Abstract
Identity has both personal and social facets, shaped by authentically answering ‘who I am’. Individual authenticity involves living according to one’s principles, values, and beliefs, influenced by self-awareness, independence, social connections, and reason. Philosophers such as Descartes and Aristotle have contributed to this concept, focusing on human awareness and eudaimonia, respectively. Existentialists like Sartre emphasise personal choice and self-definition, underscoring the role of authentic actions and decisions in shaping identity. Beyond individual authenticity, identity is also socially constructed. Social identity complements individual authenticity as individuals integrate their social roles with their personal self. Leisure activities, including music, offer opportunities for self-exploration, empowerment, and expression, allowing individuals to connect with their true selves while engaging with society. This paper explores how leisure shapes the identity of the Chinese diaspora through the first author’s music performance experiences in New Zealand. It explains how leisure activities facilitate cultural communication and identity expression through Chinese traditional music. Using an autoethnographic approach, it highlights how music helps Chinese diasporic individuals express their identity and navigate the complexities of dual or multiple identities within communities. These identities go beyond Chinese and diaspora communities, prompting individuals to balance their true self with multiple identities.