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Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea; Lived in
L.A., Peoria, and Vienna
Education: BA at Illinois Wesleyan University;
MFA at Bard College; Artist Diploma at Stadt Wien Konservatorium
1. Are any of your family members musicians? If
so, what do they do?
My grandmother and my mother are passionate singers.
My sister Jahee is a good violist, and is a case
manager for a social firm in Chicago.
My father is the most supportive and courageous
audience member I know. When I was conducting a concert in Bloomington,
there was a major electical accident where all the orchestra lights
weren't working. Everyone in the orchestra and audience members
in the concert hall was scared, except for my father. Without any
hesitation, my father dropped his camcorder and jumped onto the
stage to fix the lights. The lights were fixed immediately; the
musicians could see the music; the show continued. My father didn't
care about what others thought of him; he just did what he needed
to do at that moment. He broke his camcorder but saved a concert.
My kitty Cleo meows when she hears Brahms Piano
Trio in C Minor.
2. What has been the highlight of your One World
Symphony career to date?
Mozart's "Requiem" benefit concerts may have been the most healing
and humanistic experience. Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" benefit
concerts may have been the most inspiring and powerful experience. Flying
back and forth to conduct Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" may
have been the most absurd and emotional experience because my father had
a stroke. "Cellobration" with 17 seventeen volunteering amazing
cellists from all over the States may have been one of the most unique experiences.
Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" NYC tour may have been one of the
most challenging and rewarding eperiences.
3. What would you say is your favourite piece
of music?
BACH! U2 (in the '80s) Symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Sibelius,
Shostakovich Chamber music by Beethoven and Brahms Mozart's operas, concerti,
serenades Stravinsky's ballets
Since I've been on an Atkins diet on Stravinsky, maybe "The Rite of
Spring" or maybe something completely opposite, Mahler's Third Symphony
-- last movement: "What Love Tells Me..."
4. What's the best thing about One World Symphony?
It's about the music. Everyone who performs with One World Symphony makes
sacrifices for the sake of making beautiful music together. In our current
age of focusing on micro-management, intellect and technology, our musicians
go beyond intellectualism ... imagination. Our musicians collectively come
and play for "the love of the game."
5. What music do you listen to in the car or subway?
My wife doesn't allow me to drive because I have road-rage. She drives, so
she conducts the radio. I study scores and armchair conduct in the subway...
no joke
6. What is your favourite drink?
Guinness with a tub of kimchi... since my tux has been fitting me too tight
lately, I have resorted to red wines and water and a side of kimchi
7. When you do have some free time, how do you
relax?
Running at Central or Prospect Park, playing with and getting bitten and
scratched by my kitty Cleo
8. What are your strengths?
My appetite... it is limitless
9. What are your weaknesses?
My appetite for opera and Ben & Jerry's... wished I didn't enjoy them
so much
10. Why do you continue to perform with One World
Symphony when you can perform with other ensembles that would
offer more financial benefits?
Many young conductors are in a desperate state. There are too many of us,
but there aren't many orchestras. So many of them are spending hundreds,
even thousands of dollars to attend workshops in America and Eastern Europe
to possibly conduct 10 minutes a day in a span of a week or two. I have decided
to invest my time and energies to creating and building One World Symphony.
This ensemble has given me an incredible opportunity to conduct and play
some of the greatest symphonies, operas, oratorios, and chamber music with
some of the most caring, talented professional musicians and generous people
from all over the world. My colleagues of One World Symphony have been invaluable
teachers.
11. If you weren't a musician what would you be?
Life without music would be unimaginable... Possibly a professional outdoor
long-distance runner
12. Why would you recommend to other musicians
and public to participate with One World Symphony?
Great atmosphere to make music;
the talented musicians are energetic, hungry, supportive and
caring; mouth-watering foods; fun and creative concerts; I see
lots of happy faces.
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