Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband is Yun Hao Jiang whom I met the year I moved to Charleston. Our kids are Leo (5 y.o.) and Sofia (3 y.o.) We are quite an international family. In addition to my background, my husband was born in China but grew up in Uruguay. As a result, there are 4 languages spoken at our home, and our kids are fluent in all of them which is pretty neat.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Before settling in Charleston, I lived in PA where I completed both undergraduate (Mansfield University of PA) and graduate (Carnegie Mellon University) degrees. In 2003 I was invited to come to the College of Charleston to be a part of their new initiative – the Artist Certificate Program which aimed to boost and expand the music department. Shortly after, I was hired as a music professor there – a position I held for 11 years. In the meantime, I obtained the Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance from the University of South Carolina and defended my dissertation on Forgotten Russian Piano Music which was later published. In addition, from the beginning of my time in Charleston I was also involved with the Charleston Academy of Music which opened in 2003 – I had fun designing programs and teaching younger students there. I became the Executive Director of the Academy in 2015. My life today consists of performing concerts, running a school, teaching music, raising two children, and generally enjoying my beautiful family in our beautiful place. I am fortunate to have remained in the music career for over 20 years now. It has allowed me to go deep into really knowing my art and profession from multiple angles. The biggest challenge for me so far was jumping into my administrative role at the Academy. I had to quickly learn things I was not taught at the conservatories. But it surely gave me another perspective of my profession, and I’m now a better educator because of this. What I love the most is seeing how learning a musical instrument ignites a spark of inspiration in students that fires confidence and creativity. It’s truly special, because out of this experience they’re getting something that is way beyond a mere skill of playing a piece.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Basil downtown, Peninsula Grill, and Charleston Creamery for good ice-cream

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
18 years

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Emily Remington

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Ukraine – to visit my 94-year-old grandmother, to smell the blossoms of linden trees, and to feel the coziness of my childhood

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Right now I only watch Disney movies and the like with my kids; I actually happen to like those too! Aside from that, I like the Madame Secretary series and The Truman Show.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be brave to design your dreams and happiness, and don’t give in to the victim within yourself. Seek compassion and tolerance towards others. Challenge the truth you know.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To go to as many countries in the world as possible

Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Five for Fighting or “Don’t Worry Be Happy” station on Pandora

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Millennium Music that used to be on the corner of Calhoun and King (now Walgreens, etc)

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Queen Elizabeth – It’s fascinating how one negotiates being a monarch, a human, a leader, and a woman/mother. Obviously, I’d take her to 82 Queen!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
When I moved to Charleston, I didn’t like it so much and thought I wouldn’t last more than 2 years here. In time, however, this place magically lured me to stay. I think it’s a combination of well-treasured history, nature, architecture, and a non-hurried pace that gives our city its unique charm. It’s also really interesting to see how Charleston is handling modern currents while trying to preserve its essence.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself in a beautiful place that I enjoy, cheering for my kids in their extracurricular activities, overseeing the success of my business, and being busy fulfilling my intentions.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
There are quite a few, actually. Among them, I punched a coyote in the face once; I used to walk tight rope during my training days in circus; I learned English working at Burger King…

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Yellow Mountains in China

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Month – April. Holiday – Christmas and New Year’s. Best single day – January 17 when I became a mom.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and my students because I must be a good role model for them.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Gardenias and Jasmine (or honeysuckle?) in May which permeates the whole downtown

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Childhood, Sanctuary, Coziness