Music Maker: Dr. Amy Chan, D.C.
Staying in Tune with Dr. Amy Chan
Age range: 25-30
Your favourite food: Pho
1.What was your musical experience like growing up?
Started joining musical ensembles, folk dance and drama productions in grade school as an escape from the somewhat bubble-wrapped household my parents created for me. My public schools had fantastic music programs, with exceptional music and arts educators which taught me everything I knew. I ended up hanging around people who liked to make some musical groups or sang together as a pastime. My at-home pastimes were concentrated on using the music theory I learned in public school to self-teach playing the guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, drum kit. Once graduated from high school, I continued to make musical experiences in the educational institutes I was involved in. I am also part of a band made up of high school students as a way to keep in touch and make music together.
2. What was your favourite music-making memory?
During my final two years I was privileged to be a part of an advanced chamber vocal ensemble under the direction of James Pinhorn. To celebrate a nation-wide initiative to gain musical education awareness, a day known as Music Monday, our chamber ensemble was invited to perform among other exceptional groups on CBC Radio. I will never forget the reaction we shared when we realized the group right before us performed the same piece in our repertoire set. Immediately, James Pinhorn silently informed us of a repertoire change and we all understood. We did a fantastic job in the end. When I think of this favourite memory because I remember how beautifully we sang and remembered how the best part of music making is not about putting notes together, it’s the spirit moment when every brain in the group synchronizes in on creation.
3. What was your favourite instrument and why? Do you play other instruments? What instrument would you like to learn next?
My favourite instrument is the drumkit. I’m still learning how to play it better, but I enjoy being able to manipulate the group when making music – I can build the song to a climax, I can create a soft eerie feel or I can make it sexy and spunky. The cello would be a great instrument to learn next. My husband and I really enjoy the timbre of the cello.
4. What are you doing now? What is your day job? Interests?
I guess instead of manipulating music, I like to manipulate joints and muscles. I’m a chiropractor in Scarborough and I love what I do. I have started experimenting with playing different music tracks in the background to manipulate the patient’s mood and enhance their healing. I am excited most when discussing how instrumentalist endure many physical injuries. This topic is under-addressed in the chiropractic industry and I’d like to shed some light on it.
5. What kind of music-making are you involved in?
A small rock band compiled of high school friends
A community choir sprouted from my undergraduate school
A private vocal group but together with friends from my undergraduate school
My husband and I have a couple of instruments at home where we can jam together from time to time.
6. Why is music-making important to you?
The reason it’s important to me is sometimes so magical that it’s hard to recognize. The main reason I do it is because I’ve experienced so much success in my life when I’m involved in music. Perhaps why is because it keeps you sharp and makes you really good at multi-tasking. Maybe it makes me so happy and happiness is linked to better recover from physical and mental stresses. Appreciating music exercises your ability to reflect and practicing reflection is essential for self-development and being kind to those around you. I have zero stage fright and I can thank my music experiences for that. I can also thank music for making me a better communicator and presenter. Therefore, not only do I make music because it makes me happy, but it has made me successful.
7. What would you say to a …
High school graduate
If you’ve made music before in high school, I hope you realized the magical things it has gifted you with. I want you to continue it, because I did and music has gifted me with so much happiness.
This is your time to figure things out, to be happy with yourself, make a lot of friends and make lots of music.
Post-secondary graduate
I’ve been a post-secondary graduate before and I’ve made many friends who’ve walked the same path we all walked. You’re going to realize that things can get a little lonely as it’s so different from the daily energy and buzz of a space filled with others. When you lose that buzz, you realize how small you are and how quiet and repetitive things can be. Surround yourself with music because it’ll nourish your soul back its energy and togetherness with others. If you’re at the stage where you’re looking for a professional path to enter, keep making music. It’ll sharpen the skills that you need to be that optimal candidate.
Professional / Parent
I’ll speak on behalf of a professional. If you think that being a professional is about being good at what you do and getting better, that’s great! Just remember that it’s equally important to give back, unless you want to be a zombie.
If you’re a professional just starting out and you need to expand your network, don’t just go to a networking gig, give back. Get involved and give to the community. Your community will love you and your community will take care of you. If you’ve sung before or want to learn to sing, join a choir. If you’ve played an instrument before, join a community band. Insert yourself into society because it’ll help you grow as a human being.
If you’re a matured professional, doing your best day in day out, it can sometimes feel a little monochrome. You may end up being so good at what you do that you may lose some skills. You may do all you do and only see faces you see every day. Continuing the music making like inserting yourself into a bucket of the most colourful paint you can ever have. Each music making experience, especially with a group, is different. You’ll freshen your other skills, rejuvenate your brain and meet a fantastic group of kind people who are enjoying the freshness, just like you.
8. Any Other Comments?
Music making is so multifaceted that we sometimes have a hard time articulating what it really does for us. When you think of other fields you can pinpoint exactly what it can do then you reason it’s just gotten one facet or a couple. Once you realize that music is multifaceted and that you can become such a well-rounded individual from it, you’ll learn that you’ve hit the best self-developer in your life. Quick story on how I realized this. Before entering my professional training I had requested numerous professionals to write reference letters or reviews for me. The keyword that kept popping up – well rounded. As you know, many employers, admissions individuals and interviewers are looking for that key word. Music makes us well-rounded.
