By Kara Lei

Many young people work as dealers with the boom of the gaming industry in Macao. Jerry Chan is one of them. However, a little bit different from an ordinary dealer, he is also an aspiring guitarist.

“I can live without a lot of money. I can live without a girlfriend. But I can never live without my guitar," said Chan, a 25-year-old dealer who works in one of the biggest casinos in Macao. Chan was totally lost in his world of music when our reporter arrived at his home. “Although I am working in the casino now, I will never give up my guitar," said Chan with his guitar in his hands.

Chan felt very frustrated in secondary school because he was not good at school work. Although he tried his best, the results turned out to be the same. The frustration drove him away from school and pushed him towards the guitar. Not long after, Chan dropped out of school and found himself a job in the casino. He also admitted that the casino’s high salary was another reason that made him give up his studies. After three years working as a dealer, Chan is now promoted to the position of a supervisor. “My job gives me confidence," said Chan.

“But, sometimes, I will miss the time when I was in secondary school," Chan said while smiling. “When I am playing guitar, the days of secondary school just flash back as they just happened yesterday; when music is flowing around, I have pictures in my mind." He spent a lot of his spare time on the guitar. As a member of a band, he felt that he is a little bit closer to his dream.

“Playing music does not mean that I have to be an artist in the future. Actually I’m quite pleased with my work now," Chan said. He is happy as long as he can still play his guitar after work.

Chan’s dream is that one day he can have a concert in his secondary school and share music with students and encourage them to chase their dreams.