The last chapter: Covid-19 won’t stop me

First of all, I would love to say “thank you from the bottom of my heart!” to the Kellner Family Foundation as well as to my family (particularly my mother), the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, “Cesta ke vzdělání” Foundation, Boro Credit company, the Manhattan School of Music, my piano teacher Mr.Alexandre Moutouzkine, my dearest bride Raina Wang and everyone else who supported me in my education!!

  I’m also thankful for working for the Riverside Church which didn’t stop paying its employees even after the pandemic has started (the services switched to an online mode and the choir members were asked if possible to send videos of them singing hymns and then all the singers’ videos were combined into one video, how incredible!). You can find on YouTube the riverside church channel and you can spot me singing in some of their recent videos. I’ve worked there for one academic year, but I’ve learned a tremendous amount of experience not only in terms of music, but also spiritually.

  The Manhattan School of Music is also an admirable college. I’m glad that I can call myself an alumni – BM’20 is my second title, my first title is from the Prague Conservatory (Associate degree of music’16). The MSM faculty quickly adjusted to the pandemic (the virus has reached USA during a two week recess – a spring break) and later we were notified of an extra free week. Then the classes shifted to an online system called “MSM Canvas” and also the Zoom app. I was lucky enough for having a grand piano in order to practice at home (only thanks to my girlfriend, who also bought n95 masks before the pandemic even started).

  My four-year experience studying in The USA was very fruitful and I do recommend anyone to try studying abroad! It will broaden your understanding of the world, enhance your knowledge and perhaps even make you a wiser person.

Even though the pandemic has ruined our plans and has made our life difficult for a while, we should never give up on pursuing our dreams. At least I don’t intend to do so.  

  My nearby plans are to record and to release my first digital album (it will probably contain Czech classical piano music, but the repertoire is not confirmed yet). Next year you will be able to find it on platforms such as iTunes or Spotify. As of now, you can search my YouTube channel under my name and see my recent homemade graduation videos. It was originally supposed to be a piano recital, but all the concerts were obviously cancelled.

  My another plan is to focus more on being a freelancer and take a break from schools. I intend to move to China with my bride and start performing music and teaching there together (she’s also an excellent concert pianist and composer). I would love to particularly perform a lot of Czech music in order to make it more popular there (western classical music is getting more and more popular in the Eastern Asia).

  I will finish my chapter with the motto of the MSM: “Macte Virtute Sic Itur Ad Astra” or “Those, who excell, reach the stars”. Hopefully we’ll meet again at one of my classical music concerts in the future! Until next time, have a good one!