ODU Junior Wins Florida Flute Association Competition
By: Elizabeth Proffitt
Old Dominion University junior Hyorim Kim won the Florida Flute Association's Young Artist Competition and won third place in the Mid-Atlantic Washington D.C. Flute Competition.
Kim competed against five finalists in the Florida Flute Association Competition from schools around the country including the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of North Texas.
At the Mid-Atlantic Washington D.C. Competition, Kim competed against students from Julliard and The Peabody Conservatory. "It was a very valuable experience that I could compete with other state's (conservatory) students, so that I can know how much my skills have developed and what I need to improve as a musician," Kim said.
Kim who is a Music Performance major became interested in the flute when she was 10 years old and has continued her musical journey ever since. "One day, my mother bought a flute and I began to get really interested in it because it looked so beautiful!" Kim said.
Her interest in performance and music in general is facilitated and encouraged through her professors as well as her parents.
ODU's faculty support is significant in Kim's life and her practice, "My flute instructor Bonnie Bo-Kyung Kim always encourages me to understand and feel music. She teaches me not only musical techniques but also details of expression and emotions such as new interpretations, new phrases, articulations, and/or dynamics that are really different from others I have figured out by myself," Kim said.
"Dr. Kasparov, who is my New Music Ensemble instructor, [every semester] he gives opportunities to play unique pieces that are need new techniques and musical understanding. He also supports and prepares me to have great concerts. Support from my professors always enhances my confidence as a musician," Kim said.
Both the competitions in Florida and Washington D.C. were rewarding experiences for Kim, because they meant a lot to her as an accomplished musician but were also important on a larger scale.
Kim, who is an international student from South Korea, hopes that her competition wins will show her appreciation for her parents as well. "I am living alone and my parents are in South Korea. They are supporting everything for my education. I have always appreciated their support and winning competitions might be the way of expression of appreciation to them," Kim said.