Canadian Musician November / December 2019 | Page 54

LI: I wouldn’t say I’ve shifted; I’ve incorporated. I
think it completes the picture. Here’s my thinking: I
never wanted to be known as a guitar player because
there are many guitar players. I want people to con-
tact me because they want me to be involved regard-
less of my instrument or role. I have a mantra: “I have
to learn and to contribute.” It’s really that simple. If these
two aren’t a part of the equation, then it’s not for me.

CM: What was it like incorporating music academia
into your life? I think a lot of people see a huge gap
between the industry and academia.

LI: The first year as a grad student was very tough
for me. Part of the program is reading articles writ-
COUNT ON
MusiCounts
MusiCounts, Canada’s music
education charity associated
with CARAS and The JUNO
Awards, is keeping music alive
in schools and communities
across Canada by putting musi-
cal instruments into the hands
of children that need them
most. MusiCounts’ mission is
to ensure that youth in Canada
have access to music programs
through their schools and
communities. MusiCounts cel-
ebrates musical excellence and
achieves its mission through
various programs, including its
Band Aid Program and Musi-
54 CANADIAN MUSICIAN
ten by music theorists. Your initial thought is, “Wait
a minute – they’re not on the battleground; they’re
just reflecting on something that they haven’t done
themselves.” But as you get into it, you realize there’s
something here I may not have thought about. That’s
the beauty of it. It opens your mind to things.

CM: Have you faced any hurdles or frustrations with
the inner workings of academia?

LI: Generally speaking, it’s important to add the
practical and performance aspect to the academia of
music. It’s beautiful when you learn something as a
theory, but to complete it, you need to put it to prac-
tical use. Here’s the C major scale. This is where it’s
used and how it’s used. Now, show me how you can
incorporate it in your playing.

CM: What are your plans following the Ph.D.?

LI: I don’t have any major plans. I’m working on
some personal projects but everything is always tied
in somehow. I can see myself doing artist residencies.
I’ve done it in the past, but I can see that on a differ-
ent level, where the scholarly work is more incorpo-
rated in the performance aspect of it. I want to share
my experience and knowledge.
Counts Scholarships.
The MusiCounts Band Aid
Program provides school music
programs in need with musical
instruments and equipment.
Instruments provided
(awarded in allotments
between $5,000 and
$15,000) impact thousands of
young Canadians and support
diverse music programs
that include everything
from concert and jazz bands
to rock band programs.
To date, MusiCounts has
distributed nearly $13 million
in instruments and equipment
to hundreds of school and
community music programs
across Canada.
The MusiCounts Schol-
arship recognizes post-
secondary students who
demonstrate excellence,
display a commitment to music
in their community, and show
a consistently high level of
achievement in their careers
to date.  Through a $4,000
financial contribution and an
intensive mentorship and net-
working experience in Toron-
to, this scholarship will have
a significant and long-lasting
impact on the lives of young
professionals who are on track
to build exciting careers in the
music industry.
Learn more at
www.musicounts.ca.