A local pianist, who has had a hearing impairment since childhood, has not only earned a Doctorate in Piano Performance but has also become a frequent winner of performance awards through hard work and determination.
Chen Pingjing, 32, a renowned pianist in the local music scene, holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan. In addition to teaching at an arts college, he regularly holds masterclasses and is frequently invited to perform and speak at various events. He also serves as a judge for international piano competitions.
While Chen Pingjing appears to be like any other successful musician, he faces a significant challenge—he only has about 10% of normal hearing and relies on a hearing aid to hear.
Diagnosed with sensorineural bilateral hearing loss at a young age, Chen explained that the sensory cells in his ears were mostly damaged, leaving the remaining ones in poor condition. Sounds that are clear to most people are perceived as noise to him.
Despite this challenge, Chen’s passion for music never wavered. He began playing the piano at the age of four and fell in love with the instrument. However, his hearing impairment has been a major obstacle to overcome.
“I can hear a single note, but when multiple notes or different frequencies are played together, the hearing aid turns it into noise. But music is rarely just a single note—there are usually multiple instruments and voices. So, I rely more on my internal hearing, formed in my brain, and adjust the hearing aid to a different mode to help me hear more clearly. But when I do that, people’s speech turns into noise,” he explained.
This means that Chen must put in more effort than most people, preparing more thoroughly in advance. He also has to focus on visual cues, such as the other performers’ finger movements or breathing, to coordinate with them.
On the evening of Wednesday, November 13, Chen will perform at the third DARE Arts Festival, collaborating with other performers with disabilities. He hopes that his performance will inspire others to not limit themselves due to their own challenges.
Related Topics
- Phil Campbell Speaks Out Against Fans Using Phones Throughout Concerts
- Organ Builder ‘Honored’ to Restore the Voice of Notre Dame
- BSO Delivers a Stunning Performance with Wynton Marsalis’ Tuba Concerto and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5
