[YZU Alumni Story] Mechanical Engineering Alumna Ya-Hsuan Wu Returned to Campus to Share Her Musical Journey from Engineer to Golden Melody Red Carpet

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Yuan Ze University held an alumni talk on November 5, inviting Class of 2005 alumna Ya-Hsuan Wu, now the accordionist of the band 88balaz, to return to campus and share with students how she carved a unique path between career and passion. The event drew an enthusiastic response, with many students staying after the session to continue the conversation.

Wu had studied music from a young age. During her years at Yuan Ze University, she joined the YZU MIDI Band Club out of her love for music and co-founded the Piano Club, becoming one of its founding members. Music played an important role throughout her college life and later became a key driving force in shaping her future.

Inspired by the film Amélie, she purchased her first accordion as a student, beginning a journey of growing alongside the instrument. After graduating, she followed a path similar to many Mechanical Engineering alumni and entered the technology industry as an engineer. Despite having a stable job, she continued to pursue her passion for music and explored event and portrait photography, enriching her life with multidimensional experiences.

Her turning point came when she learned by chance that 88balaz was looking for an accordion player. Supported by her years of musical training, she decided without hesitation to join the band and officially step onto the stage. This year, the band was nominated for the Golden Melody Awards, and Wu walked the red carpet alongside her bandmates, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

During the talk, Wu performed live on the accordion, filling the room with warm and powerful music that drew resounding applause. Afterward, students from both the Band Club and the Piano Club gathered around her with questions, turning the lecture into a lively mini-gathering.

Wu encouraged students not to confine themselves to a predetermined path. She reminded them that only by trying different things could they discover what they truly loved. Her story demonstrated that one’s major does not define one’s future, and that passion can lead to entirely new possibilities.

Yuan Ze University expressed hope that more alumni stories like Wu’s would broaden students’ perspectives on the future and thanked her for sharing an inspiring and heartfelt journey.