Meet Tsun-yuet Emmanuel Kwok | Concert Cellist, Music Arranger, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tsun-yuet Emmanuel Kwok and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emmanuel, why did you decide to become a professional musician? Would you tell us something about your journey?
Thank you for the interview opportunity! Talking about why and how I started my journey – it’s this cool mix of inspiration and destiny. Half of it was my call, and the other half felt like fate pulling me in.

I kicked off my cello journey super early, like around six. Back then, being a pro musician wasn’t even on my radar. It wasn’t until middle school that I stumbled upon Yo-Yo Ma playing the Haydn Concerto Cello in C and Rococo Variations with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on TV. That performance opened my eyes to the magic a cello can create, and that’s when I started taking this cello thing seriously. Fast forward a bit, got into a music major program, and met some amazing musicians in Hong Kong, and they all became my inspiration.

In 2012, I made the move to Texas, thinking about switching things up career-wise because of the whole degree money situation. But guess what? I landed a spot at Texas Christian University School of Music with a full scholarship. All I had to do was hustle for a living, grind through my studies, and, of course, practice like crazy. At some point, I considered switching to being an orchestra director, but man, I’m so glad I stuck with my love – the cello.

Starting a music career in a new country where you don’t know a soul? Yeah, it’s no walk in the park. Post-pandemic, though, I started connecting with musicians in the DFW area. The support I got from folks who never even met me in person was mind-blowing. It’s like this awesome blessing that they trusted me without meeting face-to-face. That trust just fuels my fire to work even harder, making sure I don’t let anyone down. And now, I’m super grateful for all the professional engagement – both performing and teaching.

Would you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered, and the most valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way?
My adventure is just one of those thousands of stories out there, you know? The DFW music world is packed with amazing cellists, and landing this interview feels like a stroke of luck.

Being a musician is a wild ride – it’s not all smooth sailing. It’s about pouring in hard work, commitment, facing failure, shedding tears, and even a bit of blood at times.

Growing up in a low-income family was my first big hurdle. I got my first taste of cello in a public school class, but it wasn’t until the month before college that I had a shot at private lessons. Coming to the States, my family couldn’t back me up like most international students. I hustled with my savings, and even affording application fees and travel costs for school auditions was a challenge. Huge shoutout to TCU for offering me a full scholarship – I had to grind, but I made it.

Starting late with a private teacher added to the struggle. Despite playing since I was a kid, group classes gave me some funky habits. I vividly recall battling my right-hand bow hold during college – two hours of staccato open string every day for two months. My professor thought I was nuts, but hey, it worked. Now, when my students hit roadblocks, I’ve been there, done that, and know how to steer them right.

Musical connections were a hurdle too. I landed in DFW with zero connections and not many Hong Kong music buddies around. Twelve years later, I’ve met maybe ten Hong Kong musicians. But hey, I embraced the challenge, made local friends, brushed up on my English, and expanded my network. Hanging out with new musical pals made a world of difference.

So, my current challenge? Navigating through the twists and turns of my educational journey. I started off at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, which is pretty top-notch in Asia. But, you know how life goes, and financial hurdles nudged me toward TCU. Don’t get me wrong; TCU is awesome, with fantastic mentors and programs. It’s just not as big-name as some of those Ivy League giants. Picture this: playing concerts alongside friends from places like Juilliard, Curtis, and New England. It was a bit intimidating, but I took it as a cue to kick things up a notch. Not just to make my peers proud but also to show myself that I could totally rock it without the glitz of those big-shot music schools.

Through it all, the most crucial lesson that I learned. Work hard, step out of your comfort zone, and leave the outcome with open hands. I can plan and do, but there’s a higher force guiding my path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve always got this special vibe for the Historic Downtown McKinney – it’s my go-to spot, you know? It’s like this breath of fresh air in the middle of the crazy hustle. And can we talk about 54th Street? Such a chill place to hang out! Now, let’s dive into the food scene in DFW. It’s a melting pot of cultures and styles. Imagine this: Church’s Texas Chicken paired with some Japanese Udon and a cold Sapporo beer. How’s that for a flavor adventure?

When it comes to music, I’m planning to take my buddy to check out a few cool organizations I’m involved with. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson throws down some amazing concerts every weekend. Over at the Moody Performance Hall, the Dallas Chamber Symphony always puts on fantastic shows that the audience loves. And let’s not forget the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra – they know how to bring the fun with their concerts. Oh, and Texas Cellos? They’re a super unique and special group here in DFW. Gotta experience it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Big shoutout to the one and only, Lord Jesus Christ – never led me wrong!

Now, let’s spread some love to some incredible folks. First up, kudos to my cello professor Jesús Castro-Balbi, who’s been guiding me through this musical journey for a solid seven years. Major props to my pals Eldred Marshall and Thao Pham, the brains behind the Mansfield Philharmonic, for trusting me to play the Rococo Variations with their orchestra just after the pandemic. Much love to Daniel and Kay Chilton, my awesome cello friends, for giving me a lot of professional orchestra opportunities. And a big shoutout to Joseph Kuipers, the maestro behind the Texas Cellos, for inviting me to teach and play at the Texas Cello School and the Texas Cellos.

Special shoutouts to friends and colleagues who not just invited me to play with their group, but are also doing something I could never handle – running an orchestra. Seriously, managing more than 60 people? For me, I have a feeling that my cello is already a handful! Much respect to Jason Lim of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard McKay of the Dallas Chamber Symphony, Richard Lee of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Felix Torres of the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, and last but not least, Weston Jennings, the maestro of the New Texas Sinfonia.

Website: emmanuelkwok.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etykwk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/EmmanuelKwokCellist