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You're listening to the piano part where we talk to the brightest minds in the industry

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about how they're bringing the piano into the 21st century.

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Last time we spoke to concert pianist Min Kwan about her early experiences as a student

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at Curtis and Juilliard and her latest project, the America Beautiful Piano Variations.

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And now the conclusion.

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Who do you consider your biggest artistic influences then?

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It's interesting.

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When I got married early on, I would always sneak out and watch these YouTube.

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YouTube was very new at the time and I would spend until like 2, 3, 4 a.m. just surfing

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and because it was such a resource of performers or ensembles, orchestras, you know, Vienna

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Philharmonie, how many times can we listen to them live?

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But there's like whole resource online.

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And my husband got so mad because, you know, I'm always like up, you know, doing this and

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it looks like it's something bad, but no, actually I was just listening to music.

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And even to this day, that was like 17 years ago, but even to this day, I do the same thing.

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And he gets mad sometimes.

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But I'm telling you this because he said, do you like this that much?

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And I say, yes, I do.

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So I think my influence is all of these things.

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I'm truly fascinated with all aspects, all performers.

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Now I'm really into opera.

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And I because I have to put on a gala, opera gala in September for my CME.

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And so, you know, I can't say this is language or it's a concert that I've gone, you know,

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or I'm familiar with.

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Of course, I know all the standard one, but I'm now really listening and watching so many

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different things, singers.

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And it's just fascinating to me, you know, that whole repertoire.

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And it's very different than instrumental, right?

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So it's another outlet of what we do as a musician.

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I love I wanted to be a conductor so badly.

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And when I stood in front of Curtis Orchestra as my final exam, that dream was shattered

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because like I like my stick was shaking like this, you know, and everybody's looking at

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me.

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I'm like, oh, my God, what am I going to do?

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At least at the piano, you can hide if you're, you know, you can try to control your shaking

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hand or whatever.

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But yeah, playing the piano and conducting was one of my dreams or I love orchestral

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repertoire.

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I love the sound.

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And so I think the key is not to be limited by our instrument and the space that we have

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here, you know, and that's, I think, what limits us.

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And of course, being in conservatory, going to competitions, I was in that place also

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where I just got stuck here, how to play this, you know.

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And I have to say, as a musician, that was one of my least happy, joyful times.

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Actually, at times I was miserable because like, I really felt I don't think this is

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why I want to be a musician.

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You know, I don't think this is how like playing Chopin etude, WCA etude for competition, you

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know, working on this repertoire, you know.

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I don't, you know, and I'm so glad I found my way out and it was either through chamber

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music, which I love, you know, listening to this orchestra.

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I told you I always, I was so sad as a pianist, I couldn't be in an orchestra.

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And always programming, producing, planning events, concerts with other musicians.

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So I kind of had to find my way through it to make it a fulfilling life that I knew was

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there for me, you know.

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And even these days, I feel very sad that, you know, a lot of young musicians, when they

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get stuck.

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And I think in a way, that's why I started the Center for Musical Excellence, because

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I wanted to really provide a community support system for them to also show them there is,

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you don't have to be Lang Lang, you don't have to win this competition.

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And even when you do, that's not the end of, it doesn't mean you're immediately going

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to be happy and successful.

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Of course not, right?

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We all know that.

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But we all love music just as much as, you know, the person, you know, who won the competition,

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the competition.

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So how do we make most out of it?

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Our passion, our talent, you know.

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So that's what the center really is.

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Wow.

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Yeah, I was going to ask you about that, but you answered some questions.

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So that's wonderful.

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So from your own struggle as a musician, but it seems like you had also the right support

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system and mentorship.

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And so that's why you are who you are right now.

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So is that the desire that you cause to create this non-profit organization for young musicians?

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Yes, yes, yes.

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What was actually missing in this modern, the students and artists of the 21st century

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to cause you to do this non-profit?

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Well, I remember during one of my sabbaticals from the university that I finally had the

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time to do something to help students not just coming to study with me at Rutgers or

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auditioning, but just young artists in general, because I would see them auditioning for 10,

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15 different schools.

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Like when I was going auditioning, I only went to audition for Curtis and only audition

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for Julia because I knew this is where I wanted to go.

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This is who I wanted to study.

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Of course, it was a very, very stupid thing.

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But nowadays, you know, touring 15 different schools and not really knowing, it just shows

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them they are lost and they are kind of, you know, throwing dice and see what happens.

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And I felt like as someone who's gone through this path, I could be the mentor and I could

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show them the right path.

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So sometimes they don't waste time, energy and money resource sometimes.

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And also wanted to create a place where all of us, the mentors come together.

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And it's not difficult with choosing a teacher is that sometimes the teachers can get very

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possessive.

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You only study with me.

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You don't go to this festival.

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You come to my festival this summer or, you know, this kind of thing.

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Also you can't really audition for two or three teachers at the same school because

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they will find out about it, you know.

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So a lot of these things are very awkward situations that young people need guidance

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on how to manage, you know.

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So that's kind of how it started.

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And then it of course grew to something.

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So first few years we had a festival in New York with some of my colleagues.

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I called them up like Jerry Lowenthal and Bob McDonald and look, this is my desire and

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will you join me?

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You know, and you know, these people saying yes and students came and it was very small

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scale but kind of like a place that was too good to be true because they had lessons with

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all these amazing teachers from all these different schools.

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And they didn't have to pick one, you know.

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And that was kind of like my dream vision.

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Even now I always send my students to other teacher or other festival, you should go experience

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this and then, you know, that's one.

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And then also giving musicians opportunity beyond just giving the best lesson on Beethoven's

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nada.

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They actually need connection or, you know, for you to call up somebody, you know, conductor

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or presenter or whatever or even creating a concert for them or even matching them with

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a patron.

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So we started doing this and just kind of one thing led to another and I was very lucky

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that because I think I'm a spokesperson that is also a musician, that was also a struggling

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young musician at one point.

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And I think to patrons this is more compelling than just an executive nonprofit coming in

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to talk to them, you know.

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What do you think about being a 21st century musician, classical musician?

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So that's something we really have to talk about.

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We are all here as a piano teachers and we feel things are moving quite rapidly due to

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all the technologies that are available to so many other variables that we have to think.

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So we think of going to this, you know, famous music schools, oh, you're supposed to be practicing

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hours hours over the day, which is true.

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But in the end, is that really realistic after you are done with this conservatory and so

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there's the real life right in front of you and how are you going to face that?

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So is that something part of the mentorship that you give to your students?

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Yeah, sure.

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I think so.

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And I think pandemic last couple of years actually brought all these questions to kind

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of more forefront urgency because a lot of musicians, young artists are now struggling

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after having so many limitations imposed upon them.

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For me personally, I think I was lucky in that I was always that very curious kind of

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restless human being in that it just one was not enough for me or going to competition

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was not enough playing Chopin concerto well was not enough.

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But I think this is something definitely that can be shown or guided by a mentor.

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I think important thing is for young musicians to not be sidetracked by short term goals,

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meaning let me do this jury.

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Well, let me get an A or let's get this degree, you know, because that really is not what

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being a musician is all about.

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And I think that kind of goal is what makes them trip and fall.

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You know, so having a more broad sense of why do I want to be a musician?

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How can I, you know, contribute and in return because it's only when I give really that

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comes back to you, you know, and it's kind of very life's natural process, I think, just

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like you when you give a concert and then the audience gives you back that that's that

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feeling and we need each other, that kind of thing.

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And I think it's same for teacher and students and musicians is that it's recreating using

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our instrument to do something else.

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And nowadays, I see also a lot of efforts being made to be creative that way people

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are going into unusual venues like veterans homes or hospitals or reaching out or nursing

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homes, you know, when I was growing up, that was not done.

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And I remember actually, I walked into an assisted living when I was a student, because

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I also needed to make money.

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And I thought they might need they might need some music.

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And I remember walking into the reception and I said, Hey, I'm a pianist and my sister

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plays violin.

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Can we come and play you know, some, you know, I literally did that.

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Can you believe that?

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And then I got my first hundred dollars.

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But those things that done a lot and but it's not something music students should feel ashamed

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of or you know, it's not something you pick and choose music is music human beings are

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human beings, your audience is everywhere.

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They're not just a Carnegie Hall.

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You know, they may be your next door and door neighbor or they may be you know, somebody

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in trouble, you know.

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So I think if you start thinking this way, and I do believe that's what being 21st century

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musician is all about.

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It's not a specific goal of how many contrarios I play with which orchestra.

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Right.

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So can I ask what do you see for yourself in the future?

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Do you have any interesting projects coming up or things that are still in the idea phase?

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We would love to hear about them.

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Yeah, I always have ideas and projects in my mind.

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That's why I don't sleep at night.

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It's so exciting to be a musician.

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And many projects, of course, don't really happen.

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But still, it's a process because one thing leads to another.

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I really believe in that.

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So it's never wasted, you know, idea creativity is never wasted, you know.

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So I'm still finishing and continuing this America Beautiful project.

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And hopefully, you know, more people will even want to come on board.

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And you know, when I filmed it, it's first time learning, first time performing, first

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time filming.

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And so think about it, you know, when so it's not really fair to compare to, let's say,

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a very famous pianist playing same concerto 200 times.

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Yeah.

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So I, I'm not there yet, but I want to be there by playing these new pieces as much

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as I can and to do justice to the vision of each piece, the composer.

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Right.

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So that's one.

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And as a as artistic director and also executive director of CME, it's a nonstop work of fundraising,

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reaching new patrons, new friends, and connecting our young musicians, also scouting for new

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talents, which I'm doing with opera singers now.

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And putting on on events September 25th, we have our gala, annual gala.

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And with pandemic, we used to do it indoor and a concert hall continued by like a ballroom,

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dinner and a hotel or something like that.

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But as of last year, we moved it to outdoor.

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So it's like a fall festival.

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It will take place near where I live in the countryside in Edmonds, New Jersey.

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And our friend who has this hundred acre outdoor, it's metal overlooking the hill and the mountains.

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It's just really beautiful, dreamy.

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And we're going to have a stage set up with orchestra.

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Half is opera gala, half I'm going to play Beethoven, choral fantasy with our orchestra

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and choir.

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And, you know, it's like a family event.

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And also there is going to be food truck, silent auction, arts and crafts, vendors.

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You know what I mean?

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It's just, again, using music to bring people together and just everyone having a good time.

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You know, and we also have a bluegrass band opening the act for the classical.

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So it's just not just one type of music either.

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It's just all kinds.

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And we're going to have sushi rolls to hot dog and donuts to pizza.

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So again, all kinds of food there.

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They want to come.

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They want to be a part of that.

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To alcohol, bourbon tasting, apple cider.

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So yeah, that's kind of my kind of event.

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You know, I am in that not minimalistic.

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I'm like maximalistic.

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More the better, more the merrier.

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And this is going to be that kind of festival.

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So again, and we have what's called Crystal Society members.

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So that's more by membership, more exclusive group of friends.

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And we gather monthly.

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It could be house concerts or wine tasting, you know.

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And it's just, and we always feature our young musicians.

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So for them to get to know them intimately.

233
00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,680
And so it's like building community, building friendship.

234
00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:38,400
And what better ways to do it than through, you know, music.

235
00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,000
Wow.

236
00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,600
This is really exactly how I have imagined.

237
00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:47,840
You know, again, even though I have known you basically from watching you, you know,

238
00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:53,160
on the social media, but I think you're just such a passionate and authentic person, you

239
00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:57,440
know, that you share your love, your passion, and you want to help people.

240
00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,400
And I also know that I believe your husband is a doctor, right?

241
00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,760
I remember watching this interview on GQ.

242
00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:06,440
Is that, and that was your husband.

243
00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:07,440
Oh, yeah.

244
00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:08,440
Clara, I'm so impressed.

245
00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,440
You know more about me than I do.

246
00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:17,400
And I believe your sister married a famous tender, right?

247
00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,680
I also was a big fan of his singing as well.

248
00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:27,200
And I, so my impression is that I think you're someone who was so good at connecting dots,

249
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:28,200
right?

250
00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:32,480
And that you kind of, all these things happened, but I'm sure it happened for a reason.

251
00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:34,960
You worked hard all your life.

252
00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:38,920
And now you, I believe your festival also happens in Vienna in the summer.

253
00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:39,920
Is that correct?

254
00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,040
You bring these musicians.

255
00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:48,960
So I, we have to wrap up unfortunately soon, but I just want to leave our audience with

256
00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:53,920
one last question before we go into a very fun segment, but I will explain.

257
00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,960
But what is your run otherwise for all the musicians coming up?

258
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:04,320
You know, the next generation, I know there are still so many of us, them in school, actually

259
00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:09,240
part of me still have this little secret dream that I might come to Rock Creek to study with

260
00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:10,240
you.

261
00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:11,240
I never got my doctorate.

262
00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:15,800
And I thought, well, you know, I didn't want to do it early, but I thought maybe when I,

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00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:21,120
you know, I'm all established, I will come back and so what is your advice for younger

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00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:23,600
generation of musicians?

265
00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:27,160
Younger generation of musicians or pianist or?

266
00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:31,520
Just artists, let's say in general, especially after this pandemic, right?

267
00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:36,000
And you, I know you have answered quite a bit of it already, but the, you know, for

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00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:42,080
musicians that are currently still in school, for example, that the, you know, as you say,

269
00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:47,280
there's probably a lot of limitations still, you know, some of them I know that are maybe

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00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:52,800
stuck in other countries and even young artists that some of us, we interviewed some of them,

271
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they had artist visa and then they went back and they couldn't come back.

272
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So what's your, yeah.

273
00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:03,440
Well, you know, the thing is, I mean, the lesson in music is same as lesson in life

274
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is that I'm also, you know, learning every day, but because I have a little more experience

275
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and age ahead of these young musicians that you're talking about is that I think we've

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had some dark times, very, you know, discouraging times, but something always comes out of this

277
00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:30,200
and using this time to actually maybe take a step back and really think how much do I

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00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:31,200
love music?

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00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,400
How much do I love this profession?

280
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Or how much, you know, do I want to be in it?

281
00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:43,760
And it's a very good question to ask because many of us maybe have come this path because

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it was kind of the easiest thing to do or natural thing to do or parents supported it

283
00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,440
or for one reason or another.

284
00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:55,800
But and it's not a bad thing to just rethink, right?

285
00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,400
And what do I want to do with it?

286
00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:04,560
I have plenty of young colleagues who's now learning coding or has kind of found a different

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00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:12,520
outlet, you know, performing arts, music administration or photography, or you don't have to be a

288
00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:13,520
performer.

289
00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,560
There's many ways to be a musician.

290
00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:23,240
I think that's what I want to emphasize on, you know, and it's not necessarily on how

291
00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:29,220
well you play this one piece of music that really isn't going to get you there.

292
00:20:29,220 --> 00:20:38,360
So that's my advice and to really think about and being creative and people think it's a

293
00:20:38,360 --> 00:20:43,340
two different thing that we only play the things that's put in front of me.

294
00:20:43,340 --> 00:20:49,560
But even that takes creativity, you know, and every time we're moving something, voice

295
00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,800
or physical movement, something is happening, there's an energy there.

296
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:58,120
And you know, I always say it's a chamber music between left and right, you know, even

297
00:20:58,120 --> 00:21:05,120
when you're playing by yourself, or it's not anatomy and science of what's happening with

298
00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:06,120
your body.

299
00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:10,040
You know, it's a constant kind of exploration, isn't it?

300
00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:16,640
And experiment of today, you know, I my shoulder hurts or today I'm going to experiment my

301
00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:22,720
left arm is slow or, you know, I'm talking for a violinist or pianist or instrumentalist,

302
00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:29,360
but take every day as a new kind of new day to explore.

303
00:21:29,360 --> 00:21:30,760
That's what I do.

304
00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:37,640
And it can then you can never get stuck, I think, and also do that for others around

305
00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:38,640
you.

306
00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,880
You know, I play these games with my girls and that there you go.

307
00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:43,840
They are very talented.

308
00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:47,920
They play piano, violin, cello, but they don't want to be musicians.

309
00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:50,600
And I understand that it's not for everyone.

310
00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:51,600
Right.

311
00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:57,120
And music, who said this music is not really a profession.

312
00:21:57,120 --> 00:21:58,120
It's really a mission.

313
00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:00,600
You know, I heard that.

314
00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,280
And that I think that's a very good way of putting it.

315
00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:04,280
It's not a job.

316
00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:05,280
Right.

317
00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:06,280
Yeah.

318
00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,200
And so you're not looking for a job.

319
00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,040
You know, it's not just a profession.

320
00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:14,160
So really has to become a way of life.

321
00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:20,160
And if that fulfills you and if that's what you need and you're going to be very unhappy

322
00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:24,160
if you don't do that, then this is a life for you.

323
00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:25,160
Wow.

324
00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:26,800
That is so beautiful.

325
00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:27,800
Thank you.

326
00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:28,800
I'm sure of all of this.

327
00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:33,720
We really appreciate all these insightful thoughts and ideas.

328
00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:38,920
I actually I remembered one of the colleagues, younger colleague I used to work with, William

329
00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:43,480
Oh, I believe he also did his PhD or DMA at Rutgers.

330
00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:44,480
Yeah.

331
00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:49,840
And he also is now quite well known photographer.

332
00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,480
And so, you know, that's right.

333
00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:54,800
I know both of his siblings.

334
00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:55,800
We all went to Kansas.

335
00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,720
I mean, they were much younger.

336
00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:58,720
But yeah.

337
00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:02,720
So anyway, so that's a beautiful wrap up.

338
00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:08,720
And well, we are going to go into our last segment of the show, which I forgot.

339
00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:10,480
I forgot to inform you in the beginning.

340
00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,360
So this will be a big surprise for you.

341
00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:15,820
It's called the rapid fire questions.

342
00:23:15,820 --> 00:23:20,760
So we each of us will have some silly little questions, very short answers.

343
00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:21,760
Don't get scared.

344
00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:24,720
We'll be kind of one of those talk show.

345
00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:26,640
The quick question I have to answer very quickly.

346
00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:27,640
Oh, how fun.

347
00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:28,640
Okay, you got it.

348
00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:29,640
That's right.

349
00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:31,920
So I will be the first one to go.

350
00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:32,920
And are you ready?

351
00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:36,640
Okay, as ready as I will ever be.

352
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:38,120
Okay, short answers.

353
00:23:38,120 --> 00:23:39,120
Good.

354
00:23:39,120 --> 00:23:40,120
What is your comfort food?

355
00:23:40,120 --> 00:23:44,800
I know you're also foodie.

356
00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:45,800
Oh my god.

357
00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:49,040
Why does that stop me right now?

358
00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:50,040
Courage.

359
00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:53,040
Oh my god.

360
00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:58,800
In Korean, we are the true Asians here.

361
00:23:58,800 --> 00:23:59,800
Cats or dogs?

362
00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:00,800
Dogs.

363
00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:01,800
Dogs.

364
00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:02,800
Great.

365
00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,680
What is your word or words to live by?

366
00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:10,760
Oh, life is short.

367
00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:11,760
Hmm.

368
00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:12,880
Got it.

369
00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,400
What is the most important quality you look for in people?

370
00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,120
Modesty.

371
00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:20,120
Hmm.

372
00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:21,300
Beautiful.

373
00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:26,080
What is the worst quality in people that you want to stay away from?

374
00:24:26,080 --> 00:24:27,080
Arrogance.

375
00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:28,080
Ding ding ding.

376
00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:29,080
Great.

377
00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:32,080
All right, my turn.

378
00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:36,480
Name three people who inspire you, living or dead.

379
00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:45,920
Hubert, my mother, and my husband.

380
00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:49,880
Which historical figure or composer would you want to take lessons from if he or she

381
00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:51,560
were alive?

382
00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:54,920
Mozart.

383
00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:58,720
And which historical figure or composer would you want to hang out with at the bar?

384
00:24:58,720 --> 00:24:59,720
Rachmaninoff.

385
00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:00,720
Oh, interesting.

386
00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:08,480
He's Aries and I'm a Leo and we're supposed to like have a big chemistry.

387
00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,480
Perfect pair.

388
00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:14,200
So it's my turn.

389
00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:18,440
So name one piece in your current playlist.

390
00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:22,520
Oh, it's BTS.

391
00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:24,800
Of course.

392
00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:26,320
That is funny.

393
00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:27,320
Great choice.

394
00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:28,320
Yes.

395
00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:29,320
Okay.

396
00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,840
Name a book title you're currently reading.

397
00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:38,720
Oh, look, I haven't read a book in a while, but actually I'm reviewing my German, so it's

398
00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:40,320
a German textbook.

399
00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,120
Oh, wow.

400
00:25:42,120 --> 00:25:43,120
Wonderful.

401
00:25:43,120 --> 00:25:44,120
Okay.

402
00:25:44,120 --> 00:25:49,080
You get only one song or piece to listen for the rest of your life.

403
00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:50,080
What is it?

404
00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:52,520
It's actually Hey Jude.

405
00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,580
Oh, okay.

406
00:25:55,580 --> 00:25:59,420
So the last one, it's the fill in the blank.

407
00:25:59,420 --> 00:26:04,200
Music is blank.

408
00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:05,200
Music is.

409
00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:06,200
Wow.

410
00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:07,760
You can say so many things.

411
00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:08,760
Music is life.

412
00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:09,760
Thank you.

413
00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:10,760
You win.

414
00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:11,760
All right.

415
00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:12,760
Well done.

416
00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:13,760
Thank you.

417
00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:14,760
You guys are fun.

418
00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:15,760
It's been a pleasure.

419
00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:16,760
Oh, thank you so much.

420
00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:17,760
The pleasure is all ours.

421
00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:18,760
Exactly.

422
00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:19,760
Oh my God.

423
00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:20,760
We had such a good time.

424
00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:27,920
And there are so many more questions we want to ask, but unfortunately, there is not enough

425
00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:32,640
time in the show and you just have to come back next time and continue our conversation.

426
00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:36,520
Love to see you guys all live in person.

427
00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:37,520
Thank you.

428
00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:44,880
Thank you, Dr. Ben for joining us today and sharing your insights and expertise.

429
00:26:44,880 --> 00:26:47,400
And thank you for our audience for tuning in.

430
00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:53,080
For anyone who is still interested in learning more about Dr. Kwon's beautiful projects,

431
00:26:53,080 --> 00:27:01,760
you can find her project, American Beautiful online at www.american-beautiful.com and information

432
00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:13,320
about herself and the CME at www.minkwon.net or www.cmemusic.org.

433
00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:17,560
If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate and review us on whatever podcasting platform

434
00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:18,660
you use.

435
00:27:18,660 --> 00:27:22,520
And if you're watching us on YouTube, remember to hit the thumbs up button and tell all your

436
00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:24,720
friends and subscribe too.

437
00:27:24,720 --> 00:27:27,600
You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

438
00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:30,560
The links are in the description.

439
00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:35,760
If you have feedback for us, please leave it in the comments or DM us via social media,

440
00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:40,480
or you can also email us at the pianopodnyc at gmail.com.

441
00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:45,640
We will see you at the next episode of The Piano Pop.

442
00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:46,640
Thank you, everyone.

443
00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:47,640
Thank you, Dr. Ben.

444
00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:48,640
Hi, everybody.

445
00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:49,640
Very nice.

446
00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:50,640
Thank you so much.

447
00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:51,640
Thank you.

448
00:27:51,640 --> 00:28:11,400
Who's next, guys?