Miami Student

Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Features

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a common question we've all had to answer at some point in our lives. Deep down you might admit you want to be a famous rock star, singing your heart out on stage (or in front of your bathroom mirror). But, for some, you know the practical decision would be to become a doctor, like your parents want you to.

But, can you do both? Can a doctor be a rock star?

It's the same question the founders of Passion and Profession, asked themselves five years ago.

The three members of Passion and Profession define their non-profit as an ethnic, cultural and professional identity-based motivational speaking workshop that aims to encourage students to balance their interests and professional goals.

Passion and Profession came to be after its founders shared their childhood stories with each other of growing up in a multicultural community focused on professional and fiscal success and not following unreliable dreams.

Following convention with unconventional plans

Dr. Asif Khan, a 1992 graduate of Miami University, is a doctor-turned-rock-star. Khan is a practicing allergy and immunology physician and contributing writer to Modern Drummer magazine. Not only does he have a stable career, but he also gets to follow his love as the drummer for "Johnny Hi-Fi."

After realizing their similarities, Khan and two co-founders of multi-million dollar companies are now able to live out their dreams and perform in their group, Johnny Hi-Fi.

"It was funny because after we talked, we realized we all had the same kind of experiences," Khan said.

Khan said he felt pressure from his family to become a doctor like his father. He wanted to follow his dream, but his family stressed the importance of having a financially stable career. "He was fighting it, and I was fighting it," Khan said. "In the end, I gave up and they 'won' the battle, in terms of getting my mind toward a traditional profession."

The other two members of Johnny Hi-Fi, Eric Hsu and Justin Matsubara, had similar professional tug of wars with their families.

Because of his childhood, Khan said his experience at Miami was not the typical college experience.

"I was so afraid of college at the time," Khan said. "I was the first in our entire family to have gone to a U.S college and didn't have the luxury to go outside the realm of true scholarship. I have some great memories from that place, but I basically just went to class and definitely no parties."

Though it wasn't the typical experience, Khan said he felt proud knowing he had succeeded.

"Over time you slowly start to understand your parents more and more," Khan said. "Even though I still had desires to become a musician, I was happy because my parents were proud I had accomplished (becoming a doctor)."

"We grew up and were told you either pursue your career and give up your passion or go for your passion and give up your livelihood," said Hsu, guitarist for Johnny Hi-Fi.

But Hsu said this isn't what Passion and Profession believes. He said they know it's possible to have both.

"This is what we try to do," Hsu said. "We try to balance the two. We believe that we can do it."

Hidden guitars and surprise endings

The men of Johnny Hi-Fi are not your stereotypical rock stars.

"Not a lot of people are used to seeing a Chinese front man singing like Radio Head," Khan said.

Hsu said he agreed and has faced constant roadblocks as a performer because of his race.

"Whenever you see Asian-Americans in fine arts they are always playing the nerdy character," Hsu said. "I mean, our biggest Asian-American superstar was William Hung, who people completely made fun of."

Both Khan and Hsu said the members of Johnny Hi-Fi grew up in multicultural homes that focused on financial stability through a traditional career with little focus on the arts.

Though the group members are passionate about music, they never thought it was possible to share their passion with their family.

Hsu said he remembered buying his first guitar when he was a junior in high school, without telling his parents, because he was scared to tell them.

"I hid my guitar in my closet and at night I would close my door and try to learn songs," Hsu said. "For the longest time they never knew I learned guitar until my very first performance at my high school talent show."

Though the men of Johnny Hi-Fi have become successful in other careers, their passion for music never went away.

"Honestly as any true passion is, I don't think I have any control over it," Khan said. "I'm almost 40 now and it just keeps going. Being a doctor isn't really a passion but I do enjoy it quite a bit. A passion is something you can't stop feeling, almost like a fire that keeps going inside you and that never was the case for me with medicine."

So, can a doctor be a rock star? Though it seems unlikely, the members of Johnny Hi-Fi are proof you can do both.

"You can do anything you want," Hsu said. "I am proof that this is true."

Johnny Hi-Fi in Oxford

Jessica Schmitt of Miami's University Development Office works with re-engaging alumni throughout the country. She contacted Khan to bring the program back to his alma mater.

"I am extremely excited," Schmitt said. "I feel that this program is perfect for all Miami students and that it will benefit all who attend."

This workshop will feature a discussion with the founders of Passion and Profession, followed by a question and answer session and will end with a 45-minute musical performance.

This workshop will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in Shriver multipurpose room and is free and open to the public.

Nancy Arthur, director of communication for the College of Arts and Sciences, helped organize the event.

"This goes all the way from high school through being an undergraduate," Arthur said. "Along with Miami students, we hope a lot of Oxford community members will come as well."

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