Season 2, Episode 2, Part 2: Min Kwon - Concert Pianist, America/Beautiful,...

你听到你听到你听到你听到 The Piano Pod with Yukimi Song with Yukimi Song. You're listening to The Piano Pod with Yukimi Song, where we talk to the brightest minds in the industry about how they're bringing the piano into the 21st century.

Last time we spoke to concert pianist Min Kwan about her early experiences as a student at Curtis and Juilliard and her latest project, the America Beautiful Piano Variations. And now, the conclusion. Who do you consider your biggest artistic influences then?

It's interesting. When I got married earlier on, I would always sneak out and watch these YouTube. YouTube was very new at the time, and I would spend until like 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 AM just surfing. And because it was such a resource of performers or ensembles or orchestras, Vienna Philharmonic, how many times can we listen to them live?

Or—

but there's like whole resource online. And my husband got so mad because, you know, I'm always like up, you know, doing this, and it looks like it's, it's something bad. But no, actually I was just listening to me, to music. And even to this day— that was like 17 years ago— but even to this day I do the same thing. And he gets mad sometimes. But I'm telling you this because he said, do you like this that much? And I say, yes, I do. So I think my influence is all of these things. I'm truly fascinated with all aspects, all performers. Now I'm really into opera, and I— because I have to put on a gala, opera gala in September for my CME. And so, you know, I can't say this is language or it's a concert that I've gone, you know, or I'm familiar with. Of course, I know all the standard ones, but I'm now really listening and watching so many different things, singers, and it's just fascinating to me, you know, that whole repertoire. And it's very different than instrumental, right? So it's another outlet of what we do as a musician. I love— I wanted to be a conductor so badly, and when I do to do it in front of Curtis Orchestra as my final exam. That dream was shattered because like I, like my stick was shaking like this, you know, and everybody's looking at me. I'm like, oh my God, what am I gonna do? At least at the piano you can hide if you're, you know, you can try to control your shaking hand, whatever. But yeah, playing the piano and conducting was one of my dreams or I love orchestral repertoire. I love the sound. And so I think the key is not to be limited by our instrument and the space that we have here, you know, and that's, I think, what limits us. And of course, being in conservatory, going to competitions, I was in that place also where I just got stuck here. How to play this, you know. And I have to say, as a musician, that was one of my least happy, joyful times. Actually, at times I was miserable because like I really felt this— I don't think this is why I want to be a musician, you know. I don't think this is how— like playing Chopin etude, Debussy etude for competition, you know, working on this repertoire, you know. I don't, you know, and I'm so glad I found my way out. And it was either through chamber music, which I love, you know, listening to this orchestra I told you I always, I was so sad as a pianist I couldn't be in an orchestra. And always programming, producing, planning events, concerts with other musicians. So I kind of had to find my way through it to make it a fulfilling life that I knew was there for me. And even these days, I feel very sad that a lot of young musicians, when they get stuck, and I think in a way that's why I started the Center for Musical Excellence, because I wanted to really provide a community support system for them to also show them there is, you don't have to be Lang Lang, you don't have to win this competition. And even when you do, that's not the end of it. It doesn't mean you're immediately going to be happy and successful. Of course not, right? We all know that. But we all love music just as much as the person who won the competition. So how do we make most out of it, our passion, our talent? So that's what the center really is.

Wow. Yeah, I was going to ask you about that, but you answered some questions, so that's wonderful. So from your own struggle, struggle as a musician, but it seems like you had also the right support system and mentorship, and so that's why you are who you are right now. So is that the desire that you, um, caused to create this nonprofit organization for young musicians?

Yes, yes, yes.

What was actually missing in this modern, uh, the students and artists of the 21st century to cause you to do this nonprofit?

Well, I remember during one of my sabbaticals from the university that I, I finally had the time to do something to help students not just coming to study with me at Rutgers or auditioning, but just young artists in general, because I would see them auditioning 10, 15 different schools. Like when I was going auditioning. I only went to— I would only audition for Curtis and only audition for Juilliard because I knew this is where I wanted to go, this is who I wanted to study. Of course, it was a very, very stupid thing, but nowadays, you know, touring 15 different schools and not really knowing, it just shows them they are lost and they are kind of, you know, throwing dice and see what, what happens. And I feel like as someone who's gone through this path, I could be the mentor and I could show them the right path so sometimes they don't waste time, energy, and money resource sometimes. And also wanted to create a place where all of us, the mentors, come together. And it's not difficulty with choosing a teacher is that sometimes the teachers can get very possessive. You only study with me, you don't go to this festival, you come to my festival this summer, or, you know, this kind of thing. Also, you can't really audition for 2 or 3 teachers at the same school because they will find out about it, you know. So a lot of these things are very awkward situations that young people need guidance on how to manage, you know. So that's kind of how it started, and then it of course grew to something. So I— first few years we had a festival in New York with some of my colleagues. I called them up, like Jerry Loenthal and Bob McDonald, and look, this is my desire, and will you join me? You know, and, you know, these people saying yes, and students came, and it was very small-scale but kind of like a place that was too good to be true because they had lessons with all these amazing teachers from all these different schools, and they didn't have to pick one, you know. Um, and that was kind of like my dream vision. Even now, I always send my students to other teachers, other festivals. You should go experience this, and then, you know, um So that's one. And then also giving musicians opportunity beyond just giving the best lesson on Beethoven Sonata. You know, they actually need a connection, or, you know, for you to call up somebody, you know, conductor or presenter or whatever, or even creating a concert for them, or even matching them with a patron. So we started doing this and just kind of one thing led to another, and I was very lucky that because I think I'm a spokesperson that is also a musician, that was also a struggling young musician at one point, and I think to patrons this is more compelling than just an executive of nonprofit coming in to talk to them, you know.

What do you think about being a 21st century musician? Classical musician. So that's something we really have to talk about. We are all here as piano teachers, and we feel things are moving quite rapidly due to all the technologies that are available, to so many other variables that we, we have to think. So We think of going to this, you know, famous music schools, oh, you're supposed to be practicing hours, hours of the day, which is true, but in the end, is that really realistic after you are done with this, you know, Conservatory? And so there's the real life right in front of you, and how are you going to face that. So is that something part of the mentorship that you give to your students?

Yeah, sure, I think so. And I think pandemic last couple years actually brought all these questions to kind of more forefront urgency because a lot of musicians, young artists, are now struggling after having so many limitations imposed upon them, right? For me personally, I think I was lucky in that I was always that very curious, kind of restless human being in that it just— one was not enough for me, or, you know, going to competition was not enough, playing Chopin concerto well was not enough. But I think this is something definitely that can be shown or guided by a mentor. I think important thing is for young musicians to not be sidetracked by short-term goals, meaning let me do this jury well, let me get an A, or let's get this degree, you know, because that really is not what being a musician is all about. And I think that kind of goal is what makes them trip and fall, you know. So having a more broad sense of why do I want to be a musician, How can I contribute in return? Because it's only when I give, really, that comes back to you. And it's kind of very life's natural process, I think. Just like when you give a concert and then the audience gives you back that feeling and we need each other, that kind of thing. And I think it's same for teacher and students and musicians is that It's recreating, using our instrument to do something else. And nowadays I see also a lot of efforts being made to be creative that way. People are going into unusual venues like veterans' homes or hospitals or reaching out, right, or nursing homes, you know. When I was growing up, that was not done. And I remember actually I walked into a assisted living when I was a student because I also needed to make money. And then I thought they might need, they might need some music. And I remember walking into the reception and I said, hey, I'm a pianist and my sister plays violin, can we come and play, you know, some, you know, I literally did that. Can you believe that? And then I got my first $100. But wow, those things have done a lot. And but it's not something music students should feel ashamed of, or, you know, it's not something you pick and choose. Music is music. Human beings are human beings. Your audience is everywhere. They're not just at Carnegie Hall, you know. They may be your next-door neighbor, or they may be, you know, somebody in trouble, you know. So I think if you start thinking this way, and I do believe that's what being 21st century musician is all about, it's not a specific goal of how many concertos I play with which orchestra. Right.

So can I ask, what do you see for yourself in the future? Do you have any interesting projects coming up or things that are still in the idea phase? We would love to hear about them.

Yeah, I always have ideas and projects in my mind. That's why I don't sleep at night. It's so exciting to be a musician. And many projects, of course, don't really happen. But, but still, it's a process because one thing leads to another. I really believe in that. So it's never wasted, you know, idea, creativity is never wasted, you know. So I am still finishing and continuing this America Beautiful project, and hopefully, you know, more people will even want to come on board. And, you know, when I filmed it, it's first time learning, first time performing, first time filming. And so think about it, you know, when So it's not really fair to compare to, let's say, a very famous pianist playing same concerto 200 times. Yeah? So I'm not there yet, but I want to be there by playing these new pieces as much as I can and to do justice to the vision of each piece, the composer, right? So that's one. And as artistic director and also executive director of CME, it's a nonstop work of fundraising, reaching new patrons, new friends, and connecting our young musicians. Also scouting for new talents, which I'm doing with opera singers now, and putting on events. September 25th, we have our gala, annual gala. And with pandemic, we used to do it indoor in a concert hall, continued by like a ballroom dinner at a hotel or something like that. But as of last year, we moved it to outdoor. So it's like a fall festival. It will take place near where I live in the countryside in Edminster, New Jersey. And our friend who has this 100-acre outdoor— it's meadow overlooking the hill and the mountains. It's just really beautiful, dreamy. And we're going to have a stage set up with orchestra. Half is opera gala, half I'm going to play Beethoven Choral Fantasy with our orchestra and choir. And, you know, it's like family event, and also there is going to be food truck, silent auction, arts and crafts vendors, you know what I mean? It's just again using music to bring people together and just everyone having a good time, you know? And we also have a bluegrass band opening the act for the classical, so it's just not just one type of music either, it's, it's just all kinds. And we're gonna have sushi roll to hot dog and donuts to pizza, so again all kinds of food there, you know. Everyone to come.

They want to be a part of that.

Yeah, to alcohol, bourbon tasting, to, you know, apple cider, you know. So yeah, that's kind of my kind of event, you know. I am in that not minimalistic, I'm like maximalistic, more the better, more the merrier. And this is going to be that kind of festival. So again, um, and, and we have what's called Crystal Society members, so that's more by membership. More exclusive group of friends, and we gather monthly. It could be house concerts or wine tasting, you know, and it's just— and we always feature our young musicians, so for them to get to know them intimately. And so it's like building community, building friendship, and what better ways to do it than through, you know, music.

Wow. This is really exactly how I have imagined, you know, you again, even though I have known you basically from watching you, you know, on the social media. But I think you're just such a passionate and authentic person, you know, that you share your love, your passion, and you want to help people. And I also know that I believe your husband is a doctor, right? I remember watching this interview on GQ, is that— and that was your husband.

Wow, yeah, Clara, I'm so impressed. You know more about me than I do.

And I believe you're, you're Your sister married a famous tenor, right? I also was a big fan of his singing as well. And so my impression is that I think you're someone who was so good at connecting dots, right? And then you kind of— all these things happened, but I'm sure it happened for a reason. You worked hard all your life, and now you— I believe your festival also happens in Vienna in the summer. Is that correct? You bring these musicians. So we have to wrap up, unfortunately, soon. But I just want to leave our audience with one last question before we go into a very fun segment, but I will explain. But what is your one advice for all the musicians coming up, the next generation? I know there are still so many of us— them in school, actually. Part of me still have this little secret dream that I might come to Rutgers to study with you. I never got my doctorate. And I thought, well, I didn't want to do it early, but I I thought maybe when I, you know, I'm all established, I will come back and talk. So what is your advice for younger generation of musicians? Younger generation of musicians or pianists or just artists, let's say, in general, especially after this pandemic, right? And you, I know you have answered quite a bit of it already, but, you know, for musicians that are currently still in school, for example, people that, you know, as you say, there's probably a lot of limitations still. You know, some of them I know that are maybe stuck in other countries, and even young artists that some of us, we interviewed some of them, they had artist visa and then they went back and they couldn't come back. So what's your—

yeah, well, you know, the thing is, I mean, the lesson in music is same as lesson in life, is that I'm also, you know, learning every day, but because I have a little more experience and age ahead of these young musicians that you're talking about, is that I think we've had some dark times, very, you know, discouraging times, but something always comes out of this. And using this time to actually maybe take a step back and really think, how much do I love music? How much do I love this profession, or how much, you know, do I want to be in it? And it's a, it's a, it's a very good question to ask because many of us maybe have come this path because it was kind of the easiest thing to do or natural thing to do, or parents supported it, or for one reason or another. But, and, and it's not a bad thing to just, just rethink, right? And, and what do I want to do with it? I have plenty of young colleagues who's now learning coding or has kind of found a different outlet, you know, performing arts, music administration, or photography, or you don't have to be a performer. There's many ways to be a musician. I think that's what I want to emphasize on, you know, and it's not necessarily on how well you play this one piece of music that really isn't gonna get you there. So that's my advice. And to really, yeah, think about and being creative. And people think it's two different things, that we only play the things that's put in front of me, but even that takes creativity, you know. And every time we're moving something, voice or physical movement, something is happening. There's an energy there. And, you know, I always say it's a chamber music between left and right., you know, even when you're playing by yourself, or it's, it's not anatomy and science of what's happening with your body, you know, it's a constant kind of exploration, isn't it? An experiment of today, you know, I, I, my shoulder hurts, or today I'm going to experiment, my left arm is slow, or, you know, I'm talking for a violinist or pianist or instrumentalist, but But take every day as a new kind of new day to explore. That's what I do. And it can— then you can never get stuck, I think. And also do that for others around you. You know, I play these games with my girls and that— there you go. They are very talented. They play piano, violin, cello, but they don't want to be musicians. And I understand that it's not for everyone, right? Um, and music— who said this? Music is not really a profession, it's a, it's really a mission. You know, I heard that recently, and that I think that's a very good way of putting it. It's not a job, right? Yeah. And so you're not looking for a job, you know, it's not just a profession, it really has to become a way of life, right? And if that fulfills you, and if that's what you need, and you're going to be very unhappy if you don't do that, then this is a life for you.

Wow, that is so beautiful. Thank you. I'm sure our audience would really appreciate all these insightful thoughts and ideas. I actually, I remembered one of the colleagues, younger colleague I used to work with, William Oh. I believe he also did his PhD or DMA at Rutgers. Yeah. And he also is now a quite well-known photographer. And so, you know, that's right.

That's right.

Right. I know both of all of his siblings. We all went to Kansas. I mean, they were much younger, but yeah. So anyway, so that's a beautiful wrap up. And well, we are going to go into our last segment of the show, which I forgot to inform you in the beginning. So this will be a big surprise for you. It's called the rapid fire questions. So each of us will have some silly little questions, very short answers. Don't get scared, we will be kind.

It's like one of those talk show, the quick question I have to answer very quickly. Oh, how fun!

Okay, you got it, that's right. So I will be the first one to go, and are you ready?

Okay, as ready as I will ever be.

Okay, awesome. Short answers, good. What is your comfort food? I know you're also a foodie.

Oh my God, why does that stop me right now?

Porridge.

Oh my God, in Korean.

We are the true Asians here, right? Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Dogs, great. What is your word or words to live by?

Oh, life is short.

Hmm, got it. What is the most important quality you look for in people?

Modesty.

Hmm, beautiful. What is the worst quality in people that you want to stay away from?

Arrogance.

Ding ding ding, right.

All right, my turn. Name 3 people who inspire you, living or dead.

Schubert, my mother, and my husband. Wonderful.

Which historical figure or composer would you want to take lessons from if he or she were alive?

Mozart.

And which historical figure or composer would you want to hang out with at the bar?

Rahmaninov.

Oh, interesting.

He's Aries and I'm a Leo, and we're supposed to like have a big chemistry.

Perfect pair.

So it's my turn. So name one piece in your current playlist.

Oh, it's BTS.

Of course. That is funny.

Great choice, yes. Okay, name a book title you're currently reading.

Oh, book. I haven't read a book in a while, but actually I'm reviewing my German, so it's a German textbook.

Oh wow, wonderful. Okay, you get only one song or piece to listen for the rest of your life. What is it?

It's actually Hey Jude.

Oh, okay. So the last one, it's the fill in the blank. Music is blank.

Music is— wow, you can say so many things. Music is life. Thank you.

You win!

Well done.

Thank you, you guys are fun. It's been a pleasure.

Oh, thank you so much.

It's all ours.

Exactly. Oh my God, we had such a good time, and there are so many more questions we want to ask, but unfortunately there's not enough time in the show, and then you just have to come back next time and continue our conversation.

Love to. Hope to see you guys all live in person.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Concert or something.

Thank you, Dr. Mend, for joining us today and sharing your insights and expertise, and thank you for our audience for tuning in. For anyone who is still interested in learning more about Dr. Kwong's beautiful projects, you can find her project American Beautiful online at www.american-beautiful.com, and information about herself and the CME at www.mingkwong.net or www.cmemusic.org.

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We will see you at the next episode of The Piano Pod with Yukimi Song with Yukimi Song with Yukimi Song. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Dr. Song.

Bye, everybody.

Very nice.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Bye. Thank you.