Piano Prodigy Tengku Ahmad Irfan's Advice To Aspiring Artists

Voted a Generation T lister for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, prodigious pianist Tengku Ahmad Irfan takes a stance for the arts and conveys some kindly advice towards budding musicians and artists.

Above Photo: Courtesy of Tengku Ahmad Irfan.

Assuming a radical role in both regenerating and developed nations, the arts are weightier in the lives of some than others. Tengku Ahmad Irfan, who falls into the former, makes a strong case for artistic self-expression when he said, “Through the arts, one express what cannot be conveyed with words. Music, for instance, is a universal language that can connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. The arts also develop and sharpen our minds by inducing mindfulness.”

The last time we caught up with the prodigious pianist, he was just 18, and had just finished playing at the 2016 Aspen Music Festival. A more recent crowning achievement transpired at the Frederick P. Rose Hall in Jazz at Lincoln Center: "On top of receiving my ASCAP Morton Gould Award, it was a huge honour to be invited to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Grammy/Tony Awards winner and jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater was among the performers that night," he swooned. Here are 3 terrific tips from Tengku that will work to the benefit of most artists:

Above Photo: Courtesy of Tengku Ahmad Irfan.

Be A Trusting Leader On Top Of A Trustworthy Leader

Be it directing/conducting an orchestra or counseling a community, Tengku Ahmad Irfan has been thrust into leadership roles with increasing frequency. No less can be expected of the artist who always gives his best and is willing to take risks. "Be a team player by being punctual and efficient; most times you will be reciprocated. But my biggest challenge is learning how to strike balance between leading and letting others handle themselves — to create a symbiosis, so to speak," admitted the artist.

Above Photo: Courtesy of Tengku Ahmad Irfan.

Learn To Slow Down And To Seek Inspiration

If endowed with a superpower of choice, Tengku Ahmad Irfan would pick the ability to live in several parallel universes. "This would allow me to do several things simultaneously. I could practice, conduct and compose, while attending a concert and spending time with my family and friends! Even having 48 hours in a day wouldn’t be enough!" said the high-achiever. Nevertheless, the twenty-two-year-old doesn't deprive himself of the simple joys, in his case being video games, movies and sitcoms such as 'The Big Bang Theory.'

The fortunate inhabitant of New York City, one of the most creative hubs in the world, need only step out of his apartment to be inspired. Naming The Metropolitan Museum of Art as his favourite museum, the artist also looks forward to long strolls in Central Park and being swept away by world-class concerts at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Above Photo: Courtesy of Tengku Ahmad Irfan.

Nurture Your Society — But Don't Overlook Yourself

"Success, in my terms, is not only creating something that satisfies me, but that also changes lives in my community or industry," mused Tengku Ahmad Irfan. "Find meaning in what you do and transmit that positivity."

The cognizant musician also warned us to the pitfalls of self-pity or regret. "Even though I have to be self-critical in order to improve, I've learned that being excessively hard on oneself may be anti-productive. Too much dwelling on the past creates anxiety and detracts from time that could be spent building something more meaningful."

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Tengku Ahmad Irfan Generation T Musician Leadership Pianist Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

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Piano Prodigy Tengku Ahmad Irfan's Advice To Aspiring Artists