It is an artist’s dream to perform on the stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, America’s most iconic cultural center. A Korean American, Jennifer Koh, is the Artistic Director of classical performances at the Kennedy Center, which was built in 1971 to honor President John F. Kennedy.
Koh is a musician herself. She first picked up a violin bow at the age of 3 and was performing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11. In 1994, when she was 18, she won the tied second place in the Tchaikovsky International Competition without a first place. “I’ve always been proud to be a Korean American even though I was racially discriminated against,” she told the JoongAng Ilbo on July 17, adding, ”When I meet young artists like Yunchan Lim and Seong-jin Cho, I feel a deep kinship with them.”
What do you value the most as an artistic director?
“Diversity and the present. It’s important to convey the diversity of human emotions across time and space. Art is about being able to imagine and dream of new worlds without being stuck in the past or being overwhelmed by the present.”
Alone Together, the album that won Koh a Grammy in 2022, is a similar story. The album was conceived in 2020 during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While social distancing was mandatory, Koh asked young composers to write violin solos, which she performed from her home on her smartphone and posted on Instagram. The idea was to connect through music despite being physically separated.
You are the first Korean American artistic director at the Kennedy Center.
“I’m also the first Asian. I’ve always been proud of Korea, and while our remarkable economic growth is important, there’s a unique DNA in our history that makes us Korean. It’s persistence, resilience, and innovation.”
How did you start playing the violin?
“My parents got me into a lot of different things growing up, like swimming and ice skating, and violin was one of them. I honestly didn’t think I could be a soloist, but my teacher believed in me, and that’s why I’m here today.”
You have distinguished yourself in various competitions.
“I must say, competitions are not the end, but the beginning. Even if you win a prize, it doesn’t guarantee that you will become a great musician. The important thing is to have a variety of experiences. To do that, you need to try a lot of things, fail, make mistakes, and learn. Perfection also means boredom. It should be about meeting other great musicians, interacting with your peers, and connecting with the audience.”
How do you see young Korean musicians?
“Yunchan and Seong-jin are both great artists. Some had been invited to the Kennedy Center, and some were already on the stage. I think the important thing is to create an environment and culture where many musicians can be supported and nurtured, not just a few exceptional artists.”
BY SUJIN CHUN, HOONSIK WOO [chun.sujin@joongang.co.kr]
