Today we’d like to introduce you to Hyewon Kim.
Hyewon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am originally from South Korea. I started going to the community college in Washington state where I planned to study nursing, then one day, I just walked into the choir room while they were doing the rehearsal. I do not know what happened. I just heard the music, saw the door was open and walked in without even thinking. The conductor invited me to sing with them, and that’s really all where it started.
The conductor was the dean of music of the college and recognized my talent or so, he recommended I take private voice lessons. I continued and changed my major to music. While studying music myself, I was fascinated by what teachers do. I wanted to share my gift and knowledge with others, so they could possibly help others! And here I am!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Since English is not my mother language, everything was just twice more challenging for me. I could not even get into English 101 class when I first decided to go to college.
After that, I had this mean stereotype rumor people say about me being an international student, and I was getting scholarships for the “diversity” reason which was not true at all. There was a certain scholarship that would be given to international students, but all of mine were from having a good GPA and being so-called exceptional at my singing skill.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a private music teacher who teaches piano, voice, violin lessons. I teach at my home studio and public schools’ after-school program. But I have also taught private voice lesson music theory/aural skills at the university. I am very proud of what I built.
I am not only a teacher but also a businesswoman! I built everything myself. It is not easy to find an instructor who can play and teach multiple instruments, so that is something that sets me apart from others.
What were you like growing up?
I was, and still am very shy and introverted. People do not believe it when I say this. However, I always loved being in the center of attention. It is a big struggle! Luckily, I figured out how to use the feeling of fear as fuel to be really confident on the stage. People always remember me as that confident and cool person and I am grateful!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.haleykimmusic.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/haleykimmusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/haleykimmusic
Image Credits
Joshua Vukmanic
