Qualifications: Master of Music (Monash University)

Certificate of Life Coaching (TLCC)

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Playing Piano Changed My Life!

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You might find it hard to believe, but as a kid, I had little interest in practicing piano.

 

I grew up in a lower-middle-class family in the bustling city of Hong Kong in the late 80s. My parents, busy making a living, were both unmusical and never intended for me to become a musician. If it weren’t for my grandma—who insisted my parents buy a piano and enrol my brother and me in lessons—I might never have touched the instrument.  She was once a high school music teacher in Indonesia in her younger years, from my childhood memories, although she often created drama and unhappiness in our family, her rare moments of joy came when she played her favourite tunes on the piano. Since I was made to practice piano without understanding the purpose or benefits, I was only practising half-heartedly and managed to reach an intermediate level. 

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When I was about 11 years old, to my devastation, my older brother first moved to Melbourne to study and I felt depressed and isolated. With the rise of the internet and video games in the 2000s, I escaped into virtual worlds of video games on my small Windows XP desktop, to the point that I would close myself in the room and stopped talking to my parents. Family friends and parents even labelled me as a kid with 'autism'. My interest in studying and practising piano waned, as it felt way more fun and addictive playing video games. I was just going through the motions to satisfy my grandma's demand on daily practice. Secretly I couldn't wait to go back into my room to continue my adventure in the fantasy world. ​

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Eventually, I moved to Melbourne at 15 to reunite with my brother, while my parents stayed in Hong Kong to support us. Fortunately my brother's piano talent saved him from the dangerous path of gang influence in his teenage years; after being expelled from the East Doncaster Secondary College for rebellious behaviours, he was accepted at Blackburn High School because of his piano background, and later earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at Monash University. My brother’s journey inspired me. I began practicing piano again—this time, free from family pressure and digital distractions (our old PC would overheat and slow down whenever I tried to play games). As I improved, I became intrinsically motivated and enjoyed the rewarding experience of performing at VCE school events. 

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My parents, however, were not supportive of my desire to study music performance. “You can never get a job playing the piano,” they told me. I took their advice and studied for a Bachelor of Business instead. After graduating, I struggled to find work in business, so I auditioned for a Master of Music at Monash University—and to my surprise, I was accepted. I graduated with distinction in 2013 and have since dedicated myself to helping students of all ages improve at piano.

 

Most importantly, I strive to help students avoid the mistakes I made—like mindless, repetitive practice without purpose. My mission is to inspire students to find their own path in life while developing their piano skills. I believe how we practice piano reflects how we approach everything in life. Nothing is more fulfilling than watching a learner grow, developing discipline, confidence, and strong character.

 

I am deeply grateful for the ability to play and teach piano, but I don’t believe in “talent.” I believe anyone can develop musical abilities with effective practice and mindful listening. At this point in my life, I feel a tremendous responsibility to overcome my own shyness and inspire others on their learning journeys. We all seek a sense of purpose, and for me, teaching piano and coaching others is one of the most meaningful things I can give in this short life.​​

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You might be curious to know if I’m still a gamer. The answer is yes—I still play video games occasionally, but now with a different purpose. Instead of just seeking for entertainment, I seek to extract wisdom from video game stories and use those insights to create meaningful content for my other YouTube channel, Be an Inspired Gamer, where I help fellow gamers on their personal journeys.

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I also continue to share my passion for piano by recording and posting my performances on Ken Pang Piano. This channel serves as a record of my progress and a way to share my musical legacy.

One of the best ways to improve—whether in the game of life or music—is to create and teach others along the way. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire and support others on their own paths to growth.

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Contact me: 0451 707 035

Email: kenpangpiano@gmail.com