Born in Taichung, Taiwan, in 1998, Clara Szu-Yu Lin initially studied violin with Gregory Lee, Cheng-Tu Szu and Vladimir Klochko. In 2014 she enrolled in the preparatory course for the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, where Christian Dallinger was her teacher. From 2016, she continued her studies at the same academy in Leonid Sorokow’s class. From 2021 she studied for a master’s concert degree in violin with Albena Danailova, then with Sanghee Sania Cheong from 2022 onwards. She gathered her first orchestral experience in the Pacific Youth Orchestra Vienna (where she was also a section leader), the Junge Philharmonie Wien and the chamber orchestra Modus 21. In 2018 and 2019 she appeared as a soloist with the Soloist Chamber Orchestra MDW of the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. She was section leader and concertmaster of the Valsassina Ensemble in Vienna. She forms a violin duo with her sister which has performed several times in Taiwan, among other locations. Starting in September 2023, Clara Szu-Yu Lin is a member of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Academy.
Can you present us your instrument in three words?
Colourful, brilliant and natural.
Do you remember the first time you fell in love with your instrument?
As a child, my mum asked me what instrument I wanted to play, and I actually chose the harp! However, I couldn’t play it in Taiwan, so I played the cello instead and actually fell in love with that first. The violin came one year after. It’s easy to carry and you can play it everywhere you want, so I just love it ever since.
If you could have dinner with one composer or artist (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
That’s a very good question… I would probably have to choose two: Bach and Mozart. Bach because my mum is a big fan of his and I would surely want an autograph to give it to her. And Mozart, because my character would probably vibe with him a lot.
If you had to impress someone at an audition, what piece would you play?
Since auditions are quite boring in a way, I might just play something really chill to improve the atmosphere. Something from Bach for example.
What have been your favourite moments with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Academy so far?
With the other academicians, one night after a rehearsal we played badminton with pans in the kitchen. Whoever walked in joined us. It was super fun!
When you're not busy playing music, where are we most likely to find you?
I think it would be in the kitchen, singing and dancing, as I really like to cook.
What three songs are living rent-free in your head?
Sympathique from Pink Martini, the 2nd movement of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto N° 2 and Here Comes the Sun from the Beatles.
©: Sebastien Grebille
