【Love】Vol. 1｜Illuminating the World Through Music
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
by Rita Kuo
Post-editing by Njål Homeyer
Photo courtesy of Lin Yu-Ting
‘I feel truly fortunate—and that’s exactly why I work so hard, to be worthy of it.’ —— Harpist Lin Yu-Ting
Many people learn music, each musician walking a different path. Yet we are bound by a shared perseverance: the passion that carries us forward through melody and the desire to let music illuminate the world.
If you are on your own musical journey, you may find resonance in the story of harpist Lin Yu-Ting 林玉婷.
Her Beginnings and the Drive That Kept Her Going
Yu-Ting grew up in Pingtung in southern Taiwan, where she first learned the piano alongside her sister at a local music school. One day, her teacher asked, ‘Have you ever thought about applying to a specialised music class? ’Driven by her love of music, she applied to a senior high school music class and, at her teacher’s suggestion, chose the harp as her main instrument—marking the beginning of her journey with it.
After graduating from senior high school, Yu-Ting went on to study at the Music Department of Shih Chien University（實踐大學） in Taipei.
During her university years, apart from performing in orchestras both within and beyond the university, she also tried her hand at a variety of jobs—from teaching to hospitality and retail. She recalls with a smile, ‘The experiences from that time still serve me well today.’
Through her musical training, she came to realise that learning an instrument cultivated both patience and perseverance—qualities that became her greatest strengths on her musical journey.
However, pursuing a career in music was far from easy. With limited financial support from her family, she did not own her first harp until after graduating from university. Only after several years of hard work was she able to upgrade to a professional instrument.
Reflecting on whether she had ever considered giving up music, she says she has been fortunate to meet many people who supported her along the way. Without them, she might not still be playing the harp today.
‘I feel truly fortunate—and that’s exactly why I work so hard, to be worthy of it.’
Everyone encounters different challenges in life. For Yu-Ting, music opened a window—broadening her horizons and bringing her into contact with more people and stories.
Music: Her Window to the World
‘Without music, my life wouldn’t be as rich in excitement and challenge. It gives me both freedom and a sense of fulfilment.’
Yu-Ting has a soft voice and a gentle disposition, yet beneath her quiet exterior lies a soul yearning to be free. To her, music is like a pair of wings, carrying her on a journey to a wider world.
Her first time abroad was to perform with an orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, USA—an experience she still remembers vividly. Another memorable journey took her to France with the Taiwan Harp Center. There, she visited a harp workshop and witnessed the instrument’s full production process, gaining a deeper understanding of the harp.
These experiences broadened her horizons and deepened her appreciation for the richness and unexpected gifts of music.
Music has taken her to many corners of Taiwan in unexpected ways.
On one occasion, she travelled to the Matsu Islands for a performance, boarding a ferry with fellow musicians the day before. Rocked by the sea and lulled by the sound of the waves, she fell asleep on board. By the time she woke, they had arrived and headed straight to the concert venue. Looking back, that ‘commute by boat’ now feels like a particularly memorable experience.
Through these musical journeys over the years, she has come to realise that Taiwan is filled with beautiful corners, each with stories waiting to be discovered, one note at a time.
Where Love Begins: Learning Through Teaching
Music has opened up a different world for Yu-Ting, and through teaching, she has come to see that music is a language that transcends age.
While the harp may look elegant and delicate, ‘it is not as difficult to learn as it seems,’ she says. She works with students of all ages, from young children to those in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s.
She recalls one 81-year-old student in particular—full of energy, learning at a pace that even surpassed younger learners—which left her both amazed and deeply moved.
With age, some students naturally face physical limitations and may no longer be able to meet the strict expectations for hand position or posture. Yu-Ting responds with encouragement and understanding, helping them find joy and a sense of achievement in learning, and allowing music to become a gentle companion in their lives.
As it turns out, the pets in her students’ homes often become small interludes in Yu-Ting’s teaching life. Whether it’s dogs greeting her at the door, cats sitting quietly around the harp, as if listening in, or wandering in front of the camera during online lessons, these moments never fail to leave her both amused and charmed.
For her, teaching is a form of mutual learning; through her students, she has gained much life wisdom. She recalls one who had suffered a stroke and could only play with his left hand, yet continued learning the harp with great determination. His courage deeply moved her and reminded her to live fully in the present, to keep trying without fear of mistakes, and to persevere in the face of challenges.
Over time, many of the teacher-student relationships have grown into close personal bonds. Some, especially older students, look after her like family, while others have become close friends. One student even invited her to be a witness at her wedding and to perform together during the ceremony.
Together, these moments and the close bonds she has formed with her students have become some of her most heartwarming memories from teaching.
‘Every time I think of these connections, I’m struck by how rare and precious they are,’ she says.
She hopes to follow in the footsteps of the mentors who once guided her—supporting her students along the way, with love and patience, and bringing music into their lives.
Despite many performances behind her, Yu-Ting still feels nervous when she steps onto the stage. Even so, she says, ‘I hope to enjoy the moment a little more when I play.’
Just as her students have taught her: to live in the present and to savour each moment.
Everyone faces different challenges throughout life’s journey. Yet music is like a window, opening onto a wider world.
For Yu-Ting, music is not just a dream and a path she has persevered in—it is, above all, a light that illuminates her life.
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