Cherrie Choi: “I Haven’t Stopped — I’m Still Here!”
Singer Cherrie Choi (蔡立兒), who debuted in the 1980s, is known for her pure, sweet voice and her authentic, expressive style. Her classic hits like “How” (怎麼) and “Hopeless Love” （絕戀）still resonate deeply with music lovers today. Over the past 37 years, she has proven—with unwavering determination, a serious attitude, concrete actions, and remarkable achievements—that: “Cherrie Choi hasn’t stopped — I’m still here!” Since releasing her new single “Fly High” last September, she’s already preparing another track, showing that she’s someone who refuses to stay stagnant or simply replicate the past.
In 2022, following the pandemic, Cherrie joined a prestigious, government-recognized music academy as a faculty member. She recalled: “At the time, both the music industry and other sectors were still in a slump. But with confidence, I reached out to the academy’s director—a highly respected figure in the music world. From our very first conversation, we clicked instantly and began this journey together.”
Back in 2000, Cherrie officially mentored her first vocal student, Ella Koon (官恩娜). She shared that over two decades of private one-on-one teaching allowed her to tailor lessons to each student’s unique needs, offering a deeper and more personalized approach. At the academy, however, she was assigned to teach year-long group courses spanning four semesters, each with distinct content. “As someone whose core is rooted in songwriting and performance,” she said, “I’ve always held firm to the beliefs and principles of an artist. But stepping into the role of an academy instructor meant aligning with the school’s teaching philosophy and direction. Striking that balance was truly a challenge.”
“Two of the semesters focused on performance, which I’m familiar with and could manage confidently. But the rest—I honestly didn’t even know where to begin.” She chose the most direct and practical solution: enrolling in those courses herself as a student, paying out of pocket and seeking guidance from the senior expert who designed the curriculum. This hands-on experience allowed her to learn how to teach those subjects effectively and “borrow wisdom” to refine her vocal instruction techniques.Her unwavering determination kept her from avoiding unfamiliar topics or settling for shortcuts—like casually signing up for an online course. Instead, she faced the challenge head-on with sincerity and commitment.
On one occasion, the academy director asked her about vocal projection. In that moment, Cherrie responded with clarity: “Of course, vocal projection should be forward!” “I was truly thankful for the wisdom God gave me,” she said, “and deeply grateful to work with a director who understands my abilities and gives me opportunities to contribute in various roles and teaching tasks.”Whether facing expected challenges or sudden surprises, Cherrie has approached everything over the past two years with dedication and grace.
After stepping away from her role and busy schedule, Cherrie was finally able to focus on completing a new song she had long been preparing. She recalled the moment “Fly High” was released on September 5: “This song holds special meaning for me—it’s the first time I wrote the lyrics myself and served as producer. Through it, I wanted to tell my supporters: ‘Cherrie Choi hasn’t stopped—I’m still here!’” “This time, I broke through my own limits and tried to forge a new path. I’m thankful that Fly High performed well—it was a huge affirmation.”
She acknowledged the challenges of today’s music industry. Given her age and experience, she’s a generation apart from younger artists, and the industry tends to invest in nurturing new talent.
For Cherrie, the release wasn’t just about a new song—it was a symbol of personal transformation. She wanted to show that electronic music isn’t just for the young or trendy; seasoned artists like herself can also deliver it with excellence. “Maybe no one expected me to sing in this style,” she said, “but I want to prove I’m still growing, still walking alongside this generation. When I listen to my old albums, I can hear the changes and growth. I thank the Lord—He gave me this musical gift from the beginning, even before I knew Him. He had already prepared the way.”
As a vocal coach, Cherrie recently invited aspiring singers to sign up for lessons—either individually or in small groups of up to six people.
Currently, she’s preparing another new song, once again writing the lyrics herself. “The rhythm is a bit different from Fly High, and it’s now in the final editing stage,” she said. “I haven’t decided on the release date yet—I want my vocal condition to be more stable first. I’m also hoping to discover a new vocal style that avoids techniques that strain the vocal cords…”
At this moment, Cherrie’s heartfelt lyrics from “Fly High” echo in the air:
“Expressing my true style, seducing with song, thunderous applause and praise, From the heart I cry out in awe… In celebration, I walk with you— The new you is finally born…”
May the new you continue to shine brightly—and may the next song be born soon.
Helena
