Jazz pianist Joyce Cheung tells David Ho about her journey from piano lessons as a child to winning awards and tickling the ivories with some of Hong Kong’s most exciting pop stars

Fresh from a win at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards for Best Instrumental Album for her album The Études, one would expect it to be a whirlwind of activity in Joyce Cheung’s life. Instead, the jazz pianist is taking time to properly enjoy her summer before settling back into work.

Cheung speaks to #legend right after a family trip to Vancouver and Seattle. “It was really relaxing and nice to go back to some of the places where I used to spend my summer holidays,” she says. “I recently visited two national parks in the U.S. and was amazed by how beautiful the sceneries and the animals are. It got me thinking about how simple their lives probably are—just finding food and/or a place to rest each day. It made me wonder if I could live a simpler life, too.”

Reflecting on her win at the Golden Melody Awards, Cheung is in a thankful mood. “Honestly, I feel very honoured and I’m very grateful. The award isn’t just for me but for everyone who was involved in making the album,” she says. “I also see it as the start of something bigger. Hopefully, it’ll help me reach new audiences and open up fresh opportunities.”

The Études is Cheung’s third album, which started as a series of piano exercises she came up with during the pandemic. It grew to become a collection of 12 original compositions that are now winning awards.

“I’d say it’s a mix of jazz improvisation within a classical framework. The melodies are easy to follow, but the improvisation adds a fresh, spontaneous vibe that keeps each performance unique and exciting,” she says of her music. “For me, it’s all about improvisation—the back-and-forth of listening and reacting, throwing out musical ideas and seeing if others catch them. That spontaneous musical conversation is what makes jazz so exciting and fun.”

Cheung remains philosophical when it comes to creating her own compositions. “Original compositions are really personal. My advice is to trust yourself and just go for it. Know who your audience is and appreciate those who connect with your music,” she says.

Aware of what a tough path this is, Cheung also has wise words for other musicians. “Don’t shy away from critiques—they help you grow. Remember, your music isn’t a reflection of your personality or worth. If it’s loved, great; if not, take your time, look at it from a new angle, and try again.”

Cheung’s musical journey started at the tender age of three when her mother signed her up for a group piano class. “I just stuck with it. There wasn’t one big “aha” moment; I simply knew I liked it and kept going,” she says. “As for jazz, I remember hearing a jazzed-up birthday song during a piano course when I was eleven. That stuck with me, and I’ve wanted to play like that ever since.”

She then went on to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music, an institution with that’s produced the who’s who of music. Its alumni ranges from Quincy Jones and Chaka Khan to John Mayer and Psy. With the US music industry and more developed scene at her reach, it’s a bit of a surprise that she came back to Hong Kong to build her career.

“Originally, after graduation, I had plans to return to Boston briefly then head to LA to build my career,” Cheung tells us. “But I ended up staying in Hong Kong because I missed my family and friends so much. Being close to them is more important to me than anything else, including career plans. Honestly, if I had to decide again today, I’d make the same choice.”

“What I’ve realized over the years is that my path has been pretty fluid. I started classical, then studied jazz and film music, taught music classes, played wedding gigs, and later focused more on performance and arranging. I used to dislike performing but now it’s my favourite way to express myself. Who knows? Maybe in ten or twenty years I’ll shift more towards composing film music and take a step back from the stage.”

But for the near future, her schedule is looking quite full. “Right now, I’m working on a few arrangement projects. I’m also preparing to do my first short film score and planning my next album, which I’m really excited about,” she says. “I need to get back to practicing—I’ve been away from the piano too long! I’ll be performing at Hong Kong Jazz Fest 2025 and working on my next album, so lots to look forward to.”

Anyone who has ever taken piano lessons would know how hard it is to keep up with regular practice, let alone maintaining your passion for the craft when it’s your job. For Cheung, it is the dedication of others that keeps her going. “I think it’s about keeping curious and inspired by watching other musicians. Seeing amazing artists still working hard and trying to get better every day is really motivating. If they keep pushing, why wouldn’t I?”

Cheung sees singer-songwriter Jacob Collier as one of her biggest inspirations. “To me, he truly lives and breathes music—it’s not just a career or a passion for him, it’s his entire life. In his world, there are no boundaries, and it often feels like he can create sounds just by thinking about them,” she says. “He’s achieved incredible things, like conducting audience choirs and collaborating with artists from all over the globe, which is really inspiring.”

Cheung herself has worked with some great artists, she counts with Hong Kong stars like Janice Vidal, Yoyo Sham, Cloud Wan and Terence Lam as some of her collaborators. She has fond memories of each partnership.

“One great experience was working with Yoyo for Pop Fest 2023. She was open to new ideas and challenging songs. Her feedback on the singing side gave me a fresh perspective on what it’s like to be a vocalist, which helped me grow,” Cheung recalls. “Another one would be the four-hands collaboration with Terence at my show Once in a Blue Moon in July 2024. It was a lot of fun! He’s super talented and detail-oriented, and working with him really pushed me to explore new musical ideas.”

Looking forward, Cheung has big dreams. “I’d love to work with an orchestra someday—or maybe with a big choir! The more the merrier for me,” she says. Yet, it’s the little things that still spark joy for her on the daily. “Running barefoot in a backyard, quiet mornings, and even cleaning or organizing things. It sounds simple, but those little things make me happy.”

CREDITS

Creative Direction / Zaneta Cheng
Photography / Alexander Yeung
Styling / Anthony Tong
Hair / Haysses Ip
Make-Up / San
Photography Assistants / Victor Tang & Ernest Cheng

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