This picture reminds me of an important moment and how I changed my thinking.
Five years ago I took the easy way out of a difficult situation.
I went on a retreat to Saipan.
For a long time I sat and thought about Saipan’s attitude toward freedom, rules, and education.
I realized that rules are simply creations and I do not have to always follow them.
Afterward my mind became stronger.
I would never again take the easy way.
I could understand how Edison and Einstein did not fit in.
I was not interested in the normal way of thinking.
I felt my new existence in my strongly-beating heart and soul.
During university my favorite composers were György Ligeti and Igor stravinsky.
My study of Ligeti inspired my composition:
Mirror
(Score, Very large PDF)
But, my favorite person was Leonardo da Vinci.
I wanted to have a similar ability as his creative and integrated thinking:
painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor,
anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer.
I want to do the same by realizing the relationships and integration in my fields.
I was a lecturer for 7 years:
Korea National University of Arts:
- History of Dance Music
- Music Harmony,
- Rhythms,
- Vocals,
- Piano Playing
- Percussion Playing,
- Ballet & Classic Musical Analysis
- Musical Cross-Functional Improvisation
Sunhwa Arts High School:
- Composition and Harmony
Sangji Youngseo University & Cool Jazz Academy:
- Classical Piano
- Jazz Piano
- Music Composition
- Jazz Improvisation
My aim as a musical arts educator was to give my students the basics of music theory
and practice so that they could be empowered to make the music their own.
Life was good. But…starting in 2013,
I put all of my positions on hold to develop my other abilities.
I broke the standard Korean Rules.
I flew to the US.
Soyoung Joung 