March 30, 1987
South Korea
Received her bachelor’s degree from the Korean National University of Arts. She continued her studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and the Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance. At present she is pursuing an advanced degree from the Franz Liszt School of Music in Weimar under Prof. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt. In 2011 she won the Grand Prix at the Normandy International Forum (France) and also came in third at the Witold Lutosławski International Cello Competition in Warsaw. In 2014 she won titles in the Pablo Casals International Competition in Budapest and the Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann Competition in Berlin. In 2007 she made her début solo concert at Kennedy Center in Washington. She has played in major concert halls in America, Europe, and Asia with leading orchestras. She is a regular participant in the programmes of the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation.
Which people would you invite as guests to your dream dinner party?
Hilary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
What is your favorite meal?
I'm a food-lover, I like to discover and try different kinds of food. If I choose one dish, that would be French cuisine. Crêpes , confit de canard, boeuf bourguignon, desserts cheese and wine!
Do you have a favorite motto or proverb that you live your life by?
Carpe diem.
If you were 80 years old, what advice would you give to young people today?
Travel as much as possible. Have your mind blown, eat interesting food, meet people from all over the world, have an adventure. Experience different culture, learn new languages. It enriches your life, it will give you a different perspective, you will get a sense of what globalization looks like.
What would you like people to say about you?
Bubbly, witty, graceful and colorful.
How do you overcome the stage fright? / What is your ritual before going on stage?
I just go off by myself, rarely speaking unless spoken to. This is just how I get in the zone and manage nervousness. Sometimes I eat some snacks and sleep for 10 minutes.
What's the "most played" non-classical track on your phone?
Mostly jazz. It had to be you, Bewitched, Misty, Isn't it romantic, I will be seeing you, la vie en rose, sous le ciel de Paris, non je ne regrette rien, si tu vois ma mère and so on.
You are on a desert island and can bring only 3 items, what do you bring?
My cello, a bow, and some music!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Paris. I have been lucky to live in the city that I love the most in the world.
What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word competition?
Playing certain pieces in a particular setting and playing for a specific audience. It's like the Olympic Games.
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