Who’s Raising the Musicians?

I just want to thank Charles Donelan for his fine interview with author Amy Chua. Her book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, was both hilarious and inspiring. It reminded me of Lang Lang’s autobiography, Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story, in which he describes the support he received from his parents while growing up a music prodigy in China.

I have taught piano for many years and through the years many of my best students have ethnic backgrounds derived from China, Japan, or Korea. There are many lessons to be learned from the parenting styles of these cultures, so different from the hands-off approach – or leave it to the schools or the nannies, as the case may be – so prevalent in the United States that one can only wonder just who is raising our children.

I admire Chua for her honesty and courage in sharing her story, and, again, thank Donelan for his excellent interview.