It has been well over 30 years playing the piano. It was never my intention to become a musician, but it was my mother's. Despite the fact that she suffered a Polio which disabled her left foot, it didn't stop her from becoming one of the first disabled-women to acquire Master's degree from one of the top universities in Seoul, South Korea. And her compassion in classical music has greatly influenced me to love what I do today.
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I was also born in South Korea, but my family immigrated to Canada when I was 12. My musical journey continued as I have enrolled at the Royal Conservatory of Music with Peter Longworth. A lifetime mentor and a good friend over past 20 years who heavily influenced my musicianship and the life itself. Then, I have moved to Montreal University for a little over a year to study with Marc Durand, a great professor, whom helped me to become one of the two Canadian pianists to compete in the prestigious International Chopin Competition in Poland, 2005. I quickly fell in love with Europe, which I have decided to live for several years. I was competing in competitions, studying at the Royal Conservatoire de Bruxelles, performing, touring around Europe, in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain. where I have also encountered and influenced by one of the leading pianists in the world, Martha Argerich. The most wonderful person, who helped me to understand music.
I wanted to desperately fulfill my lack of understanding in music theory, structural analysis and the profound history behind classical music. I left Europe to attend Juilliard School in New York City, where I ended up spending 10 years studying music again. Living a decade in NYC was truly an inspiring experience for me to work as a pianist, conductor, teacher and being a student.
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After 15 years of studying abroad. Each and everyday, I still feel like I become a better musician, I am always searching for new answers to my own understanding of colouring, structuring and more to shape my individuality in music.
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"I am never satisfied with my music, that's why I will always continue to seek answers"
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Join my endless musical journey, because it's the new chapter "Back Home!"
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2018 Toronto
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For me, Brahms has always been a difficult language to understand. Good old friend Peter Longworth, he was the guy who could really play Brahms well. I have learned so much from his exceptional understandings in Brahms and Beethoven. He would tell me 'Isaac, it's important to surround yourself with good musicians', and Peter was definitely one of the good musician I would always learn and get inspired to motivate myself.
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2018 Toronto