What does it mean to build a creative life on your own terms?
For flutist, educator, and entrepreneur Serena Huang, the answer goes far beyond winning auditions or performing in prestigious concert halls. After growing up in the New York/New Jersey area, studying at Temple University and Juilliard, and eventually moving to Paris for her master’s degree, Serena has created a career that blends performance, education, entrepreneurship, and community.
On this episode of La Vie Creative, Serena shares how living in France transformed her perspective on creativity, why collaboration beats competition, and how artists can build meaningful careers outside traditional paths.
From New Jersey to Paris
Serena’s move to Paris wasn’t part of an elaborate life plan—it was a leap of faith. She applied to just one master’s program, completed two years at the conservatoire, and eventually realized she wanted to build her life in France. After taking advantage of France’s post-graduation job search visa, she decided to stay and pursue a long-term creative career in Paris.
Her experience also highlighted an interesting difference between music education in the United States and France.
While American conservatories emphasized academic coursework alongside performance, Serena found Parisian training intensely focused on musicianship itself—less homework, fewer lectures, and far more time spent performing and refining technique.
Choosing Music for Yourself
Like many children, Serena first learned piano because her parents encouraged it. But everything changed when she was finally allowed to choose her own instrument.
That decision—to pick up the flute—gave her ownership over her musical journey. Through private lessons, competitions, and inspiring teachers, music slowly transformed from an extracurricular activity into a passion.
One of the biggest turning points came when her middle school band director showed students that musicians could actually make a living doing what they loved. Watching someone compose music, perform professionally, and teach made Serena realize that being an artist wasn’t just a hobby—it could become a career.
How Paris Changed Her Definition of Success
Living in France gave Serena something she believes many artists desperately need: space.
Rather than constantly chasing the next achievement, Paris encouraged her to slow down, observe, and become more thoughtful about her creative work. She explained that many of her biggest opportunities weren’t carefully planned—they emerged naturally through conversations, friendships, and unexpected collaborations.
It’s a reminder that not every career milestone can be mapped out in advance.
Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities come simply from showing up and meeting people.
Bringing Classical Music Outside the Concert Hall
One of Serena’s most exciting projects has been bringing classical music into unexpected places.
Instead of limiting performances to traditional concert venues, she has performed in:
- Living rooms
- Art galleries
- A boat on the canal
- A flotation center where audience members listened while relaxing in hammocks
- Other intimate community spaces
Her goal is simple: make classical music feel welcoming and accessible to people who might never step inside a concert hall.
These performances remove many of the barriers people associate with classical music and replace them with curiosity, conversation, and connection.
Musicians Are Entrepreneurs
One of the strongest themes throughout our conversation was that today’s artists wear many hats.
Serena is not only a performer—she’s also a teacher, podcast host, project creator, marketer, and community builder.
She challenges the common misconception that musicians simply practice all day before stepping onto a concert stage. Instead, much of her career involves reaching out to venues, pitching ideas, organizing collaborations, and creating opportunities that didn’t previously exist.
It’s entrepreneurship just as much as artistry.
Collaboration Over Competition
In an industry often defined by auditions and limited positions, Serena believes collaboration creates far more possibilities than competition ever could.
Rather than fighting over the same opportunities, artists can create entirely new ones by partnering with musicians, visual artists, designers, and other creatives.
Through these collaborations, new audiences discover classical music while everyone involved benefits from shared creativity.
It’s a refreshing reminder that creativity expands when it’s shared.
The Hidden Weight Artists Carry
Serena also spoke candidly about imposter syndrome.
While hosting the Creative Baggage Podcast, she interviewed highly accomplished musicians and discovered that even the most successful artists wrestle with self-doubt.
Many spend years auditioning, facing rejection, and questioning themselves before reaching the milestones others admire. Those difficult years often remain invisible.
Knowing that even world-class performers experience these feelings can be incredibly reassuring for emerging creatives.
Creating Opportunities Through The Lost Creative
Another project close to Serena’s heart is The Lost Creative.
Originally pitched during an international innovation program in Budapest, the platform helps artists discover grants, internships, competitions, fellowships, and creative opportunities that are often difficult to find through traditional searches.
Her goal was to make career development more accessible, particularly for musicians who don’t always know what possibilities exist beyond orchestra auditions or teaching positions.
Sometimes all it takes is finding one opportunity that changes everything.
Finding Inspiration Beyond Your Own Creative Bubble
When burnout strikes, Serena intentionally steps outside the world of classical music.
She attends visual art exhibitions, listens to techno music, explores other creative communities, and spends time experiencing work completely unrelated to her own discipline.
For anyone visiting Paris in search of creative inspiration, she recommends Centquatre (104 Paris)—a vibrant cultural space filled with dancers, musicians, rehearsals, performances, exhibitions, cafés, and artists creating in real time.
Connect with Serena Huang
You can learn more about Serena’s work through:
- Instagram: @serenahuangflute
- Website: serenahuangflute.com
Whether you’re a musician, artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone searching for a more meaningful creative life, Serena’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always about following the traditional path.
Sometimes the most fulfilling career is the one you build yourself.
