18. Do You Believe In Second Chances? Julian Quander

Do You Believe In Second Chances? By Julian Quander

Do you believe in second chances? Well, I do. My name is Julian Quander and in 2010, I was blessed with an opportunity of a lifetime that would change my life forever.

Well, for starters, I’m from the United States of America, and I was born in Washington DC. I grew up right outside the border of Washington D.C. and the state of Maryland in a city called Silver Spring. I have two older brothers by the name of Dominic and Chris. So, I guess it’s safe to say, I’m the baby of the family.

My China dream began in 2010. I was offered a contract to be the lead singer in a band called Deluxe. At the time, Deluxe was performing inside the brand new 5 Star hotel called The Park Hyatt. The Park Hyatt is inside the tall building that looks like a bottle opener. While in the US, I was looking for something new and different. I had just won a major singing competition in my city, and I wanted to get more experience performing live and this opportunity felt perfect, so I took it.  My family couldn’t believe it, my friends were in doubt, but once I showed them that plane ticket headed to Pudong International Airport, they knew it was real.

When I arrived in China, the entire vibe was new and intriguing. I felt captivated by the new experience and I enjoyed it. All alone in such a big city meeting new band members and awesome people, while doing what I loved which was singing. After the singing contract was finished at the Park Hyatt, I decided to stay and take a chance at being a full-time music artist and performer here in China. It was amazing traveling to perform in many cities in China. I was able to get that real life tour experience.

What was only supposed to be 4 months turned into 3.5 years in Shanghai. After the 3.5 years, I hit a road block. I had to take break and recharge. I had trouble figuring out a real suitable plan that could benefit me to have a long-term future in China. I’ll admit; I was putting loads of stress on myself, so I gave up…. Can you believe it? I gave up and left China and went back home.

 

When I returned home, I felt defeated, I felt as though I left such a great place and a part of me was left behind. I had such a big dream for China, and didn’t get a chance to leave my mark the way I wanted to. I decided to compose and write a music album about my experience called Shanghai to D.C. During my stay back home, I made sure I kept in contact with all my friends in China. As time went on, a good Chinese friend of mine named Kevin, whom I met in Shanghai told me about this beautiful city called Xiamen.

Kevin said “Julian, I started a new company here. It’s such a peaceful city. Warm weather, wonderful people, great food and plenty of opportunity. I think you would love it here.”

So, then I told Kevin, “Wow, this is perfect timing. I just made a new music album, maybe we can do a big tour in Xiamen and other cities in China.” And with absolute enthusiasm he said “Let’s do it.”

I was home for 2 years since leaving Shanghai, and here I am on the brink of another adventure back to the beautiful country of China. This time I told myself, “I’m going to do it differently. I’m going to live more in the moment, enjoy the experience more, learn the culture, and the language.”

When I landed in Xiamen, I felt that warm summer breeze, I saw the beautiful blue gaze on top of the water shining off the reflection of the sun. It felt like home, and till this day, it’s been my home.

There it was, my second chance granted, and I did it bigger and better than before. I was focused and mentally prepared with a plan in action.

The Shanghai To D.C. tour kicked off at the Exhibition Center in 2015 and was boatloads of fun and it lead to many other amazing opportunities in China.

I have been in Xiamen for 7 years thus far, and in 2017, I went on to create my own Cultural Media/Record Label company here called JQ Nation. This city is special, and the community around us is loving.

I can go on and on about what China means to me, but I think it’s best to relay that message from my heart in a song I wrote in 2018. I made my dream project happen when I wrote a song called “I Love China”. This fun-loving tune gets to the core of how awesome this place really is. And till this day, I still perform it at every event I take part in. “Dajia Hao, Zhongguo Hao”.

China is a special place and will always remain in my heart forever. I believe in second chances because I am living proof of one.

Julian Quander

 

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