you can do anything.