Chantel Yiu- The Harmony of Music, Business, and Passion

Uni Dream
Aug 7
5 min read

At just 18 years old, Chantel Yiu has achieved what many only dream of — an impressive career as a celebrated singer in Hong Kong and a clear vision for her future. This fall, she will take her next big step by enrolling in NYU’s Music Business program, a decision that not only reflects her love for music but also her desire to build a sustainable career that blends creativity with business acumen. However, the road to NYU took a bit of soul searching.

Navigating the Fork in the Road: Traditional vs. Creative Pathways

For Chantel, deciding on a university program presented a significant struggle. With her dual identity as a successful recording artist and a high-achieving student, she grappled with whether to pursue a traditional academic pathway or fully commit to her performing career. “There was a lot of uncertainty,” she admits. “I didn’t know if I should focus solely on music or explore something that could give me more options for the future.”

Chantel at Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland

Chantel began to explore programs that could bridge her two passions: music and business. Offers poured in from prestigious schools, including Berklee College of Music, which focuses heavily on performance, and top-tier universities in Hong Kong. Ultimately, Chantel chose NYU’s Music Business program for its unique ability to combine industry knowledge with practical skills, offering the best of both worlds.

“NYU felt like the perfect place for me to grow as an artist while also developing a business mindset,” she says.

Balancing Stardom and Studies: A Journey of Discipline and Growth

Chantel’s journey to NYU wasn’t just about choosing the right program — it was also about navigating the challenges of balancing her career with academics. As an IBDP student at Diocesan School for Girls in New Zealand, Chantel managed a demanding schedule that included composing music, performing at concerts with audiences of over 10,000, and leading extracurricular initiatives like Bring Your Own Music (BYOM), a student organization she founded to foster cultural understanding through music and dance.

“Time management was critical” Chantel reflects.

Chantel and Tina (right), Founder of Uni-D, at Jukebox Musical《三•八》

“I had to carefully plan my days to ensure I could balance rehearsals, performances, and my schoolwork.” Breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks helped her stay organized and on track. Despite the challenges, her passion for both music and academics kept her motivated. Supported by her family, mentors, and Tina, Chantel navigated the journey with determination and focus.

Advice to Students: Explore, Dream, and Stay Open

Reflecting on her experience, Chantel offers valuable advice to students still figuring out their paths. “It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away,” she shares. “Sometimes, you need to explore and try different things to discover what you truly love.” She emphasizes the importance of staying curious and open-minded, even when faced with uncertainty.

Her own journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and exploration. From launching entrepreneurial projects like Ecobites, a sustainability initiative, to co-founding the Chantel X Ade Fashion Brand in support of women’s empowerment, Chantel has continually sought ways to expand her horizons and make a positive impact.

“The sky is truly the limit,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to dream big and pursue what excites you, even if it feels unconventional.”

姚焯菲-融合音樂、商業與熱誠

年僅18歲的姚焯菲 (Chantel) 已實現了許多人夢寐以求的夢想——在香港成為備受矚目的歌手，並對未來有著清晰的規劃。今年秋天，她將邁出人生重要的一步，入讀紐約大學的音樂商業課程。這個選擇不僅展現了她對音樂的熱愛，更體現她希望把創意與商業智慧結合，打造可持續發展事業的決心。然而，通往紐約大學的這條路，其實經歷了一番深刻的自我探索。

站在人生的岔路口：傳統學術與藝術之路的抉擇

對Chantel而言，大學專業的選擇曾是個艱難的抉擇。身兼發片歌手與資優生的雙重身份，她不斷掙扎該選擇傳統學術道路，還是全心投入演藝事業。「當時充滿不確定性，」她坦言，「我不知道該專注於音樂，還是該開拓更多未來可能性。」

她開始尋找能融合兩大熱情的科系——音樂與商業。頂尖學府的錄取通知紛至沓來，包括以表演見長的柏克萊音樂學院，以及香港多所頂尖大學。最終，紐約大學音樂商業課程以「業界知識與實務技能並重」的獨特優勢脫穎而出，完美契合她的需求。

她說：「紐約大學對我來說是一個完美的地方，我可以精進藝術造詣，同時培養我的商業思維。」

明星身分與學業的平衡：一段自律與成長的旅程

Chantel 的紐約大學求學之路，不僅展現了她在專業選擇上的智慧，更是一場演藝事業與學術追求完美平衡的修煉歷程。作為奧克蘭拔萃女校國際文憑預科課程 (IBDP) 的學生，Chantel 的日程總是緊湊而充實：從音樂創作錄製、萬人演唱會演出，到領導課外活動——她甚至創辦了學生組織「Bring Your Own Music」（BYOM），透過音樂與舞蹈促進跨文化理解。

Chantel與 Tina (右)———Uni-D 創辦人, 在音樂劇《三•八》

她反思道：「時間管理至關重要。」

「我必須精準規劃每分每秒，才能在排練、演出與學業間取得平衡。」Chantel 善於將繁複的工作拆解為小任務，讓她始終保持高效與條理。儘管面臨多重挑戰，她對音樂的熱忱與對學術的追求始終是驅動她前進的雙重動力。在家人無條件的支持、導師專業指引以及 Tina 的悉心協助下，Chantel 憑藉著過人的決心與專注力開創出屬於自己的獨特道路。