Meet Joonghun Cho | Pianist

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

Hi Joonghun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to pursue a career as a pianist because, first of all, I love music. I have always been so fascinated by how music, particularly classical music, can show so many different styles, characteristics, emotions and effects depending on its periods of composition, composers, performers, instruments and others. Nevertheless, all these different kinds of music are still capable of telling a story to the audiences, moving them and influencing them in many good ways. The path of a pianist was particularly attractive for me since pianists, as performers, can reflect their own voice and interpretation in their performance. Performing on the stage always makes me realize that I am alive. I can express who I am and what I desire to convey with the music I play, but more importantly, I can invite the audiences into my musical world and share my ideas and feelings with them. I always find it very meaningful when audiences tell me that my performance moves and inspires them. That is exactly what I aim to do every time I play piano!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I have been very passionate about lately is promoting classical music and connecting audiences and performers. Although there have been a lot of great efforts to make classical music more familiar and friendly for the general public, the majority of people still find classical music difficult and even boring. However, I am more than convinced that we can change that. One time I gave a concert in a very rural town in Canada where classical music concerts rarely took place. It was a free concert, so there were many people who showed up, but they at first seemed very uninterested and unengaged. Therefore, I talked a lot. I talked about the composer, pieces, styles as well as some interesting stories behind the composition. I also picked pieces which are not too long, not too hard to understand but with catchy and beautiful melodies or impressive and virtuosic qualities so that people who did not know classical music well could still be engaged easily. The result was successful– people loved the concert! I truly believe there are multiple ways that classical musicians can do to make more people like it. It might not be the way the acclaimed and famous concert pianists these days are doing with the traditional selections of repertoire. I believe it is our duty as a classical musician to try different ways and match what the audiences really want because we need audiences! In fact, I am starting a concert series this coming fall near Toronto, Canada, where I will try several untraditional ways to make classical music more approachable by the audiences and to connect several wonderful artists with the audiences. I indeed hope that I will be able to start more concert series like this in the future and contribute to the classical music world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am currently residing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but I am soon moving to Toronto, so I would like to give a little itinerary in Toronto. I think the best part Toronto can offer is the food! There are so many great restaurants in town. I will bring my friend to at least one good restaurant a day depending on his or her nationality, cultural backgrounds and preference in food. I personally think food tells a lot about the country and city as well as its culture, which is why going to good restaurants is the most essential part when I travel to other countries. There is also a bar that I need to bring my friend to in Toronto– COC (Coffee Oysters Champagne). I cannot say much about it since they don’t allow people to talk about it or post it on SNS, but one thing I can say is that I always feel as if I was a character in the movie, Midnight in Paris, every time I go there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
What I have accomplished in my life so far was possible all thanks to the people who helped me in every step. I would like to thank my family especially– my parents and sister have always been very supportive in every possible way ever since I decided to become a pianist. I am beyond grateful for them because I know that they sometimes even sacrificed their lives and dreams over helping me reach my dream. Also, I want to show my gratitude for my teacher and mentor, Professor Logan Skelton at the University of Michigan. He enabled me to speak the language of music and taught me how to use all the necessary devices as a pianist. I am particularly thankful for the encouragement and trust that he has shown me during the time I studied with him. I was not only able to overcome struggles and challenges but also able to believe in myself and see the possibility of being successful with what I do as a musician thanks to him.

Website: joonghuncho.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joongaboong/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joonghun.cho

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSW6SDqwJx-hthBQ8WnnEg/featured