An animated sound

Maik Guo, aka Animenz, a Chinese-German pianist, who has creatively adapted songs from cartoons into piano works. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Many teenagers don't have any passion for music. They study it only for good grades, and genuine hobbies are filtered out," says his father, Guo Jun.

Maik Guo says he is very thankful for the way he was raised and the freedom he was given when he was young.

Children will definitely follow through with something if they are really interested in it, he says.

Unfortunately, many people still don't really understand why they are learning music and consider practicing instruments as "homework".

"Music should never be seen as homework. And if you are forced to learn music, you will not be attracted to it," he says.

He speaks from experience. When he was 16, he wanted to watch a lot of Japanese animations, but his parents wouldn't let him.

He got a job packing soap during summer vacation instead. He was paid 12 euros ($14) per hour, plus 10 cents per piece. So he moved fast.

"My father gave me an iPod so I could listen to music while I was packing. I packed the soap following the rhythm of the music."

He earned 1,350 euros with his summer job and bought a computer with the money.

Guo's personal interest in the piano drove him to eventually play it seriously.