Five Minutes with Kay Huang (Chairperson of Taipei Music Center)
Introducing Kay Huang, the first Chairperson of the Taipei Music Center (TMC). With an extensive background as a senior composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, TV and radio host, actress, talent show judge, and record company executive in Mandopop, Huang has been honoured with numerous awards, including the Best Composer Award at the 24th Golden Melody Awards in 2013 and the Special Contribution Award at the 10th Golden Indie Music Awards in 2019. Leveraging her accumulated industry expertise, experience, and network, Huang has successfully launched the operation of the three halls at TMC during her tenure, completed commercial leasing and occupancy, as well as actively engaged in talent incubation and industry-academia collaboration. She has internally established the organisation structure and regulations and internationally promoted the visibility of TMC. Find out more about TMC here.
Chairperson Kay Huang – Photo by WANG JHENG-SIANG from VERSE
Taipei Music Center (TMC) opened its doors in 2020, right in the middle of a worldwide pandemic – what has been your toughest challenge as well as your biggest triumph since TMC’s opening?
Opening TMC’s doors in the midst of a worldwide pandemic has been a daunting task, and as an executive non-departmental public body, we are the first in Taiwan to feature music themes. We had to create a new model as there were no precedents to follow.
One of the toughest challenges we have faced is communication and coordination with the government. We have to qualify for and constantly meet administrative deadlines, provide reports for interpellations at Taipei City Council, and comply with procedures and regulations that are not typical for privately owned enterprises. We have also encountered difficulties in addressing practical issues such as sound insulation projects in various venues for high demands from the industry. We always have to balance the ideals of music as an artform with the realities of the government’s policies in a business world.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
However, my biggest pride lies in that despite these challenges, the TMC team perseveres. My team is made up of individuals from different backgrounds, learning to adapt and work together while growing from frustrations and standing stronger. Aside from the successful openings and smooth operations of our three halls, all the shops have been rented out, and their being music or culture-related was also a nice feature. We have also established strategic alliances with colleges and businesses, turning TMC into a music valley. Although there is still much to be done, we remain optimistic about the future and will continue to strive for excellence.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
We know that development of popular music and the music industry in Taipei is central to TMC’s mission – tell us more about the work that the centre is currently doing to support and nurture local artists.
We believe that nurturing local talents is crucial to the development of the music industry in Taiwan. With the three venues at TMC each embodying a unique mission, we offer a great variety of courses, including songwriting, production, show execution training, lighting, sound engineering, and more. TMC is not only focused on developing potential performers but also on cultivating skills of the technicians and creative crew behind the scenes.
We also aim to inspire and develop the public’s appreciation for the Mandopop history as well as encourage creativity for future possibilities. TMC is collaborating with colleges to offer credited courses and is also looking forward to the future of applied technology incorporated into the music scene. We all hope to discover and cultivate the next Jolin Tsai or Jay Chou, showcasing Taiwan to the world through music.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
How has TMC cultivated its relationship with both local and international audiences over these past two years?
TMC has endeavoured to establish a strong connection with both local and international audiences, with a focus on hosting a diverse array of events, such as concerts, exhibitions and outdoor markets. The aim is to foster a vibrant and inclusive environment that embodies the TMC vision of “Music is life, living in music.” Amidst the challenges posed by the global pandemic, we made great efforts to prioritise engagement with the local community, inviting them to step into the hub and discover the magic here.
As the pandemic gradually eased, we then seized the opportunity to expand our horizons and participated in international events. We co-curated an architecture exhibition at the Cooper Union in New York with RUR Architecture, took part in the 2022 AAPPAC Conference in Singapore, had our second year in the “Open House Taipei” event. Additionally, we initiated an international writing camp that offered a platform for cross-cultural exchange with musicians from other countries.
Looking ahead, TMC aspires to bring its self-produced exhibitions and concerts to foreign shores, such as the touching tribute to the late Zhang Yu-Sheng, strengthening cultural interactions and delivering meaningful experiences.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
As a composer and music lover yourself, what are your hopes for Taipei’s music scene?
As a composer and music lover myself, I am thrilled to see Taipei’s music scene flourishing with a diverse range of music genres and countless venues to experience them. It’s amazing to think that this scene has been growing and evolving for several decades, and yet it still feels vibrant and exciting. From indie bands and record stores to student clubs in schools, the city is filled with opportunities to discover new music and support local talents.
My hope for Taipei’s music scene is that it continues to grow and thrive, and that people from all walks of life can appreciate and enjoy the music being produced here. It’s important for all of us to open our ears to music and support emerging artists, as this helps to create a dynamic and inclusive community that benefits everyone. I really believe that Taipei has the potential to become even more influential on a global scale, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
TMC is a huge multi-venue complex! What is your favourite space in the centre and why?
As a musician and a genuine supporter of the music industry in Taiwan, TMC holds a special place in my heart. Of all the spaces within the complex, my favourite has to be the shops stretching around the Creative hub. When I first visited TMC three years ago, I dreamed of being able to start my day here with breakfast and finish my day with a drink before heading home. Although it wasn’t easy to get the leasing up and running, it has been amazing to see my dreams slowly coming true. Being able to witness new shops opening up and people walking around with smiles on their faces has been incredibly rewarding.
For me, TMC is not just a physical space, but also a mindset towards the world. It’s about being open-minded, always exploring, and staying experimental. I’ve never lost my passion for creating music, and it never bores me. That’s why I love walking through the hub, seeing the happy faces enjoying the space we have created for them. It brings me great joy to have played a part in building this base for the public, where they can come and experience the magic of music. I hope that TMC continues to inspire and enrich the lives of everyone who comes through its doors, and that it remains a vibrant and thriving hub for music lovers for many years to come.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)
Use three words to describe TMC’s personality!
Inclusive/Embracing: TMC is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to appreciate and create music, regardless of language, culture, or genre.
Soil (for incubation): We are committed to cultivating new talents and nurturing the next generation of musicians. By providing a supportive and encouraging environment for emerging artists to grow and develop, TMC is helping to shape the future of music in Taiwan and beyond. It is a place of creativity, experimentation, and innovation, where the possibilities are endless and the potential for greatness is limitless.
Pathway/Window (to music and to the world): We serve as a pathway to the world of music, opening doors and exposing audiences to new and exciting sounds. TMC is a true gem, a place of beauty, passion, and inspiration, where music lovers can come together to celebrate the art form that unites us all.
The song Taipei’s Sky perfectly exemplifies the TMC scene, inviting everyone here to relax, feel, reminisce, and appreciate the richness and beauty of music.
Photo by Taipei Music Center (TMC)