Distinguished violinist and educator Cho-Liang Lin, professor at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, calls for a balanced approach to music education that embraces technology while preserving the essential human elements of musical training.
“Technology democratizes education,” says Lin, whose career spans over four decades of performance and teaching. “But it’s still crucial to maintain the personal connection that music thrives on.”
According to a study by the University of Florida, “Integrating technology with teaching has distinct advantages for engagement, but music educators must also be careful to take a measured approach to incorporating these tools. The best framework for including them will combine knowledge of music and education, as well as challenge teachers to stay hyperfocused on the knowledge and skills they want their students to develop.”
Cho-Liang Lin observes that while digital tools have made music education more accessible, they also impact students’ focus and practice habits. "Nowadays, students are very easily distracted. There's so much on the internet, whether it's YouTube, texting, or reading whatever they wish to catch up on."
Cho-Liang Lin advocates for quality-focused practice sessions over lengthy, distracted ones. "If you just do quality practicing for one hour, that's better than two hours of wandering around, texting somebody for three minutes and then practicing another five minutes," he explains.
About Cho-Liang Lin:
Cho-Liang Lin has been a professor at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music since 2006. His distinguished career includes performances with major orchestras worldwide, Grammy nominations, and an extensive teaching legacy. As both performer and educator, Lin continues to influence the evolution of classical music education in the digital age.
About Rice University's Shepherd School of Music:
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is one of the nation's premier music schools, offering a comprehensive range of degrees in performance, composition, conducting, musicology, and music theory. Known for its selective admission process and intensive training program, the school maintains a student body of approximately 300 music majors. The faculty consists of internationally renowned artists and teachers. Located in Houston, the school's state-of-the-art facilities include the Alice Pratt Brown Hall and the recently opened Brockman Hall for Opera, providing students with world-class performance and practice spaces.
About Opus 3 Artists
Opus 3 Artists is a premier management company representing many of the world's top performing artists and ensembles. With roots tracing back to legendary impresario Sol Hurok, the company evolved from ICM Artists before becoming independent in 2006. Expanding internationally, it opened a Berlin office in 2012, later merging with Askonas Holt Berlin in 2024. Its dedicated team supports instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, composers, orchestras, and various performing arts groups. Committed to artistic excellence, Opus 3 Artists continues Hurok’s legacy by discovering and nurturing emerging talent, helping them build lasting careers in the global arts scene.