Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Lim.
Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Penang, Malaysia, and lived behind a shophouse when I was 8; started piano lessons when I was 12 and started lessons on violin. I later switched to the viola because my teacher’s orchestra did not have any violas, so I was asked to make the switch. Viola eventually became my primary instrument. After high school, I won a scholarship to study viola at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. My professor had just completed her tenure in Hing Kong and was returning to Australia, and she asked me and my sister to follow her back to Australia to student with her at the Canberra School of Music. I spent 5 years in Australia before moving to Texas to study conducting at the University of North Texas.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been extremely difficult, musically and professionally. Our family did not have much, and we struggled to afford music lessons. A musical career was not, in my mind, a possibility; I had countless obstacles along the way, starting with my grandfather, who disapproved of my mother insisting we had music lessons. He thought music as a profession had little to no value in society. When I was lucky enough to gain admission into the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, I quickly learned that I had poor fundamentals, had not received any proper instruction, and had to start over. I spent my first year re-learning how to play the viola, with my professor only allowing me to practice scales and etudes for 6 months.
With a lot of work, persistence, and perseverance, I am where I am today despite the challenges and struggles that continue to show itself to me. A lot of the struggle is realizing, during the time I was a young student, that my aspirations may not be at all attainable because the classical music world is a privileged one. The classical music world is driven largely by whether one has access to and can attain opportunities at a young age, and that comes from having the financial means and economic advantage to be able to gain acceptance into the classical music industry.
After I graduated from the University of North Texas with a master’s degree in conducting, I saved up as much money as I could and attended as many workshops as I could afford to learn about the industry and the profession. As I learned to improve and refine my skills as a conductor, I also had to learn how to navigate the political environment of the classical music world.
In my career, I have met many professionals who have the talent to rise to the top but are hindered by the lack of resources due to their background and life circumstances. They face similar obstacles navigating the class structure of the classical music world which is why I have made it my personal mission to create an organization like the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra where musicians and artists have a place to shine and to contribute meaningfully.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main musical instrument is the viola, but I am a conductor and am the Artistic Director of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra.
What sets me apart is that I am able to achieve much with very few resources. I recognize that I am not here without all the help and support many people have given me and that, as an artist/musician, I must and cannot lose sight of how lucky I am and how lucky all of us as musicians have the ability to be musicians.
I attended a workshop many years ago, and a leading orchestra administrator gave all of us an advice that orchestras. conductors and musicians need to be have a mindset that is of “service to community.” That spoke to me and my work as a professional conductor and musician though the mission of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra by deepening, strengthening, and broadening connections with the community.
I recognize the importance of my involvement and commitment to both these orchestras, and I also recognize that pursuing and chasing a big career is not as important as taking the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra into new heights.
Today, the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra has gained a reputation as an upcoming ensemble, performing a wide variety of concerts from full symphony to chamber and free recital concert with well over 15 concerts every season. Our youth orchestra is the only youth orchestra in the region with three full symphony orchestras and performs an annual side-by-side with the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra. We also encourage our students to be service-minded musicians, where our chamber music program offers coaching and performing their recitals at assisted living homes.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Personally, I am happy when I spend time with my family and my pets at home. Professionally and musically, I am happy when I collaborate with my fellow musicians’ colleagues and members of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra. It is extremely gratifying when my fellow musicians of the McKinney Philharmonic truly believe in the mission of the organization and together working toward fulfilling the same goal. I also enjoy working with my board members and share the pride we have for the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and the organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jasonlim-conductor.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.tg.lim
- Youtube: youtube.com/JasonTGLim
