I met Courtney Tam a few years back, at the Washington State Music Teachers Association’s honor recital. She blew me away with her performance, with incredible technique and intelligent interpretation! Courtney’s conscientiousness can be observed from her music, from her personality, and from her answers to our questions to our questions about music and mental health below…
Lauren Hughes
1. How do you think music affects your mental health? Is there a difference between when you’re playing and when you’re listening?
Music provides a way for me to express myself, and it’s an effective outlet for negative emotions. When I’m feeling unmotivated or dispirited, I often start playing one of my favorite pieces—Brahms or Chopin, usually—and focus on completely immersing myself into the music. Within seconds, my mood begins to improve. There’s something about using music in this way, as raw, personal expression without regard for an audience, that can be exhilarating.
My perspective on the music may change based on whether I’m playing or listening. When I’m playing, my goal is to express my own emotions, and I can choose how to interpret the piece. On the other hand, I may not be as relaxed as when I’m listening to a performance—when I can simply close my eyes and not have to worry about making mistakes or playing with poor quality. I’m also likely to put music on in the background for a change in atmosphere without thinking too much of it.
Olivier Suire Verley
2. How do you envision connecting with your audience and affecting people during performances?
I find that there is nothing more rewarding in piano than when a stranger approaches me and tells me not that I played well, but that my performance gave them chills, or left them in tears, or simply gave them hope. Even when the audience doesn’t directly say anything, I can tell by their body language and expressions that sharing this gift has made a difference in their life, however small that difference may be. Moments like these help me realize the true extent of the power music holds to unify people. This is what I aspire for in my performances: to communicate with and touch others in a way that eliminates the need for words.
Wonnchann
3. What habits help you maintain your mental health?
Connecting with friends is a major component when it comes to maintaining my mental health. Often, just talking with people that are meaningful to me, whether it’s venting about a stressful situation or exchanging lighthearted banter, can be a significant boost. One factor that may threaten my mental health is not managing my time well, or having too much to do. In that case, it’s important for me to prioritize and organize my schedule in a way that I have downtime left over at the end, which I can use to read and reflect on my day. Additionally, if I find that I’m stressed or I need time to sort out my thoughts, I like to go for a walk outside and use it to give my mind a break and compose myself.
Thank you so much to Courtney for answering our questions with such care and enthusiasm! Stay tuned to hear from another member of our management team next week!