Meet Soo Choi | Violinist, Composer, Improviser, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Soo Choi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Soo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
One of the things my parents say is, ” you don’t have to do it if that makes you not happy. Do what you want.

I have a questions to the readers,

‘When do you feel happiness? When you have a bite of a perfect sandwich with a good taste of coffee? Watching the sunset with the person who you love? When you open a beer after a shower?

I still can’t definitively describe what “happiness” feels like for me. But one thing that always fills me with joy and excitement is “music.” I can’t imagine myself without art. I never did, and never will.
This means I just love art. I love music.

To me, music is emotion. It’s when I express my emotions the most. Some people express with their mouth or body to show their emotions clearly. For me, I express myself with music. In the past, when I was playing classical music, I felt like I had to deeply show the emotions of a story someone else had told. Now, I share my own emotions as I feel them through the music. I feel alive and it feels like my brain and my body is waking up at that moment. I cry, I laugh, I feel the emotions clearly when I do music.

I’m saying this because I don’t usually show my emotions to others and don’t really act the way the emotions come. But when it comes to music, it’s different. Music allows me to be more honest and to express myself more powerfully than anything else.

I often ask myself why I do art, what kind of work I’ll do in the future. I might not have a clear answer and I really want to do many things. In all of this, One thing is certain: I want to be someone who shares emotions and communicates through music. Just as I feel alive through music, I want to give people this emotion wishing they could feel just a bit of relief even if it is only that moment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
With a profound respect for history and culture, I imbue my music with a rich tapestry of influences. I Believe the power of music heal the world.
Hello! Im Soo Choi and Im a violinist, composer, improviser and educator. Performs classical, jazz, Latin, funk, and world music genres.

Began my musical journey with a classical education in Korea over 15 years, laying a solid foundation for my artistic exploration. Now based in the United States, I am fearlessly embrace diverse musical genres, continuously challenging myself and pushing boundaries. With my innovative approach, I am reshaping the sonic landscape of string instruments, carving out a unique and captivating style of my own.

My unique style lies in the versatility of the violin, producing a diverse array of sounds beyond the traditional classical repertoire. Exploring realms beyond conventional norms, I delve into funky beats reminiscent of drum sets and percussion, Latin grooves, and utilizes pizzicato techniques to mimic guitar-like gypsy, jazz, and Latin accompaniments.

Currently pursuing my undergraduate studies as a scholarship recipient at Berklee School of Music, further enrich my musical universe under the mentorship of Danilo Pérez at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute.

I have been actively engaged in collaborative ventures and performances with renowned artists like Kanny Baron, Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Joe Lovano, Andrés Cepeda, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall.

I also possess skills beyond music, including media contents creating. With prior experience interning in the video production industry, I gained valuable insights into media, deepening my interest, particularly in the fusion of arts. As an artist and educator, I committed to share my experiences and skills with the world, expanding my horizons.

Currently, embarking on another endeavor by forming bands like the contemporary string quartet (VIVO44 quartet) and Jazz-pop Band (DOSI band), aiming to break boundaries and create new music.

VIVO44 quartet is female string quartet that plays diverse music styles including jazz, latin, world , and more..
We play our originals, arrangements and improvise.

DOSI band is a band that plays Jazz based pop tune. We rearrange pop tunes and make it into our style of music. We started to make media videos relating to art fusion contents

Additionally,
I have my recital coming on October .
I will showcase my ongoing commitment to innovation and exploration in the music industry today, tomorrow, and always with love and passion.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my friends visit Korea, I would definitely recommend the Han River. It’s my favorite place, where you can feel the nature and the city at the same time. This place is somehow special.

If you are alone, go to bike along the river, especially in spring with cherry blossoms. You should stop when you see the convenience store, and buy some snacks. Go to the place to sit and eat. And then, see the river to take time to chill. You’ll see it will go straight to night.
With friends, Order delivery food. It will come even if you are in the middle of the park. Watch the Bridge fountain show, and have fun. Sometimes there are buskers who dance or sing. Walk slowly along the river, and see the trees, flowers, and then see the city view. It will feel so cool.

Another place I’d recommend is Daegu. It’s where I was born. Daegu is a food lover’s paradise. Delicious local food, fruits, and vegetables are there. You have to try the water parsley with pork belly, persimmons, apples, flat dumplings, tteokbokki, and more. If you love food, You should go to Daegu.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to express my gratitude to those who guide and teach me today.

Berklee Global Jazz Institute, I have gained the most inspiration and insight in this institute. I have found my colleagues who can share emotions through the music we love.
Under the mentorship of Danilo Pérez, my musical world is expanding. This place has made me happy by showing me that there is always more to learn. Thank you for helping me discover ‘Me’ and ‘Music’ more deeply and widely.

Berklee Professors,
Hearing my voice and gave me positive energy. I’ve been with my big stars and learning the violin world I wanted to explore. They interact with me as professors, mentors, peers, and even like friends, which inspires me to want to be like them in the future. I can strongly say that they made my dreams and continue to excite me and inspire me to grow my dreams even bigger.

Thank you Rob Thomas, Jason Anick, Mimi Rabson and Sara Caswell.

Lastly, I want to give a shoutout to my family.
As always, Families come first.
It’s their constant support and love that have made me who I am. who I love most, it would always be my family.
No matter what happens, love remains and trust keeps us together.
Family carries a heavy mix of emotions—joy, sorrow, love, anxiety, forgiveness, and more. But in the end, it always leads to the clear sentence: ‘I love you.'”

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