Coming to Berklee and the US Experience

When I was looking into colleges during high school, there were almost no non-classical violin teachers in Korea. A jazz pianist I knew introduced me to Berklee, mentioning that they had a great string department. I also heard that Berklee was coming to Seoul for their Asian audition tour, which made it easier for me to audition without too much pressure.

My four years at Berklee were filled with music and enriched by amazing friends and teachers. It was truly a vibrant musical experience.

Jazz and Alternative Music in Korea

I'm not sure how it is for new musicians debuting now, but when I started performing in Seoul about ten years ago, the lines between jazz and alternative musicians weren't that distinct. Musicians from different genres blended well together and often shared the same venues.

The audience also appreciated a variety of styles—jazz, funk, pop, rock—without strict boundaries. They enjoyed the music itself regardless of genre.

Dear Jazz Orchestra

The inspiration behind Dear Jazz Orchestra comes entirely from Eugene Friesen, my mentor and teacher. I have such fond memories of playing in the Berklee World Strings, which he founded. After returning to Korea and exploring different styles of music, I found myself longing to recreate that orchestra experience.

In Korea, there are so many talented string players, and I began looking for musicians who were passionate about playing beyond classical music. That's how the orchestra came together.

There's such a big joy in coming together and making music as a group. Most of the time, when I write or arrange music for Dear Jazz Orchestra, I just think of our faces and the time we share together.

Vision for the Future

The violin, and string instruments in general, are quite challenging to express yourself with, but that difficulty also means they allow for a very refined and personal expression.

Without boundaries of genre, field, or color, I want to become a musician who can naturally express my life through my music. And I hope that my journey can be a source of hope, even in a small way, for others who are walking or just starting on a similar path.

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