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A NEW PIANO COMPETITION! | Ep. 33: This is the Legend of Aljosa Jurinic
Apr 25, 2026
Unknown duration
He's a CLIBURN FINALIST and HONENS PRIZE WINNER!!! | Ep. 32: This is the Legend Of Carter Johnson
Apr 3, 2026
Unknown duration
THE YOUNGEST CHOPIN PRIZE WINNER in History! | Ep. 31: This is the Legend of Tony Yike Yang
Mar 1, 2026
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SHE ALMOST GAVE UP PIANO FOR MED SCHOOL! | Ep. 30: This is the Legend Of Anastasia Vorotnaya
Jan 31, 2026
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VICTORIA WONG Returns from the 2025 CHOPIN COMPETITION | Ep. 29 This is the Legend Of Victoria Wong
Jan 2, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/25/26 |  A NEW PIANO COMPETITION! | Ep. 33: This is the Legend of Aljosa Jurinic | He was a finalist at the Olympics of Piano, the International Chopin Competition. He also won the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition. He also won major awards at the Leeds International Piano Competition and the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition. He is also a Visiting Artist at MIT. And now, he is Artistic Director of a new Grand Slam of piano, the Toronto International Piano Competition, which takes place on August 14 to 16, 2026. Join Amos Vang as he features the career of Aljosa Jurinic. Amos and Aljosa discuss Aljosa’s Road to Warsaw, development as a pianist, and the most important lessons that Aljosa has learned from each milestone in his career. More importantly, Amos and Aljosa discuss the Toronto International Piano Competition, including its competition structure, prizes, career potential, and repertoire. Amos Vang and “This is the Legend Of…” are proud to be collaborating with Aljosa and with the Toronto International Piano Competition in promoting and featuring the world’s best pianists in Canada’s largest city. Aljosa’s Instagram and YouTube: @aljosapiano Aljosa’s website: https://www.aljosa-jurinic.com/ Toronto International Piano Competition: https://www.torontopiano.org/ Toronto International Piano Competition’s Instagram: @torontopianocompTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music by Amos Vang-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction2:50 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue piano?4:01 – What was the music culture in Croatia during Aljosa Jurinic’s early days?6:17 – What were the most impactful early musical influences in Aljosa Jurinic’s life?7:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned in his early life?10:47 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music at the University of Zagreb?13:06 – How was the transition from pre-university to post-university in terms of Aljosa Jurinic’s music studies?14:29 – What were the greatest challenges that Aljosa Jurinic faced learning music during his university years?17:26 – Canada, especially Ontario, has faced devastating funding cuts to music education in public school systems. This affects music culture in Canada.19:46 – Building an audience20:57 – Almost everyone in Poland knows who Chopin is!21:34 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete in the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition?24:58 – Aljosa Jurinic WON the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition!27:49 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to embark on the Road to Warsaw?37:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic leaned from the International Chopin Competition?43:21 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete at the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition? What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned from these competitions?49:31 – What is musicality to Aljosa Jurinic?53:07 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Aljosa Jurinic?55:54 – TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION, why Toronto?1:03:00 – How strong is Toronto’s potential for the growth of a classical music audience?1:10:18 – How does the Alink-Argerich Foundation support the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:12:16 – COMPETITION STRUCTURE1:14:25 – Why does Fryderyk Chopin have a special designation at the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:15:24 – JURY1:20:15 – What makes the Toronto International Piano Competition unique from other major piano competitions?1:23:23 – CATEGORIES1:25:24 – What if there is a tie at the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:30:45 – Where can people watch, listen to, and follow the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:32:11 – Aljosa Jurinic addresses his fans and gives advice on the pursuit of a classical piano career! | — | ||||||
| 4/3/26 |  He's a CLIBURN FINALIST and HONENS PRIZE WINNER!!! | Ep. 32: This is the Legend Of Carter Johnson | In 2025, hecompeted in 3 Grand Slams of piano.In May of2025, he won 1st prize at the Dublin International PianoCompetition.5 days afterwinning Dublin, he competed and became a finalist at the Cliburn InternationalPiano Competition by June of 2025. Heaccomplished this despite suffering from an injured right arm!4 monthslater, in October of 2025, he won 2nd prize at the HonensInternational Piano Competition.Meet CarterJohnson. From his roots in CampbellRiver, British Columbia, Canada, to his journey on numerous competitions overthe years, Carter has become a legendary pianist. Join Amos Vang and Carter Johnson as theydiscuss Carter’s preparation and mindset for the world’s most renowned pianocompetitions, the essence of musicality, the importance of adapting tounforeseen circumstances, and the importance of music and arts education inCanadian youth. Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other musicby Amos Vang #honens#cliburn #carterjohnson #neurorecital #verbier #chopincompetition#classicfm #neuroscience #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:19 – What inspired Carter Johnson to pursue piano? How has the music culture on Vancouver Islandinfluenced Carter Johnson?4:08 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from Shelley Roberts, his teacher?5:30 – The importance of teaching and learning9:15 – Carter Johnson studied music at the University ofBritish Columbia15:46 – Carter Johnson on Schubert and his lieder16:45 – Music requires well-roundedness18:40 – Carter Johnson pursued a Master of Music atJuilliard and a Doctor of Musical Arts at Yale School of Music19:52 – Carter Johnson performed, and STILL PERFORMS, withAngela Hewitt!!!24:15 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from Angela Hewitt?29:13 – What inspired Carter Johnson to compete in theDublin International Piano Competition?30:41 – Carter Johnson’s road to winning 1stprize at the 2025 Dublin International Piano Competition35:39 – The 2025 Van Cliburn Competition took place just 5DAYS AFTER CARTER JOHNSON WON DUBLIN!38:13 – Carter Johnson explains the importance ofmaintaining a good COMPETITION MINDSET!46:41 – The situation that pianists face with competitionsand careers50:19 – Carter Johnson’s competed at the Cliburn…WITH ANINJURED ARM??!!!57:54 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from the Cliburn?1:02:12 – What inspired Carter Johnson to “Hone In onHonens”?1:04:13 – To what extent had Carter Johnson’s experiences atDublin and at the Cliburn influence his strategy at Honens?1:05:59 – Carter Johnson’s approach to “Fracture” by ImanHabibi1:11:06 – Carter Johnson’s journey through Honens1:14:54 – What is musicality to Carter Johnson?1:17:04 – What is the Complete Artist to Carter Johnson?1:18:45 – What are the greatest misconceptions that CarterJohnson has heard from other people about classical music?1:24:14 – What’s the point of learning music?1:31:39 – What are the most rewarding aspects of CarterJohnson’s career? What are the mostimportant lessons that Carter Johnson has learned from his career?1:33:18 – What’s next for Carter Johnson?1:33:53 – Carter Johnson’s advice for aspiring classicalmusicians, and remarks towards his fans! | — | ||||||
| 3/1/26 |  THE YOUNGEST CHOPIN PRIZE WINNER in History! | Ep. 31: This is the Legend of Tony Yike Yang | At age 16, he became a major prize winner at the Olympics ofPiano, the International Chopin Competition. To this day, he holds the record as the youngest prize winner in the competition’s history. The great Martha Argerich enjoyed his performance and sawhim as one of the next great pianists. This is the Legend of Tony Yike Yang. On Fryderyk Chopin’s birthday, join Amos Vang and Tony YikeYang as the two pianists reminisce on Tony’s successful Road to Warsaw, hisexperience meeting Martha Argerich, the lessons that he has learned from hiscareer, and the most important lessons that he has learned in his career.Tony’s website: https://www.tonyyikeyang.com/Tony’s Instagram: @tonyyikeyang Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Golden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music by Amos Vang and by Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin. -- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction4:30 – What inspired Tony Yike Yang to pursue piano?6:27 – Who and what were Tony Yike Yang’s musicalinfluences?11:07 – Tony Yike Yang studied at the Taylor Academy and at Juilliard Pre-College15:25 – What are the similarities and differences betweenTaylor Academy and Juilliard Pre-College?20:57 – Music and sports have one thing in common: community and marquee events are important!26:24 – Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony are the most importantmusical focal points for Tony Yike Yang!30:55 – What inspired Tony Yike Yang to embark on the Roadto Warsaw?34:10 – The 2010 International Chopin Competition was aHIGHLY impressive year! It set the tonefor future International Chopin Competitions!38:44 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2014 Canadian ChopinCompetition!50:56 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2015 International ChopinCompetition!55:04 – What was Tony Yike Yang feeling and thinking at the2015 International Chopin Competition?55:52 – Will Martha Argerich still like me?1:02:48 – Tony Yike Yang became the YOUNGEST PRIZE WINNER inthe history of the International Chopin Competition!1:07:10 – Dang Thai Son did not think Tony Yike Yang wouldmake the finals! Tony proved him wrong!1:08:23 – What were Tony Yike Yang’s favorite moments at the2015 International Chopin Competition? Spoiler: FOOD!1:16:31 – Tony Yike Yang performed at Zelazowa Wola,Chopin’s birthplace!1:17:54 – What were the most important lessons that TonyYike Yang learned from the 2015 International Chopin Competition?1:25:58 – Chopin and post-20201:29:23 – Tony Yike Yang competed at the Cliburn Competition1:31:49 – The scrutiny at the Chopin Competition isextremely high!1:40:02 – What is musicality to Tony Yike Yang?1:47:09 – Tony Yike Yang and Amos Vang explain the greatestmisconceptions that he has experienced about classical music and piano?1:47:39 – Amos Vang explains the misconceptions thatclassical music face in Canada, from a personal and wider societal standpoint1:52:26 – Tony Yike Yang explains the situation thatclassical music faces in the world, from a personal and wider societalstandpoint1:55:08 – Many people prefer to numb themselves with loud,boisterous music rather than confront their feelings in an honest way2:05:37 – What are the most rewarding things and mostimportant lessons that Tony Yike Yang has experienced and learned in hiscareer?2:10:01 – Tony Yike Yang addresses his fans and gives somecareer advice for classical music!#chopin#chopincompetition#chopin2025 #cliburn #cliburncompetition#vancliburn#tonyyikeyang #piano #janinafialkowska #virtuosity #classicalmusic | — | ||||||
| 1/31/26 |  SHE ALMOST GAVE UP PIANO FOR MED SCHOOL! | Ep. 30: This is the Legend Of Anastasia Vorotnaya | She almost gave up a piano performing career for med school. Instead, she persisted and won 3rd prize at the Canadian Grand Slam of piano, the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition. This is the Legend of Anastasia Vorotnaya. From studying at the Moscow State Conservatory at age 8, to winning her first international piano competition at age 15, to moving to Madrid at age 17 with no initial fluency of Spanish, Anastasia honed in on her pianistic performance in a life and career of triumphs and trials. Join Amos Vang and Anastasia Vorotnaya as Anastasia “Hones In on Honens”, describes musicality, and the most important lessons that she has learned in her career.Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auGolden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au#honens #honens2025 #neurorecital #verbier #chopincompetition #anastasiavorotnaya #classicfm #neuroscience #cliburn #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction4:20 – What inspired Anastasia Vorotnaya to pursue piano?7:36 – At age 8, Anastasia Vorotnaya and her mom moved to Moscow to study at the Moscow State Conservatory14:14 – What were the most important lessons that Anastasia Vorotnaya learned from all of her teachers at the Moscow State Conservatory?19:35 – The difficult balance between tradition and creativity in competitions23:29 – Is it possible to have a Chopin Urtext?26:12 – At age 15, Anastasia Vorotnaya won the Concertino Praga Competition. What was that experience like for her?28:40 – Anastasia Vorotnaya actually stopped performing for a while in order to focus on her studies!29:20 – At age 17, Anastasia Vorotnaya moved to Madrid, Spain, on her own, without speaking one word of English or Spanish. How did she survive?31:51 – Anastasia Vorotnaya completed her Bachelor and Master of Music in Spain. What were the most important lessons that she learned from her university years?33:09 – Sound projection in piano performance in large concert halls36:55 – Mozart and Bach are fundamental composers to learn in the classical music tradition!44:45 – Anastasia Vorotnaya studied under Stanislav Ioudenitch in the U.S. What was that experience like for her?48:42 – Anastasia Vorotnaya’s experience performing with Sir Andras Schiff50:30 – Anastasia Vorotnaya almost gave up on music to go to med school?!1:02:47 – Social media and classical pianists1:06:23 –What inspired Anastasia Vorotnaya to Hone In on Honens?1:13:41 – How did Anastasia Vorotnaya learn and interpret “Fracture”?1:20:04 – What is musicality to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:21:51 – What is the Complete Artist to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:24:18 – What are the greatest misconceptions of music that other people have expressed to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:32:21 – What are the most rewarding things and most important lessons that Anastasia Vorotnaya has experienced and learned in her career?1:35:03 – What’s next for Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:35:39 – What advice does Anastasia Vorotnaya have for those who want to pursue a career in classical music?1:37:45 – Anastasia Vorotnaya addresses her fans! | — | ||||||
| 1/2/26 |  VICTORIA WONG Returns from the 2025 CHOPIN COMPETITION | Ep. 29 This is the Legend Of Victoria Wong | She just competed at the 2025 International Chopin Competition.She is also one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Classical Musicians.Meet Victoria Wong, a Canadian classical pianist that is also a prize winner of the Canadian Chopin Competition, Mozarteum Festival Competition, Lancaster International Piano Competition, and Canadian Music Competition.Amos Vang and Victoria Wong discuss Victoria’s Road to Warsaw, both in 2021 and in 2025, as well as her preparation for the Olympics of Piano and the evolution of her musicality. Victoria also describes her life story, including her early experiences learning piano with Dan Zhaoyi in China and with the Taylor Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, at Juilliard, and elsewhere.#chopin #chopinpiano #chopin2025 #piano #chopincompetition #argerich #victoriawong #canadianchopinsociety #royalconservatoryofmusic #rcm #chopininstitute #classicalmusicTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auGolden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by Amos Vang-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:47 – What were Victoria Wong’s early musical influences?4:48 – At age 5, Victoria Wong gave her concerto debut!6:09 – Victoria Wong studied with Dan Zhaoyi9:28 – Victoria Wong studied at the Taylor Academy in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)15:46 – Victoria likes music theory back in the day. Amos hated music theory back in the day!18:53 – What inspired Victoria Wong to pursue a Bachelor of Music at the New England Conservatory?21:27 – Free time in high school vs. university vs. law school25:45 – What inspired Victoria Wong to pursue a Master of Music at Juilliard?26:32 – What are the most important lessons that Victoria Wong learned from her experiences at the Taylor Academy, the NEC, and Juilliard?33:18 – In Canada and the U.S., music has never really enjoyed the same appeal that sports have enjoyed.35:24 – In China, EVERYONE learns music! This is totally opposite from Canada and the U.S.36:41 – Victoria Wong only spent ONE MONTH PREPARING for the 2014 Canadian Chopin Competition!40:00 – Victoria Wong’s journey in the Canadian Chopin Competition41:19 – Victoria Wong’s piano choices at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions45:52 – Victoria Wong PULLED HER BACK at the 2025 International Chopin Competition?!49:12 – New York Steinways vs. Hamburg Steinways51:46 – Amos Vang and Victoria Wong have both performed Liszt’s Dante Sonata in the past!52:28 – Victoria Wong recalls her experiences at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions55:56 – How did Victoria Wong’s strategy change between the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions?1:03:24 – The Fryderyk Chopin Institute has done an excellent job marketing the International Chopin Competition to the world!1:05:46 – What were Victoria’s favorite moments at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions?1:10:54 – Tim Hortons formerly had Chicken Soup in a bread bowl!1:12:45 – Juilliard used to have a Starbucks, and Victoria Wong shares a life hack with great food at Starbucks?!1:15:02 – Victoria Wong visited Zelazowa Wola in the past!1:19:29 – What are the greatest misconceptions that Victoria Wong has seen about classical music?1:22:23 – What is musicality to Victoria Wong?1:24:49 – Who is Chopin to Victoria Wong? Hint: Chopin hits differently1:33:13 – What are the most important lessons that Victoria Wong learned from the International Chopin Competition?1:36:15 – How can Canada improve its classical music culture?1:40:01 – Victoria gives advice on pursuing a classical music career, and Victoria speaks to her fans! | — | ||||||
| 12/5/25 |  THE DEEPEST VOICE IN THE WORLD?! | Ep. 28 This is the Legend of Eric Hollaway | He first sang in his church’s children choir. Then, he sang in the U.S. Army. Then he was discovered for having the deepesthuman vocal range, the basso profondo. He did not even have his first singing lesson until he was 25 years old! Oktavists are vocalists who sing in the basso profondo range. Oktavists are EXTREMELY rare: at one point, there were only 12 in the entire world! He is one of them. Meet Eric Hollaway, aka thatbassvoice, an oktavist, YouTuber with over 726,000 subscribers, and voice actor whose has been featured in numerous films and video games, including the award winning “DOOM Eternal”. Join Amos Vang and Eric Hollaway as they share Eric’s legendary adventures, from serving in the U.S. Army as a nuclear warhead technician while entertaining and singing in an a cappella group for German audiences, to returning back to the U.S. and being discovered by two music professors for his voice, to learning and training in the different operatic styles and traditions, and to working with the legendary Mick Gordon on providing his voice to “DOOM Eternal’s” unforgettable music. Amos and Ericalso discuss musicality, the unique characteristics of the basso profondo range, and the most important lessons that Eric has learned from his career. Eric’s Instagram: @thatbassvoiceEric’s YouTube channel:@thatbassvoice Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction4:00 – What inspired Eric Hollaway to pursue music?8:30 – Eric Hollaway explains his childhood musicalcommunity environment!10:31 – What were the most important lessons that EricHollaway learned from his childhood musical community environment?12:51 – When did Eric Hollaway discover that he could reachthe male bass vocal range?17:13 – Eric Hollaway served in the U.S. Army and was partof an Army a cappella group!25:07 – Eric Hollaway studied opera in college, competed inbass voice competitions, and received a voice scholarship immediately!26:58 – Up until age 25, Eric Hollaway NEVER HAD A VOICELESSON BEFORE!33:35 – Imperfections are beautiful!34:04 – How did Eric Hollaway discover that he can reach thebasso profondo range?37:44 – “I found my people”38:59 – Discovering oktavism and Glenn Miller helped EricHollaway discover his true identity in voice!40:08 – “Eric, come up!”42:55 – How rare is oktavism and the basso profondo range?45:52 – What inspired Eric Hollaway to pursue voice actingand singing full time, and to create thatbassvoice?48:08 – Doom Eternal: Eric Hollaway was in it! How did Eric Hollaway work with Mick Gordon?55:22 – Eric Hollaway sings that song from Doom Eternal!56:55 – What is musicality to Eric Hollaway?1:06:17 – If Eric Hollaway was immersed heavily into theworld of professional music making in his childhood, then he would not haveenjoyed music as much as he does now.1:11:25 – What is the basso profondo? Is it even possible to train to become anoktavist?1:19:31 – What are the greatest misconceptions of singingand oktavism that Eric Hollaway has seen?1:21:24 – One must have vocal training and healthy lifestylehabits, no matter how talented they are!1:22:55 – Chocolate and bass voices: good or bad?!1:27:02 – Luciano Pavarotti influenced Eric Hollaway!1:28:59 – Mario Lanza, Placido Domingo, and Thomas Hampson1:32:42 – What are the most important lessons that EricHollaway has learned from his career?1:34:50 – What are the most rewarding things that EricHollaway has experienced from his career? What advice would he give to people who want to pursue this career? | — | ||||||
| 11/21/25 |  ATHENA DENG RETURNS from the CHOPIN Competition! Ep. 27 | She just competed at the Olympics of Piano, the 2025 International Chopin Competition. Athena Deng returns to the show to share her experiences!Join Amos Vang and Athena Deng as they revisit Athena’s Road to Warsaw, from her performance at the preliminaries to her 1st round performance, as well as her preparation and mindset going into and after the Competition. Athena also shares the most important lessons that she learned from this experience, and the unique emotions she experienced from performing on the greatest stage of piano.See Athena's first appearance on the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttpWfb1L1Z8 #chopin #chopinpiano #chopin2025 #piano #chopincompetition #argerich #athenadeng #dengsisters #canadianchopinsociety #royalconservatoryofmusic #rcm #chopininstitute #classicalmusic-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction0:59 – Athena Deng describes her experience at the International Chopin Competition!1:56 – Athena Deng at the Preliminaries3:27 – How did Athena Deng prepare for the main International Chopin Competition?6:03 – Athena Deng balanced a Masters of Music at the New England Conservatory with her preparation for the International Chopin Competition!11:30 – Pianists have to learn and master massive amounts of music in a matter of weeks or even days!15:02 – Athena Deng tried to use muscle memory to compete in the 1st round, which did not ultimately work out for her.18:38 – Athena Deng talks about her experiences hearing different interpretations of the same Chopin repertoire at the Competition!23:57 – Athena Deng felt like she was floating during her performance of Chopin’s Nocturne in G Major at the International Chopin Competition!29:33 – Why did Athena Deng select the Yamaha for the prelims and the Kawai for the main rounds of the International Chopin Competition?35:08 – The Shigeru Kawai piano was the 2nd most popular piano at the 2025 International Chopin Competition!37:22 – Shigeru Kawai pianos are DIFFERENT from the K. Kawai pianos! It is good to practice on heavier pianos.40:06 – What was Athena Deng thinking and feeling when she stepped onto the world stage and performed her 1st round programme at the International Chopin Competition?45:27 – The competitors were very friendly and excited to be at the Chopin Competition!46:51 – What were Athena Deng’s favorite experiences in Warsaw?48:30 – Athena Deng thinks that the Warsaw Philharmonia felt SMALLER than Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada!54:23 – Pianists must know how to project to the back of the concert hall in their performances!57:43 – Athena Deng visited Zelazowa Wola, Chopin’s birthplace!59:51 – Dang Thai Son grew up listening to Chopin in the outdoors!1:02:54 – Nature and wilderness focused CDs in the 2000s and early 2010s1:05:28 – What were the most important lessons that Athena Deng has learned from the International Chopin Competition?1:07:28 – How has the International Chopin Competition changed or help evolve Athena Deng’s understanding of Fryderyk Chopin?1:11:14 – Justice Rosalie Abella took inspiration from Fryderyk Chopin?!1:16:35 – Sports announcing and piano have A LOT in common. Amos Vang, who’s done both, explains why!1:18:12 – Will Athena Deng compete in the 2030 International Chopin Competition?1:22:39 – Athena Deng addresses her fans! | — | ||||||
| 11/7/25 |  He's a JUNO AWARD NOMINEE! | Ep. 26: This is the Legend Of Iman Habibi | He almost got kicked out of school in Iran for playing piano. Then, he and his family fled Iran because of war. After years of tribulation and difficulties, he would become a world-renowned, award-winning composer, with a JUNO Award nomination in 2024.This is the legend of Iman Habibi, an Iranian-Canadian composer who served as the commissioned composer for the recently concluded 2025 Honens International Piano Competition. Even though Honens has concluded, it’s still a great time to hone in on Iman’s career and newest composition, “Fracture”. Join Amos Vang and Iman Habibi as they discuss the unique experiences and challenges of musicianship during Iman’s early life in Iran, the most important lessons that Iman learned from all of his composition teachers, the direct connections between “Fracture”, current events, and the metacrisis, and the importance of musicality in defining culture.#honens #honens2025 #neurorecital #verbier #chopincompetition #imanhabibi #classicfm #neuroscience #cliburn #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusicIman’s website: https://www.imanhabibi.com/Iman’s Instagram: @iman.habibi.composerTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music composed by Amos Vang, with a special excerpt of “Fracture” by Iman Habibi-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:27 – What inspired Iman Habibi to pursue music?8:31 – Tehran, Iran was very influential to Iman Habibi’s early artistic pursuits, in polarising ways that showed the power of music10:00 – Iman Habibi was almost expelled from school for playing piano in Iran!12:47 – In Iran, classical music was viewed ENTIRELY DIFFERENTLY compared to Canada, the U.S., and the West!15:43 – Iman Habibi describes the most important lessons that he learned from his early teachers!22:15 – Performing and sharing music with an audience is a unique experience.24:01 – Chopin’s music really speaks to people, especially in times of conflict.27:00 – What inspired Iman Habibi to become a composer?28:53 – What were the most important lessons that Iman Habibi learned from his composition teachers?38:07 – Every performer and composer has their own signature: they imbue a bit of themselves into their performances and compositions.39:17 – Chopin, Iman, and every other composer is a product of their own time. Authenticity is important in music!40:49 – What is a commissioned composition?42:07 – What is Iman Habibi’s planning process for each commissioned composition?46:23 – What is “Fracture”, Iman Habibi’s commissioned composition for the 2025 Honens International Competition?49:59 – Iman mentions the Metacrisis, which is coincidentally related to some of Amos’s work at Stanford University’s MAHB!53:57 – There is a cultural problem that is preventing humanity from understanding the problems that affect it.59:30 – How should pianists approach “Fracture” by Iman Habibi?1:05:55 – What is musicality to Iman Habibi?1:10:31 – What is the Complete Artist to Iman Habibi?1:17:23 – Music appreciation is losing ground in Canada and the U.S. This is isolating people.1:28:21 – How can people enjoy music competitions such as Honens?1:31:33 – What is Iman Habibi’s advice to those who want to pursue a career in music? | — | ||||||
| 10/15/25 |  Meet the CEO and President of Honens | Ep. 25: This is the Legend Of Amanda Smith | The semi-finals of the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition begins tomorrow, and as we hone in on the competition, it's time to get the organizational and professional perspectives on the success of Honens!Meet Amanda Smith, CEO and President of Honens! Join Amos Vang as he features Amanda's career and pathway to Honens, along with behind-the-scenes organizational elements of the competition and festival, Honens's unique perspective on musicality and artistry, and the ways in which you can enjoy Honens this year!Honens's competition website: https://www.honens.com/competition/ Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music composed by: Amos Vang -- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction2:41 – What inspired Amanda Smith to pursue music?4:18 – Amanda did her music degree at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.5:40 – Amanda took marketing courses, which would inspire her to pursue an MBA with a specialization in charitable organizations at Trinity Western University.7:09 – How has Amanda’s music training prepared her for the transition into the corporate world and on her perspective of business management?11:38 – People have many professional interests in the present day!13:30 – How have each of Amanda’s professional chapters prepared her for Honens?14:45 – What inspired Amanda to Hone In on Honens? I.e. What inspired her to join Honens?17:53 – Trust and healthy communities have been sadly lacking in much of the world today.19:30 – A day in the life of Honens CEO and President Amanda Smith 21:58 – How has the pandemic changed Honens?25:20 – What is musicality to Amanda Smith?26:12 – How does Honens market musicality?27:35 – Storytelling is important. Amos Vang himself tackles the issue of storytelling in many different areas of work.29:51 – In music, particularly piano, storytelling is shown through the pianist’s hands.32:22 – Ryan Wang: a pianist is at their best when they are at their most vulnerable.33:27 – How does Amanda support Jon Kimura Parker’s artistic vision at Honens?38:34 – Amos Vang calls Honens the Canadian Grand Slam of international piano competitions!40:54 – How does the Honens organisation differ between a competition year and a non-competition year?43:21 – Amanda: the largest gaps in Canadian musical education are largely cultural.45:55 – Dang Thai Son’s lifelong devotion to music is legendary.47:32 – Canadians are to hockey as the Chinese are to piano!49:10 – What is Honens’s “Keys for Newcomers” programme?51:42 – What is Honens’s “Artistic Development” programme? What makes this programme unique from other competitions’ programmes?54:00 – What are the similarities and differences in managing the post-Honens early careers of Illia Ovcharenko and Nicolas Namoradze?59:27 – What are the most rewarding things that Amanda has experienced at Honens?1:01:23 – How can people watch and enjoy Honens?1:03:40 – What is Amanda’s advice to former musicians who have decided to change career paths?#honens #honens2025 #illiaovcharenko #nicolasnamoradze #neurorecital #jonkimuraparker #virtuosity #cliburn #chopin #chopin2025 | — | ||||||
| 9/26/25 |  HE SHOWED HIS BRAIN ON MUSIC | Ep. 24 - This is the Legend Of Nicolas Namoradze | The finest instrument is the mind. He showed exactly why, by recording his own brain on music! Meet Nicolas Namoradze (known as “Nico” to friends and colleagues), a pianist, award-winning neuroscientist, and 1st prize winner of the 2018 Honens International Piano Competition. In this episode of This is the Legend Of…, Amos features Nicolas’s unique career, pathway to Honens, and fascinating research after Honens. His most recent research, the “Neurorecital”, records the neural activity of a musician’s brain while the musician is performing music. Nicolas just debuted the “Neurorecital” at the world-renowned Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and by using the University of California – San Francisco’s revolutionary “Glass Brain” technology, Nicolas has broken new ground into musical performance’s musical, neurological, and psychological effects on both the performer and the audience! Looking forward to featuring Nicolas’s research updates in the future! Nicolas's Instagram: @nicolasnamoradze Nicolas’s website – https://nicolasnamoradze.com/ #honens#honens2025 #chopin #chopincompetition#nicolasnamoradze#cliburn #cliburncompetition#vancliburn #piano #janinafialkowska #fialkowska #carnegie #classicalmusicTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction4:16 – What inspired Nicolas Namoradze to pursue piano?6:58 – What is the music culture like in Tbilisi andBudapest?11:01 – North America has growing centres of rich pianoculture.11:25 – Nicolas made his solo debut at 10 yearsold and his orchestral debut at 12 years old!12:49 – How have the music cultures of Budapest, Vienna, andFlorence shaped Nicolas Namoradze’s musical style and philosophy?16:27 – It is important to consider both musical ANDnon-musical influences on a composer’s style!20:48 – Chinese music has A LOT of rich cultural references! Amos Vang explains the Cantonese and Mandarinlinguistic influences on music!24:04 – There are parallels between musicianship and acting! Tony Leung Chiu-wai is a great example of that.27:37 – Nicolas brings a scientific perspectiveinto piano performance!28:44 – Music teachers would benefit greatly fromunderstanding the scientific perspectives behind piano performance.35:47 – Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do can be applied into musicalperformance!36:55 – Is there a kinesiological explanation for good armmovement in piano performance?42:23 – Michael Phelps spent more time on mental practicethan on swimming! Could musicians learnfrom that?51:34 – What inspired Nicolas Namoradze to compete inHonens?57:48 – Honens has a unique scoring system.1:02:29 – Music does NOT operate in a vacuum. There must be dialogue and adaptation.1:05:41 – Justice Rosalie Abella, a former judge of theSupreme Court of Canada, was a performing pianist.1:14:52 – Music and law have one thing in common: theirstudents learn about THEORY and THEME!1:15:10 – Justice Rosalie Abella actually read Amos Vang’sfinal law school paper about her!1:15:47 – What is musicality to Nicolas Namoradze?1:19:32 – Can there be objectivity/universality in beauty(and by extension, in musicality)?1:24:28 – What is the Neurorecital? What are the most important research findingsthat Nicolas Namoradze has found in the Neurorecital?1:28:16 – How can the Neurorecital contribute to our current knowledge of effective musical performance?1:30:31 – Amos Vang describes his own experience withobserving musical therapy in senior patients with dementia.1:34:52 – The gradual decrease of music education in Canada’spublic education systems1:40:01 – Look at the brain on music! There are NO BAD SIDE EFFECTS!1:40:55 – What is the Complete Artist to Nicolas?1:42:36 – How do new audience members watch and enjoy Honens?1:45:48 – What are the most rewarding aspects of NicolasNamoradze’s career? #honens #honens2025 | — | ||||||
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| 8/29/25 |  At age 21, he won HONENS | Ep. 23: This is the Legend of Illia Ovcharenko | In 2022, at age 21, he became the first Ukrainian pianist and the youngest person to win Honens, aka Canada’s Grand Slam of international piano competitions, in the most cathartic year of recent history.But it almost did not happen.This is the Legend of Illia Ovcharenko.Join Amos Vang as he features the legendary path of Illia Ovcharenko’s piano career, Ukraine’s rich music traditions, Ukraine’s strong educational foundations in music and culture, Illia’s path to winning the Busoni International Piano Competition and the Honens International Piano Competition, and the impact that all of Illia’s cultural influences had on him.Illia’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCU7_grgiVXQeNV4C8aNG2EQ Illia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illiaovcharenko_pianist/?hl=enTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:18 – What inspired Illia Ovcharenko to pursue piano?6:56 – What were Illia Ovcharenko’s early musical stylistic influences?10:13 – What were the greatest challenges that Illia Ovcharenko faced early on in his life?13:15 – What is the curriculum at the Kyiv Lysenko State Music Lyceum?16:52 – Unlike Canada, Ukraine builds a strong musical foundation into its educational programs, regardless of whether one chooses to pursue a musical career.18:36 – Ukraine has central music academies across the country. Canada has hockey academies across the country.20:33 – Practising…so important, but it can get monotonous…21:05 – This is what Illia Ovcharenko does BEFORE he starts practising.21:48 – Illia Ovcharenko’s practise strategy is very community-oriented, which is different from many pianists’ individualistic practising routine.25:19 – Music is supposed to be FUN! Life experience defines the musical performance.27:10 – Illia Ovcharenko made his performing debut at 12 years old!29:01 – Arie Vardi is Illia’s teacher, mentor, and inspiration.37:10 – What was Illia Ovcharenko’s preparation experiences for the 2021 Busoni International Piano Competition?42:12 – What inspired Illia Ovcharenko to HONE IN ON HONENS?!45:36 – Illia Ovcharenko ALMOST DID NOT COMPETE IN HONENS!!!!!47:33 – Illia Ovcharenko went from almost not making the competition to WINNING HONENS, in the most CATHARTIC YEAR OF 2022!!!!!53:16 – Amos Vang and Illia Ovcharenko discuss Illia’s Honens performance of Liszt’s Sonata in B minor.59:03 – Amos Vang describes his experience performing Liszt’s Dante Sonata.1:00:28 – How do Illia’s performative work and educational work with Honens influence each other?1:03:13 – What is musicality to Illia Ovcharenko?1:06:49 – What is the Complete Artist to Illia Ovcharenko?1:10:52 – How do new audiences watch and enjoy piano competitions such as Honens?1:15:23 – Amos Vang calls Honens the “Canadian Grand Slam of International Piano Competitions”!!!!!1:16:44 – What are the greatest misconceptions that Illia Ovcharenko has seen about classical music?1:20:05 – Did O Canada copy Mozart? #honens #chopin #chopincompetition #illiaovcharenko#cliburn#cliburncompetition#vancliburn#piano#janinafialkowska#fialkowska#carnegie #classicalmusic | — | ||||||
| 8/2/25 |  He won the Leeds International Piano Competition - Ep. 22: This is the Legend Of Jon Kimura Parker | In 1984, he was the first Canadian to win the LeedsInternational Piano Competition. That same year, he performed for Queen Elizabeth II.8 years later, he judged the inaugural edition of the Honens International Piano Competition, Canada’s Grand Slam of international piano competitions.Meet Jon Kimura Parker (known as “Jackie” to friends new and old), an award-winning pianist who also serves as the Artistic Director of Honens.In this episode, Jackie and Amos discuss Jackie’s trailblazing career throughout Juilliard, throughout the 1984 Leeds Competition, Britain’s Grand Slam of international piano competitions, and beyond.2025 is also a special year, as the newest edition of the Honens International Piano Competition will take place in October. Jackie explains the philosophy of the “Complete Artist” at Honens, as well as the innovations that have come out of such a philosophy in judging, in competition organisation, and in music education.Jackie’s website: https://www.jonkimuraparker.com/Honens’ website: https://www.honens.com/Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang- CHAPTERS -0:00 – Introduction3:28 – HONE IN ON HONENS!3:43 – What inspired Jon Kimura Parker to pursue piano?6:31 – What were the most profound lessons that Jon KimuraParker learned from each of his piano teachers?17:19 – When did Jon Kimura Parker feel that he was readyfor Leeds?21:08 – How did Jon Kimura Parker prepare for Leeds?24:12 – Many musicians still work regularly with coacheseven after going professional. Pianists, on the other hand, do not really do this.25:29 – A pianist’s mindset tends to be very independent andeven isolated.29:01 – Jon Kimura Parker describes every single round ofthe Leeds International Piano Competition!33:41 – Jon Kimura Parker actually had a MEMORY SLIP at Leeds!35:15 – Jon Kimura Parker performed the Barber Sonata atLeeds, with a BROKEN SOSTENUTO PEDAL!38:35 – Jon Kimura Parker performed the Brahms PianoConcerto No. 1 at the finals of Leeds.41:13 – Jon Kimura Parker won 1st prize, but something HILARIOUS happened!44:10 – Queen Elizabeth II commissioned Jon Kimura Parker toperform for her. This was her reaction.47:08 – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were genuinelykind, caring people.49:16 – Amos performed Liszt’s Dante Sonata in thepast. This is how he handled the difficult technical parts.50:23 – Liszt, Beethoven, and Romantic era composers hadSIGNIFICANTLY lighter pianos. Modern pianos are very heavy.53:17 – Heavier pianos actually give good experience forpianists by training up the stability of their technique.55:23 – Jon Kimura Parker appeared on a children’s TV show,“Under the Umbrella Tree”.1:02:16 – Amos Vang uses sports analogies and terminologiesto explain classical music competitions and festivals.1:03:33 – Jon Kimura Parker has the difficult job of deciding who wins Honens.1:04:05 – What is musicality to Jon Kimura Parker?1:07:39 – Who is Esther Honens? This is her legend.1:13:46 – A day in the life of Honens Artistic Director JonKimura Parker1:17:02 – In 2018, one of the jury members cancelled!1:20:00 – Curation of Honens content during the pandemic1:22:34 – Managing Nicolas Namoradze’s and Illia Ovcharenko’s careers during the pandemic1:24:14 – What is the Complete Artist to Jon Kimura Parker?1:34:27 – Nicolas Namoradze got a degree in neuroscienceduring the pandemic.1:36:09 – How does Honens define the CompleteArtist?1:42:37 – Honens’s approach challenges many misconceptionsof classical music1:43:04 – How can new audiences watch and enjoy Honens andother piano competitions?1:44:50 – Jon Kimura Parker explains Honens’s judgingprocess in FULL DETAIL.1:50:57 – Canada has the potential to become a majorclassical music centre on the world stage!1:54:52 – What is Jon Kimura Parker’s advice to those whowant to pursue a career in classical music, especially piano? #honens #honens2025 | — | ||||||
| 6/27/25 |  At age 5, he debuted at CARNEGIE HALL - Ep 21 - This is the Legend Of Ryan Wang | At age 5,he made his professional piano performing debut at Carnegie Hall. Yes, 5 YEARS OLD. At age 11, he performed for a Canadian prime minister. At age 14, he won his first international piano competition. By the age of 16, he won at least 5 internationalpiano competitions, and was the youngest winner of Le Prix Cortot in world history. How old is he right now? 17 YEARS OLD! Not only that, but he will represent Canada on his Road to Warsaw, at the Olympics of piano, the International ChopinCompetition in Warsaw, Poland on October 2025. Simultaneously, he will begin his academic pursuits at HarvardUniversity and New England Conservatory, still at 17 YEARS OLD. Join Amos Vang as he features the living legend of Ryan Wang, virtuoso pianist and 2024 BBC Young Musician of theYear, on his meteoric rise from prodigy to seasoned performer. Ryan discusses his inspirations of becoming a pianist, his deep connection with musicality, his experiences at winningcompetitions such as the 2025 Canadian Chopin Competition, and the unbelievable potential that he holds as a pianist. If you thought you knew legendary, wait till you tune into this story!Ryan's Instagram - @ryanwangpianistRyan's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ryanwangpianist8416Ryan's website: https://ryanwangpiano.com/Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang, Fryderyk Chopin, andtheir respective composers-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction5:37 – Reminiscing on the Canadian Chopin Competition6:59 – What inspired Ryan Wang to pursue piano?8:46 – Learning a musical instrument is very common in Asianfamilies.9:43 – Ryan Wang’s first piano teachers shaped his musicaland even life skill foundations.12:36 – What does Ryan Wang remember about his Carnegie Hall debut at 5 YEARS OLD?!14:18 – How does Ryan prepare for piano competitions?16:20 – Are the Chopin and Cliburn Competitions MOREDIFFICULT than the Olympics?!20:24 – How does Ryan Wang adapt to different pianos andconcert venues?24:05 – Ryan Wang did not actually know what the CanadianChopin Competition concert venue looked like!26:08 – Ryan Wang performed alongside Bruce Liu and Yunchan Lim in 2023.28:10 – What sparked Ryan's Road to Warsaw?30:50 – Ryan Wang won the International YOUTH ChopinCompetition. What were the most important lessons that he learned from there?32:05 – A pianist is at their best when they are performingtheir heart out.32:52 – Ryan Wang takes us through his adventure at the2025 Canadian Chopin Competition.34:33 – Amos Vang CRIED when seeing Ryan Wang’s performance of Chopin’s Concerto in E Minor at the 2025 Canadian Chopin Competition!37:41 – Chopin’s Concerto in E Minor, especially the 2ndmovement, is beautiful. Here’s why.38:54 – What is musicality to Ryan Wang?40:07 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Ryan Wang?42:17 – Musicians are humans, too. People tend to focus too much on the celebrity aspect of artists.44:28 – What surprised Ryan Wang the most about Chopin?49:59 – What are some fun, unconventional methods of pianopractice that Ryan Wang uses?51:42 – How does Ryan Wang master the art of bel cantosinging in piano performance?54:53 – Pausing in music has the same emphatic effect aspausing in speech, especially when it comes to lawyering or announcing sports.55:49 – To what extent does Ryan Wang balance his ownmusical philosophy with the composer’s musical philosophy?57:54 – How does Ryan Wang develop and evolve his musicalstyle? (Hint: there’s a bit of Descartes influence here!)1:00:51 – What are the largest misconceptions that Ryan Wanghas personally seen about classical music?1:11:15 – What are the most rewarding things that Ryan Wanghas experienced in his career?1:13:03 – What is Ryan Wang’s mindset and game plan goinginto the main rounds of the 2025 International Chopin Competition?#chopin #chopin2025 | — | ||||||
| 6/1/25 |  Arthur Rubinstein called Janina Fialkowska a "BORN CHOPIN INTERPRETER" | Ep. 20 - This is the Legend Of JANINA FIALKOWSKA | If you are a longtime classical music fan, then you know who she is.The late great Arthur Rubinstein described her as a “born Chopin interpreter”. In fact, Rubinstein was her mentor. She is described as “one of the Grandes Dames of piano playing”. She is also a Juno Award winner.She is an alumna of The Juilliard School.She won third prize at the 1974 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition.She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.She was the Chair of the jury for the 2023 Junior Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (aka the U.S. Open of piano). Later in 2025, she will be a jury member of the Honens International Piano Competition in Canada.In this episode, Amos Vang and Janina Fialkowska discuss the evolution of her pianistic performance, the Gorodnitzki technique, her experiences at the Arthur Rubinstein International Competition, the importance of Rubinstein’s mentorship, and the impact of musicality. Janina’s contributions to the performance of Chopin have inspired many pianists around the world.You can follow Janina on her website: https://www.fialkowska.com/ Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang and Fryderyk Chopin0:00 – Introduction3:08 – Janina Fialkowska’s first musical inspirations4:36 – Yvonne Hubert, Janina Fialkowska’s 2nd teacher6:51 – Bach's influence is profound in classical andjazz piano performance. I.e. OscarPeterson.8:06 – Yvonne Lefebure, Janina Fialkowska’s 3rdpiano teacher8:34 – A pianist must be careful to prevent theatrics fromdistracting the audience from the actual musical performance.9:58 – What was the Juilliard application process like, forJanina?13:00 – How influential was Sascha Gorodnitzki to Janina's style?16:03 – What is the Gorodnitzki piano technique?18:01 – What were the greatest challenges that JaninaFialkowska faced at Juilliard? How didshe overcome these challenges?20:41 – Many pianists are introverts.23:02 – Introverts like Amos and Janina are very comfortablewith their own company and with being alone.25:58 – Janina Fialkowska ALMOST WENT TO LAW SCHOOL! 28:56 – This is Janina Fialkowska’s journey to the 1974Arthur Rubinstein International Competition35:29 – Liszt Piano Sonata and Chopin’s Concerto in E minorare LEGENDARY pieces of music.39:22 – Arthur Rubinstein was Janina Fialkowska’s mentor. What was it like to study with Arthur Rubinstein?42:35 – Arthur Rubinstein never practiced! He even stopped Janina Fialkowska from practicing!45:29 – What is musicality to Janina Fialkowska?49:58 – Yunchan Lim, Bruce Liu, the Cliburn Competition, andthe Chopin Competition53:09 – Janina Fialkowska believes that Canada is #1 in theworld for piano!57:21 – To ethnic Chinese people such as Amos Vang, piano istheir hockey59:23 – Practicing at the Cliburn Competition and for anyother music competition is basically training for an athletic competition forsome (NOT all) pianists.1:02:23 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Janina Fialkowska?1:05:09 – The polonaise is an official item of the UNESCOIntangible Cultural Heritage Lists.1:06:50 – Why are the Chopin Competition and the CliburnCompetition so revered among the general public?1:10:30 – How does Janina Fialkowska express bel canto inher performance?1:15:47 – In piano competitions, some pianists crash andburn at the finals because they don’t have experience performing with orchestras.1:16:38 – Polish National Edition vs. PaderewskiEdition. Can there be a genuine Urtextfor Chopin?1:19:52 – What are the common misconceptions that JaninaFialkowska has seen?1:20:54 – Despite the achievements of Canadian pianists, theaverage Canadian is not musically literate. Here’s why.1:23:18 – Sports and music have a lot in common. Can this commonality be a solution toimproving classical music appreciation?1:26:34 – What are the most important lessons that Janina has learned in her career?#chopin #chopincompetition#chopin2025 | — | ||||||
| 5/4/25 |  She judged the Canadian Chopin Competition -- Ep. 19 - This is the Legend of Magdalena Baczewska | "Columbia University professor by day, musical sorceress by night"! - ConcertoNet Meet Magdalena Baczewska, a Polish virtuoso pianist, Director of the joint Columbia-Juilliard Music Performance Program, and judge of the 2025 Canadian Chopin Competition! Born in Katowice, Poland, Magdalena grew up with a deep passion for piano performance from a young age. Join Amos Vang as he and Magdalena discuss a plethora oftopics, such Magdalena's career, the importance of musicality, the profound effect of Fryderyk Chopin's music on the world, and the importance of the Canadian Chopin Competition and the International Chopin Competition. You can follow Magdalena on Instagram: @maguchannyc Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang and Fryderyk Chopin-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:01 – Reminiscing on the Canadian Chopin Competition3:47 – What inspired Magdalena Baczewska to learn piano?8:23 – A pianist can deeply learn music just by listening toit.10:15 – What were Magdalena Baczewska’s musical influences?11:30 – Most Canadians and Americans do NOT focus on thedevelopment of classical music appreciation at a young age.14:11 – To ethnic Chinese people such as Amos Vang, piano istheir pastime!16:47 – 40 million Chinese children learn piano on any givenday.18:21 – Skip 1 day of practice = you notice it.18:37 – Music enforces structure, order, and discipline.19:02 – In Ontario, music education is in crisis. Here’s why.20:21 – In the U.S., funding for libraries, culture, and thearts are usually the first things that gets cut.21:51 – People were fascinated by the talent and skill shownat the 2025 Canadian Chopin Competition!24:06 – Sports and music competitions have A LOT incommon. This is how Amos Vang connectsthese two worlds together.25:21 – The Canadian Chopin Competition sounded like theOlympics, according to Magdalena Baczewska!26:47 – As both a pianist and a sports announcer, Amos Vangsees direct parallels between sports and music.30:27 – How has Magdalena Baczewska’s musical style evolved?35:11 – Bel canto singing in piano performance35:55 – Yunchan Lim is one of the fewpianists in history by performing all of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes in one sitting!37:19 – Wilde Jagd = the Wild Chase.39:01 – Ivo Pogorelic vs. Yunchan Lim in their performancesof the Wilde Jagd. Pogorelic is SCARY!!!!!40:37 – Chopin’s Polonaise in A Flat Major Op. 61 has A RICHMUSICALITY BASE.44:52 – What are Magdalena Baczewska’s tasks as the Directorof the Columbia-Juilliard Music Performance Program?49:59 – Non-musical perspectives can greatly influence amusician’s musicality53:09 – Justice Rosalie Abella was a classical pianist. You can see her pianism in her judgmentwriting.55:03 – What is musicality to Magdalena Baczewska?58:24 – Music is not just playing random notes, just as howin hockey, a team does not just randomly shoot on goal.1:02:05 – Why is Fryderyk Chopin’s music so profound topeople around the world?1:05:10 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Magdalena Baczewska?1:10:57 – Musicians have the ability to express, understand,and appreciate the emotional spectrum because of their musical training.1:12:42 – Can Chopin’s music be an effective copingmechanism for the world’s loneliness epidemic?1:14:18 – Chopin’s music can evoke strong emotionalresponses in audiences, musicians or otherwise!1:18:49 – Music = expression of humanity.1:23:15 – Many people have NOT had the opportunity toexplore the emotional spectrum to the extent that classical music explores it.1:25:07 – Chopin has mastered the composition of thepolonaise!1:25:53 – “Pan Tadeusz” features a modern polonaise!1:26:50 – Poland was wiped off the map until 1918. This was why Chopin was so passionate about his Polish side.1:28:44 – What are the most important lessons and rewardingthings that Magdalena Baczewska has learned and experienced in her career?#chopin #chopin2025 | — | ||||||
| 3/29/25 |  At 19 years old, she won the CBC National Radio Competition: Ep. 18 - This is the Legend of Jane Coop | At 19 years old, she won the CBC National Radio Competition.She has performed at the world’s most renowned concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Bolshoi. She is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia. She is a 3-time Juno Award nominee. She is a jury member of the Canadian Chopin Competition and the Junior Van Cliburn International Competition (for context, if the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw is Wimbledon/the Olympics, then the Van Cliburn is the U.S. Open). She is a crucial checkpoint on the Road to Warsaw. Join Amos Vang as he features the virtuosic career of pianist Jane Coop, CM OBC. In this episode, Jane and Amos discuss the sheer amount of practice and skill required to even compete at the national and international levels of classical piano performance (6 to 9 hours a day, for pianists as young as 9 years old!), the beauty of Fryderyk Chopin’s music, andthe difficult job that Jane has as a judge of the world’s top piano competitions. Jane and Amos also discusstheir own respective connections to piano performance, the importance of meditating on musical repertoire, and musicality itself. Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auOther music composed by: Amos Vang and Fryderyk Chopin-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:08 – Reminiscing on the Sixth Canadian Chopin Competition3:42 – What inspired Jane Coop to pursue piano?5:24 – What were Jane Coop’s early music influences?9:25 – At 19, Jane Coop won 1st prize at the CBCNational Radio Competition. What was itlike for her to win that prize?11:00 – What is it like to perform at Carnegie Hall, WigmoreHall, and the Bolshoi?12:15 – Most classical music listeners do NOT focus on thecelebrity. Rather, they focus on the performance’s quality itself.16:20 – More Canadians and Americans are appreciatingclassical music, especially Chopin!17:47 – How does Jane Coop judge the Cliburn, the Honens,and the Canadian Chopin Competition?20:25 – Young Chinese pianists practice A LOT – 6 hours aday! Even then, it’s NOT ENOUGH!23:36 – Choosing the top 3 of the Canadian ChopinCompetition was extremely difficult!24:22 – The final round of the 2025 International ChopinCompetition has a new requirement: play the Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat Major Op. 61 along a Chopin concerto!24:46 – Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat Major says a lot more musically than his concerti!28:16 – What is musicality?30:41 – Modern grand pianos (especially modern concert grandpianos) are VERY different from Chopin’s Pleyel pianos.32:41 – Who is Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin to Jane Coop?36:08 – The Chopin Competition = Wimbledon, and the VanCliburn = U.S. Open!37:55 – The jury of the International Chopin Competition hasan EXTREMELY DIFFICULT JOB!39:00 – Jane Coop owns a Hamburg Steinway piano. What is the difference between a New York Steinway and a Hamburg Steinway?40:20 – At the 2021 International Chopin Competition, eachcompetitor only had 15 minutes to try out all 5 pianos.42:37 – In what ways has Chopin surprised Jane Coop?45:37 – Will it ever be possible to have a true Urtext forChopin?49:15 – How does Jane Coop practice piano?52:08 – The finest instrument is the mind!54:48 – How does Jane Coop balance her musical philosophyand Chopin’s musical philosophy in her performances?58:53 – How has Jane Coop’s music style evolved over herentire performing career?1:00:46 – In musical performance, show, don’t tell!1:01:43 – How does Jane Coop cooperate with different musicensembles in performance?1:07:14 – How to watch or listen to the International ChopinCompetition?1:11:57 – Canada has a misconception of classical music asan elitist genre.1:21:52 – What are the most rewarding aspects of Jane Coop’scareer? What are the most importantlessons that Jane Coop has learned?#chopin #chopincompetition#chopin2025 | — | ||||||
| 3/1/25 |  At 11 years old, she made her major piano performing debut - Ep 17: This is the Legend Of Athena Deng | At 11 years old, she performed her first major performancewith an orchestra.At 12 years old, she won her first international competition.At 22 years old, she won 2nd prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition.And later this year in 2025, Athena Deng will be competing for the greatest piano prize of all at the International Chopin Competition.Join Amos Vang on the first miniseries episode of “The Road to Warsaw” as he features the legend of Athena Deng. Amos and Athena discuss in great detail Athena’s career, achievements and experiences (including those at the 2025Canadian Chopin Competition), as well as the intricacies of musicality and excellent piano performance. Amos andAthena also discuss the legacy of Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin and the impact of Chopin’s music on the world, along with the importance of the International Chopin Competition.-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:03 – What inspired Athena Deng to pursue piano?4:10 – Piano is the hockey equivalent for ethnic Chinesepeople like Amos Vang and Athena Deng5:48 – What were the early influences on Athena Deng’s styleof playing piano?7:15 – Athena Deng is a major fan of the great MarthaArgerich!8:07 – What were Athena Deng’s favorite memories with herearly years as a young pianist?9:18 – Athena Deng explains the ideal hand position forplaying piano.10:44 – What were the greatest challenges that Athena Dengfaced early on?14:35 – Similar to sports such as hockey, rewatching one’sown piano performances is highly important for pianists to fix their flaws.17:07 – At 11 years old, Athena Deng made her majororchestral performing debut. What was itlike for her?21:17 – Martha Argerich’s performance of Prokofiev’s PianoConcerto No. 3 influenced Athena Deng’s performance.23:29 – What were the most important lessons that AthenaDeng learned from her orchestral debut?27:00 – At 12 years old, Athena Deng won her firstinternational competition. How does sheprepare for these competitions?33:31 – How do pianists such as Athena Deng and Amos Vangadapt to different pianos?37:48 – What does Athena Deng look for in a piano?39:35 – What is it like to study with Dang Thai Son?41:29 – Dang Thai Son42:53 – Athena Deng’s performance of Chopin’s “FuneralMarch”46:11 – What sparked Athena Deng to embark on the Road toWarsaw?48:11 – What was Athena Deng’s mindset going into theCanadian Chopin Competition?50:17 – What was Athena Deng’s feelings during each round ofthe Canadian Chopin Competition?53:20 – Athena Deng describes the experience of winning 2ndprize at the Canadian Chopin Competition54:13 – What is Athena Deng’s mindset going into theInternational Chopin Competition?57:00 – Considering Chopin’s letters in musical performance59:35 - Krzysztof Jablonski1:00:26 – Understanding Chopin’s intentions is veryimportant yet difficult.1:01:45 – Paderewski edition vs. Ekier edition/PolishNational Edition. Which one is the most accurate and faithful to Chopin?1:02:50 – Who is Chopin to Athena Deng?1:06:32 – What is musicality to Athena Deng?1:07:31 – Why is Chopin’s music so profound and impactful topeople?1:10:29 – Practice is important!1:14:56 – How to do bel canto singing while playing Chopin’smusic?1:23:12 – Athena Deng played on period instruments! How did they sound, and how are they different from modern pianos?1:24:57 – People’s sense of hearing has diminished in the 21stcentury.1:32:55 – How does Athena Deng develop her musical style?1:35:15 – Piano performance is like method acting. Amos Vanguses the example of Martin Scorsese.1:38:35 – What are the worst misconceptions about classicalmusic? How can we get more people torelate with classical music?1:49:10 – What are the most rewarding aspects of AthenaDeng’s career?1:50:58 – What advice would Athena Deng give to those whowant to pursue a career in classical music, especially piano?1:52:28 – Outro#chopin #chopincompetition#chopin2025 #classicalmusic#piano#janinafialkowska#rubinstein | — | ||||||
| 2/1/25 |  An Award-Winning Composer Describes His Career: Ep. 16 - Aaron Tsang (Part 2) | An excellent composer must have exceptional understanding of the audience’s preferences. In part 2 of the Legend of Aaron Tsang, Amos Vang and Aaron Tsang discuss Aaron’s decision to go to the University of Toronto for music composition, the evolution of Aaron’s musical style, the similarities between composers and lawyers, and the importance of mentorship in the music profession and the legal profession. You may also be surprised at the number of similarities between composers and lawyers. Aaron also discusses the importance of predicting and understanding an audience’s musical tastes, and Amos and Aaron discuss concrete examples such as Mick Gordon’s “Doom: 2016” and “Doom Eternal” soundtracks, as well as Christopher Tin’s “Baba Yetu” and “Sogno di Volare” for Civilization IV and VI respectively. Intro and Outro music: Jubilant Dawn (University of Toronto Graduation Fanfare), by Aaron Tsang Any other referenced music belongs to their respective owners. --- CHAPTERS --- 0:00 – Recap and Introduction 0:41 – This is why the University of Toronto’s Music program is a top choice for music training. 5:13 – Musical style is defined by the rhythm. 7:39 – Mychael Danna, the Oscar Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning composer for the film “Life of Pi”, is an alumnus of the University of Toronto’s Music Composition Program!!!!! 8:07 – Christopher Tin’s Grammy Award-winning “Baba Yetu” is legendary. Here is why. 9:24 – Christopher Tin displays a mastery of different languages in his compositions. 10:26 – How has Aaron’s musical style evolved over his career? 12:04 – Aaron had to build his entire computer setup to create his own music. 12:46 – One must be sensitive and capacious to areas of knowledge that are entirely foreign to one’s own knowledge base. 16:47 – Proper musical recording technique can even lead to a Juno Award win!!!!! 19:15 – Just like musicians, experienced lawyers can find themselves struggling to explain legal concepts to junior lawyers. 19:52 – Law school does NOT teach you how to practice law. Rather, it only teaches you how to think like a lawyer (and even then, it is not very good at doing that). 21:07 – Mentors are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in the legal profession. 23:44 – A composer can learn A LOT about unfamiliar instrumentation through trial and error. 25:25– Law school does one thing well: the work is voluminous. There is A LOT of work in law school. Legal writing is an important skill!!!!! 27:38 – Talking to clients (as a lawyer) is a difficult skill. Explaining difficult legal concepts to clients in plain English is important. 28:55 – Anything that is compelling will translate well across the board. This is true in music, law, and most other industries. 31:38 – Composers, lawyers, and sports broadcasters make their jobs look easy. This can be a blessing and a curse. 32:32 – Mick Gordon had an extremely tight timeline to compose the soundtracks for the “Doom” series. 33:08 – The OSTs for the Doom series display Mick Gordon’s musical compositional prowess. 34:40 – Good music composition is not easy. 36:25 – An excellent composer can understand the listener and can imply the listener’s expectations. 41:20 – Composers and lawyers have one common question to answer: who is the audience of their written work? 43:00 – Martha Argerich is one of the greatest pianists of all time. Here’s why. 48:40 – Back in Amos’s piano performing days, Amos also experienced a similar form of quick, instinctual learning to the type that other performing pianists have. 50:05 – Amos applies his musical training in his sports announcing. Here’s how. 55:48 – What are the similarities and differences between Aaron’s approach to film music composing and to video game music composing? | — | ||||||
| 12/27/24 |  At 14, his music was featured at international film festivals - Ep 15: This is the Legend Of a Composer - Aaron Tsang (Part 1) | At 14 years old, his music and films were featured at international film festivals. He’s composed for world-renowned video game and entertainment publishers such as Capcom, DreamWorks Pictures, and Konami. In fact, the intro and outro music that you will hear on this episode was written by Aaron Tsang, specifically for all graduation ceremonies at the University of Toronto. This is the Legend Of… Aaron Tsang, award-winning composer and music professor at the University of Toronto! Join Amos Vang and Aaron Tsang in their discussion on Aaron’s career, musical style, musical influences, and musical analysis. This is the first part of a multi-part conversation, so stay tuned for future parts. On this part, Amos and Aaron discuss: - Aaron’s early classical musical influences and beginnings - Aaron’s experiences as a young teenager making music and films at international film festivals - The question of whether music can truly be objective - Musical analysis on iconic themes such as the Super Smash Bros. Melee Menu 1 Theme, and why they hit so differently - The influence of the famous Chinese story, “Journey to the West”, and other wuxia stories on Aaron’s musical style You can follow Aaron on Instagram: @aarontsang.music You can visit Aaron’s website: www.aarontsang.com -- CHAPTERS – 0:00 – Introduction 2:36 – What inspired Aaron Tsang to pursue music? 4:50 – What instruments did Aaron play? 6:53 – How do pianists apply bel canto singing to piano performance? 7:44 – How did these instruments influence Aaron’s musical thinking? 8:57 – How do pianists perform within the gaps of the notes? 11:34 – The same pianist can perform the same piece of music differently across different concerts. How? 13:00 – Tempo rubato in classical music 17:33 – Public advocacy as a lawyer is very similar to musical performance as a pianist. How? 19:34 – Public advocacy, musical performance, and sports announcing have A LOT in common. How? 20:03 – Aaron’s early non-musical influences on his musical style 23:07 – Video games REALLY influenced Aaron’s musical style. Why? 25:20 – Wuxia REALLY influenced Aaron’s musical style. Why? 28:09 – Journey to the West is one of the most influential stories in the world (probably even more than Shakespearean stories) 28:54 – Black Myth Wukong reused a part of the main theme from the 1986 TV adaptation of Journey to the West! 29:47 – Westerners, especially Canadians and Americans, are rediscovering the beauty of wuxia films such as “Hero” (2001)! 31:04 – Super Smash Bros. Melee’s menu theme is ICONIC!!!!! 31:57 – In his professorship, Aaron argues that music is not subjective. How? 33:04 – Why is Super Smash Bros. Melee’s menu theme so iconic? Here’s Aaron and Amos’s musical analysis and discussion on that. 40:40 – Melee’s Opening Theme is ALSO ICONIC. Here’s why. 42:57 – Nintendo is the master of nostalgia, especially when it comes to musical composition and counterpoint. 45:08 – At 14 years old, Aaron’s work was featured at international film festivals. This is how he storyboards his music and films. 52:03 – Effective communication between the composer and the producer is important. 57:21 – Similar to music, effective communication between a lawyer and a client is important. 1:02:19 – Outro. Stay tuned for the next part!!!!! Intro and Outro Music by: Aaron Tsang All other referenced music featured in this episode are attributed to their respective composers. | — | ||||||
| 11/30/24 |  The Future of Work has Changed... Ep. 14 - This is the Legend Of Post-Professionalism, with Dr. Ka Tat Tsang | Gone are the days when people had one job. Gone are the days when professions such as lawyers and doctors enjoyed a high level of respect and recognition. Gone are the days when it was believed that a person could only be an expert in one area. Today, it is becoming increasingly important to have expertise in not just one profession, but MANY professions. Ironically, this is a return to the Renaissance’s idea of multifaceted expertise. All of this is thanks to post-professionalism, which is the largestsocial shift since industrialization and arguably since the Western world’s Enlightenment. Dr. Ka Tat Tsang, psychotherapist, social work expert, and inventor of the iconic Strategies and Skills and Learning Development (SSLD) system, returns to This is the Legend Of… to discuss the legend of post-professionalism and the ways in which it has affected the world. In this episode, Dr. Tsang and Amos Vang discuss the following topics: 0:00 – Introduction 0:42 – What is post-professionalism? 2:00 – How did we get to post-professionalism? 3:27 – 1945 vs. 1960 vs. 2024 in post-secondary education levels 5:22 – Post-professionalism was sorta inevitable, because of the mass professionalization of everyone 6:05 – Today, lawyers and doctors no longer enjoy the same degree of respect compared to decades ago 7:55 – Attitudes towards the legal profession have substantially changed 9:55 – Certain parts of the legal practice have lost some of its meaningful/fulfilling aspects 12:55 – Mental illnesses resulting from professional life, including the legal and medical professions 13:55 – Institutional control and surveillance 14:21 – Dunbar’s Number and the erosion of trust between people 17:55 – Today, people struggle to build meaningful connections with each other, unlike 150 years ago 19:05 – Chinese cultural concept of “guan xi” (關係) 19:54 – The relationship between therapist and client is MORE IMPORTANT than the method! 20:10 – Why therapy FAILS Asian-Americans and Asians 22:10 – Strong relationships are important in ANY profession 22:37 – Cheap oil and cheap energy may have significantly harmed human relationships 26:00 – The future may be a return to the small rural communities, NOT technology: Amos’s argument at Stanford University’s MAHB 27:00 – The individual vs. the tribe 30:25 – The professional paradigm is NOT SUSTAINABLE ANYMORE! 31:15 – All high-income countries in the West and in Asia have extremely low fertility rates that are below the replacement rate 32:00 – University professorship opportunities are decreasing, too 32:30 – The market must be reformulated into a post-professional model 33:56 – Sustainability vs. growth 40:30 – How can you adapt to the post-professional world? 43:05 – Humans face challenges that require expertise in more than one profession 44:00 – The labour market has shifted towards a post-professional, multidisciplinary world 45:05 – AI and the post-professional world 49:00 – Amos’s post-professional career – music and sports have A LOT in common 50:03 – Amos’s post-professional project – can string theory, metaphysics, and epistemology answer the Questions of Infinity and Impossibility? 54:50 – Professionals such as lawyers and doctors were expected to follow certain social scripts. Not anymore today. 55:25 – People are freer to move around in the post-professional world 1:02:04 – What does it mean to be human? 1:05:12 – Concluding Remarks You can subscribe to Dr. Tsang’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tsangkatat Music by: Amos Vang Website: https://www.thisisthelegendof.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-is-the-legend-of/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisthelegendof/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisistheLegendOf | — | ||||||
| 10/25/24 |  Episode 13: This is the Legend Of a Legal Polymath - Dr. Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich | Lawyer. Professor. Contestant on CBC’s “Canada’s Smartest Person”. Former election candidate for Ottawa City Council and for the Law Society of Ontario. Legal polymath. This is the Legend Of… Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich. Join Amos Vang as he features the trailblazing career of Dr. Bromwich. The two lawyers discuss the inspiration for Dr. Bromwich’s versatile, diverse career across the law and non-law worlds, as well as the most important lessons that Dr. Bromwich learned over the years. Professor Bromwich will also be a regular guest on "This is the Legend Of..."! Amos and Dr. Bromwich also discuss other topics, such as the importance of genuine cultural humility, the limits of Canadian cultural thinking, nihilism vs. absurdism vs. existentialism, and other esoteric philosophical discussions. Music by: Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ And by: Amos Vang Website: https://www.thisisthelegendof.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-is-the-legend-of/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisthelegendof/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisistheLegendOf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4f6wBCVf4bHOkf6Gxb4kb7 Amazon: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0CHXVZDSY?qid=1694649289&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=yW4V4kLXM2THpddw&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=4DEBBGB872W8C893VWEB&pageLoadId=IMnSONEv6qRwv8k9&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-is-the-legend-of-123106291/ | — | ||||||
| 9/28/24 | Episode 12: Introversion, The Limits of Therapy, and Cultural Concerns | It's difficult enough to get to therapy. It's even more heartbreaking when you realize that no matter how hard you tried, it didn't work. And it's NOT your fault. Unfortunately, this is the reality facing many Asians and Asian-Americans. On this sobering episode, Amos Vang and Godwin Chan discuss the difficult reality of the cultural limits of therapy and the clashing of the WEIRD mindset (Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich, and Democratic) with non-WEIRD mindsets. Amos and Godwin also explain in more detail the introvert experience, as well as how extroverts can relate to introverts in a culturally extroverted Western world. DISCLAIMER: this episode does NOT aim to give any medical advice at all. Nor is it claiming that ALL therapy fails (therapy can work for some people). This episode simply shines light on an important yet socially taboo topic: that therapy is not necessarily for everyone, and that therapy must improve in order to accommodate more people. Music by: Amos Vang Website: https://www.thisisthelegendof.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-is-the-legend-of/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisthelegendof/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisistheLegendOf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4f6wBCVf4bHOkf6Gxb4kb7 Amazon: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0CHXVZDSY?qid=1694649289&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=yW4V4kLXM2THpddw&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=4DEBBGB872W8C893VWEB&pageLoadId=IMnSONEv6qRwv8k9&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-is-the-legend-of-123106291/ | — | ||||||
| 8/31/24 |  Episode 11: This is the Legend of Godwin Chan | An episode 20+ years in the making. Scientist, venture capitalist, angel investor, podcaster. This is the Legend Of Godwin Chan. Godwin will also be a regular feature on the podcast and will co-host some episodes. Amos Vang and Godwin Chan have been friends for over 20 years: since kindergarten/Grade 1! Over these decades, the two friends have had thousands of fascinating conversations about metaphysical philosophy, epistemological philosophy, cultural philosophy, classical musical philosophy, quantum physics, string theory, T-symmetry and the theoretical reversal of time and entropy, evolutionary biology, peak oil, civilizational collapse, causality, T-symmetry, and many other topics. #philosophy #startup #culture #conversation #legend Join Amos Vang as he features Godwin’s career and adventures. The conversation gets REALLY good starting at about 57:00 onwards, and it exemplifies their off-camera, off-mic conversations. Such topics include (but are not limited to): - the limitations of the schooling system, - cultural humility and understanding of Western and non-Western cultures, - introversion vs. extroversion, - Western cultural philosophy vs Chinese cultural philosophy [i.e. Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism, etc.] (and why Chinese culture tends to be a bit better at mediation than Western cultures), - Dunbar’s Number, - Free will vs predeterminism, predeterminism vs. predestination; why free will (arguably) does NOT exist, why predestination (arguably) also does NOT exist, and why predetermination (arguably) exists, - Meaning vs. no meaning, intrinsic meaning vs. the illusion of meaning, Kierkegaardian Existentialism, Camusian Absurdism, Schopenhauerian determinism, heat death of the universe, human extinction, and what that means for a human’s life. You can follow Godwin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godwinhschan/ And you can connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godwinhschan/ Music by: Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ And by Amos Vang Website: https://www.thisisthelegendof.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-is-the-legend-of/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisthelegendof/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisistheLegendOf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4f6wBCVf4bHOkf6Gxb4kb7 Amazon: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0CHXVZDSY?qid=1694649289&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=yW4V4kLXM2THpddw&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=4DEBBGB872W8C893VWEB&pageLoadId=IMnSONEv6qRwv8k9&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-is-the-legend-of-123106291/ | — | ||||||
| 7/28/24 |  Episode 10: This is the Legend of a Ring Announcer - Carlos Verde | Step aside, Michael Buffer. A new announcer has stepped into the ring of history. Join Amos Vang as he features Carlos Verde, international fight night ring announcer for United Boxing Promotions! For over 10 years, Carlos’s adventures in journalism has brought him everywhere from international level women’s hockey to university basketball, and now to boxing and MMA. Carlos’s exceptional skills in public presentation, writing, and communication have paved such a legendary pathway over these years, and he’s even announced fights on DAZN and ESPN! The two long time friends reminisce on their adventures in university and professional sports announcing, as well as the most important career lessons that they have learned from such adventures. You can follow Carlos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cverde29/ | — | ||||||
| 6/29/24 |  Episode 9: This is the Legend of a History Mythbuster - Sebastian Major | There’s mythbusting, and then there’s history mythbusting. Join Amos Vang as he interviews Sebastian Major, a history teacher and host of the award-winning podcast Our Fake History! In a similar vein to This is the Legend Of…, Sebastian focuses on telling the unknown stories of history itself: everywhere from ancient history to classical history to even the history of professional wrestling! In this episode, Amos and Sebastian also emphasize the importance of cultural humility and cultural understanding, particularly in the sense of removing a Eurocentric/Western bias when understanding non-Western cultures and non-Western histories. Amos and Sebastian also discuss the fact that not everything has to follow a Western perspective, and that something can be correct (or even more correct) and does not have to be a Western perspective. You can follow Sebastian at his podcast’s website: https://ourfakehistory.com/ You can follow Sebastian’s Instagram: @ourfakehistory You can subscribe to Sebastian’s podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ourfakehistory2211 You can follow Sebastian’s podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourfakehistory Music by: Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/ And by Amos Vang Website: https://www.thisisthelegendof.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-is-the-legend-of/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisthelegendof/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisistheLegendOf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4f6wBCVf4bHOkf6Gxb4kb7 Amazon: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0CHXVZDSY?qid=1694649289&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=yW4V4kLXM2THpddw&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=4DEBBGB872W8C893VWEB&pageLoadId=IMnSONEv6qRwv8k9&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-is-the-legend-of-123106291/ | — | ||||||
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