Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Truong.
Hi Clara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My name is Clara and I’m a classical pianist. I grew up in a musical household; that was my introduction. I’m 23 years old now and music is still more a part of me than anything else I’ve ever done or experienced.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, I’ve had my fair share of performance anxiety and confidence issues. I used to be afraid all the time—afraid of making mistakes, of not living up to expectations. Every performance felt like life or death.
After I graduated from conservatory, I put some distance between myself and the instrument. I had to remind myself that my world wouldn’t grind to a halt if I wasn’t a musician anymore. I also made an effort to talk to my parents more openly about how growing up with such an intense focus on a music career affected me. Those conversations were very healing. I have a wonderful support system now in my friends and family.
These days, I feel very lucky to be working with musicians who support me and assure me that I’m safe and valued, no matter what I sound like in that moment. I can appreciate music for what it is and for all the positive things it has brought into my life. In some ways, I’m starting over from square one. But I’ve arrived at a place where I can be curious about the music and what it wants to say instead of staying stuck in my own head. It’s a small step, but it’s everything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I live a few different lives now post-grad. In addition to my work as a pianist, accompanist, and music director, I’m the editor-in-chief of an online fashion publication called Moonset, which focuses on uplifting minority designers and small businesses in the sustainable fashion space. I’m also the technical lead and design manager on a summer project at Develop for Good, a tech nonprofit based in the Bay Area.
I take pride in my ability to be observant and to be intentional. I relish the most minute details. And I always choose my words with care, especially when I write. I have the privilege of hearing some wonderful stories when I interview people for Moonset, so I want to do them justice… One of our most recent articles was a tribute to Nguyen Cat Tuong, the man behind the modern Vietnamese ao dai. I was happy with how it turned out. Since I was writing about my own culture and homeland, it felt very close to my heart.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
Risks are so personal. Something like choosing a career as a musician sounds like a big risk on paper, but for me, it was a natural progression from my childhood and where I had hoped my life would go. My actual biggest risks probably occurred in my interpersonal relationships (and maybe some stray haircuts). I think falling in love is always a bit of a gamble. But I don’t have any regrets.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moonset-magazine.com
- Instagram: @claratruong, @moonset_magazine
