OUR STUDENTS (A candid conversation with Victor Ho, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon)
You have a very interesting occupation. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I’m 50 and a surgeon by trade. I perform surgeries to fix fractures, set jaws and treat other cosmetic injuries. I’m also involved in aesthetic medicine like
injecting Botox, skin regeneration and removing pigments, acne and the like. My job is a typical 9-5 one, but I am on call for emergencies like traffic
accidents where I might be needed to operate late at night.My variety of interests has seen me branch out into many fields in medicine, like acupuncture,
traditional Chinese medicine, geriatric medicine, family medicine, dermatology and drug therapeutics. I also teach part-time at the National University of
Singapore once or twice a week.
I’m 50 and a surgeon by trade. I perform surgeries to fix fractures, set jaws and treat other cosmetic injuries. I’m also involved in aesthetic medicine like
injecting Botox, skin regeneration and removing pigments, acne and the like. My job is a typical 9-5 one, but I am on call for emergencies like traffic
accidents where I might be needed to operate late at night.My variety of interests has seen me branch out into many fields in medicine, like acupuncture,
traditional Chinese medicine, geriatric medicine, family medicine, dermatology and drug therapeutics. I also teach part-time at the National University of
Singapore once or twice a week.
How has learning at Play by Ear been for you?
It has really opened my eyes to new areas. I’ve learnt about arpeggios, harmonization, musical phrasings and compositions. Even the finger exercises I’ve been given are extremely
useful. I’ve really learnt the extent you can develop something creative even from simple techniques. I’ve learnt how to coordinate a musical phrase of my creation and the left hand
accompaniment beautifully. Lessons here are really exciting and personal. There’s more colour and variation to what I can play now. You can always play the same song in a
different style. I like that kind of thing and the creativity involved. I enjoy my music even more with practice because with practice I get better. I go home immediately after my lesson to
practise to reinforce the main points of my new lesson. Then, I go back to my old songs.
I believe being a surgeon makes you a very busy person. I’m curious how you’re able to find time to practise.
You have to make time if you have a passion. Like I also enjoy singing, so I make time to sing. After achieving my goals in life, I feel I need to make time to pursue something I’ve
always wanted to achieve – music. Ultimately you need to prioritize. And I’m reaping the rewards of my making time for music.
What are the other priorities in life you’ve been able to make time for?
Languages. I’m going back to brush up on my Mandarin, and also my Japanese. Cooking is also something I enjoy very much.
Finally, can you share what your motivations in life are?
The grace of God. His love teaches me to look at things from different dimensions. It is only when I open my eyes to God’s love that I can count the number of blessings I’ve had the
past 24 years. And I wish to bless others in any little way that I can.
It has really opened my eyes to new areas. I’ve learnt about arpeggios, harmonization, musical phrasings and compositions. Even the finger exercises I’ve been given are extremely
useful. I’ve really learnt the extent you can develop something creative even from simple techniques. I’ve learnt how to coordinate a musical phrase of my creation and the left hand
accompaniment beautifully. Lessons here are really exciting and personal. There’s more colour and variation to what I can play now. You can always play the same song in a
different style. I like that kind of thing and the creativity involved. I enjoy my music even more with practice because with practice I get better. I go home immediately after my lesson to
practise to reinforce the main points of my new lesson. Then, I go back to my old songs.
I believe being a surgeon makes you a very busy person. I’m curious how you’re able to find time to practise.
You have to make time if you have a passion. Like I also enjoy singing, so I make time to sing. After achieving my goals in life, I feel I need to make time to pursue something I’ve
always wanted to achieve – music. Ultimately you need to prioritize. And I’m reaping the rewards of my making time for music.
What are the other priorities in life you’ve been able to make time for?
Languages. I’m going back to brush up on my Mandarin, and also my Japanese. Cooking is also something I enjoy very much.
Finally, can you share what your motivations in life are?
The grace of God. His love teaches me to look at things from different dimensions. It is only when I open my eyes to God’s love that I can count the number of blessings I’ve had the
past 24 years. And I wish to bless others in any little way that I can.
What brought you to Play by Ear?
I had some background playing the piano using chords, different rhythms and even some fill-ins. Being able to play something on the piano was
great but I wanted to explore how far music could take me beyond what I already knew.
I had some background playing the piano using chords, different rhythms and even some fill-ins. Being able to play something on the piano was
great but I wanted to explore how far music could take me beyond what I already knew.
PLAY BY EAR MUSIC SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) - SPECIALISING IN POP PIANO & JAZZ PIANO IMPROVISATION COURSES FOR ADULTS
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
