Patty Chan

Music has shaped my identity as a second-generation Chinese-Canadian and connected me with my roots. I was introduced to Chinese music at age 12 by my parents to learn about my culture. I studied erhu (Chinese fiddle), violin and piano and had the opportunity to play in the Chinese orchestra. Being a visible minority, I faced racism in school which made me feel like an outsider. Conversely, as a Canadian-born Chinese, I was not “Chinese enough” to those that were from Asia. Music became my refuge from this tension in my identity.