Passion, Pedagogy and Piano

14 Nov Passion, Pedagogy and Piano

As we prepare to launch its Pre-Conservatory Music Mastery Programme, we are thrilled to spotlight Ms. YunJi Kwak, a deeply accomplished pianist and educator whose journey through music has been nothing short of inspiring.

Ms. Kwak’s musical journey began with a spark: Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major. As a child, she was captivated by its lyrical beauty, which led her to a small piano academy in her neighborhood. Despite the weight of her school bag, her heart was light with excitement each day she walked to her lessons. Encouraged by a warm and humble middle school music teacher, she found not only her passion but also her calling: to teach and inspire others through music.

While studying in Germany, Ms. Kwak experienced a pivotal moment that shaped her musical identity. Preparing for her entrance exam with Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier and Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata, she immersed herself in the intellectual and spiritual depths of German Baroque, Classical, and Romantic traditions. “Music,” she reflects, “is both an intellectual pursuit and a spiritual dialogue.” Her deep appreciation for the polyphonic beauty shared by composers like Chopin and Bach continues to inform her teaching and performance.

Ms. Kwak brings a wealth of international experience and academic excellence to Woodstock. She holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance from Sejong University in South Korea and earned master’s-equivalent degrees in Piano Performance and Accompaniment from the Musikhochschule in Stuttgart and Trossingen, Germany. Her Artist Diploma from the Chicago College of Performing Arts adds to her global perspective. Currently, she is pursuing further qualifications in Music Education and EAL through the University of Florida and Moreland University.

Her artistry has taken her across the globe, from concert halls in Germany, the UK, Japan, and South Korea to stages in the United States. She has released a digital album featuring works by Beethoven, Bach, Prokofiev and Schumann, now available on Apple Music and Spotify. These experiences enrich her classroom, offering students a window into the world of professional performance and collaboration.

In her piano lab, Ms. Kwak fosters creativity and self-expression by encouraging students to treat music as a conversation. “We listen, imagine and interpret,” she says. Currently, her students are exploring Stravinsky’s Le Cinq Doigts, discovering its minimalist charm through their own perspectives. Her approach keeps students curious, engaged and connected to their unique musical voices.

Ms. Kwak’s ultimate hope is that her students leave her class not just with technical skills, but with a lifelong love for music. “Whether or not they pursue music professionally,” she shares, “I want it to be a source of creativity, reflection, and joy, a companion that inspires and comforts them wherever they go.”

With educators like Ms. YunJi, our Pre-Conservatory Music Mastery Programme promises to be a transformative experience for aspiring musicians. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to launch this exciting new chapter in AY 2026–27.