Violinist Yooky Kim
Violinist Yooky Kim first started her violin lesson at the age of 4 in London, UK and since then her passion for music never stopped by continuing her musical education in Japan, S. Korea, and the United States.
She was in the Seoul Youth Orchestra(2nd Violin principal), and Seoul Orchestra(1st Violin associate principal). Her love for performance led her to chamber music and founded the Kai String Quartet. She also performed as a soloist in numerous places including Jessen Auditorium and Bob Bullock Museum(TX, USA), City Hall of Beijing(China), Sejong Center of the Performing Arts, Seoul Arts Center(S. Korea) and Centre Paroissial Protestant(Geneva, Switzerland).
Yooky attended the Colorado College Music Festival, won the Best Prize in the 18th National Students Competition(S. Korea), Distinguished Award in IBLA Grand Prize Competition(Italy). Yooky graduated from the Seoul Arts High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music, Master of Violin Performance degree in Yonsei University(S. Korea) and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.
Teaching Methods
I use both traditional method and Suzuki method. Some will learn more advanced techniques while others will focus on building basics, even in the same progress. Since every student is different and unique, lessons will be adjusted according to students’ progress and needs. Please note, faster is not always better for everyone. Consistency and patience is the key to successfully mastering the violin.
Teaching Philosophy
1. The more you know, the more you enjoy
While each lesson will be adjusted according to the students’ needs and individuality, I have a firm belief in teaching everyone with equal passion and technical quality. Whether you are a music major student or want to learn the violin just enough to play in your school orchestra, I teach the technical and musical aspects of the music as much as possible during lessons so every student has a better chance to understand the joy of music. Knowing the aspects of the music helps you know what you’re doing. It is just like understanding a language!
2. Relax and sing (The techniques)
What makes the violin so difficult and brilliant at the same time are those showy techniques and heart touching sound, the sorrow and joy in the music, and behind a spectacular performance, there are layers of techniques and musical ideas. Learning how to master the violin with all of these aspects might seem to be a long process and sometimes, well many times, you will feel stuck without any progress. It is hard to resist the frustration and anxiety when it is not working while you are putting a lot of effort into it. It easily leads you to the ‘quit-the end’ path. Don’t burn yourself out until you get to the end.
With the right method and right amount of practice and patience, you will get them eventually. While then, I encourage my students to relax, listen to a lot of music, and sing through the violin.
Playing the violin is even more difficult to play if you have a tight muscle in your arm and frustration all over your mind. It applies to everyone, no matter how advanced you are, or if you just started the violin.
Language
Lessons are available in English, Korean and Japanese.