Seyoon Eom
What do you teach at the Prep Center?
Violin, Suzuki violin, Suzuki group class, and reading class.
Why did you begin taking music lessons?
My mom listened to classical music all the time, and I used to imitate the sound on the piano at home and never got tired of it, so she signed me up at the local music school.
How old were you when you started music lessons?
I was seven, and I started piano first.
Do you have a favorite musical memory from childhood?
When I was 10 years old I participated in a local broadcasting voice competition with three of my best friends in a quartet. I sang the alto part. Every day we met and practiced very hard. We wore the same dress and had the same hairstyles on the day of competition and sang beautifully together, like one voice, and got a top prize.
How do you vary your approach when you teach children at different ages and levels?
When I teach younger children, I try to explain as simply and specifically as possible. Also, I break down the tasks as small as possible so that they can reach the goal easily. When I teach older children, I like to share and discuss what they think and feel. By working on challenges that way, we can solve them together. This also helps them to develop their approach to practicing, and they can then do that at home.
What are your most important goals for your students?
To ensure that they enjoy playing and expressing themselves.
What are the most important recommendations that you give to parents whose children study music?
Take your children to as many concerts as possible and share with them the emotions you feel when you listen to the music.
What do you like best about teaching music?
I can create whatever I feel or want to express in many different ways. It develops inner strength as well.
What are your favorite accomplishments?
When I studied at University of Houston, I received a full scholarship for my entire master's program. Thankfully I could study without any financial problems. In addition to that, I won the Tomatz String Quartet Fellowship, enabling me to study intensively and play many string quartets for two years. I also had the opportunity to meet world-famous string quartets through master classes and seminars. And, last, during my PSD, I won a concerto competition, the Brahms Violin Concerto. This was my favorite concerto since I began studying the violin when I was a child.
