Jeeyoon Kim's "10 More Minutes"

Music is a window into the soul, into life, beauty and human connection. With music, people from all over the world can find common strands that tie them together, bonding them through the light and dark twists of society. Thus believes classical pianist Dr. Jeeyoon Kim, a young talent from South Korea with a Masters of Music and Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from the Jacob School of Music at Indiana University. 

A natural overachiever, Kim has followed the music throughout her life, from childhood to her career, and is currently preparing for the release of her second album, 10 More Minutes. Crowdfunded by her fans via Kickstarter, 10 More Minutes is a sweet celebration of life and longing, something to make listeners yearn for more even after that final note hits your ear. With an upcoming CD release concert in San Diego on December 11th at the Auditorium at the Scripps Research Institute looming on the horizon, FINE Magazine spoke with the young musical savant about the creation of 10 More Minutes, her favorite composers and why music stirs her soul.

How did you begin playing the piano?

I started playing piano when I was four years old. I don’t think I chose that on my own, but I remember always happily going to the local piano institute for every lesson and practice. I was always a musical kid, who liked to sing, play piano and [play the] flute too.

I grew up in Busan, South Korea with one older brother. Busan is very similar to San Diego, as both are sea cities. Both of my parents were business owners, singing a lot casually. They always encouraged whatever I did in my life. I was completely supported for making my own decisions and encouraged to lead my life from early on.

How did 10 More Minutes begin? What does the title mean?

I [had the idea] about a year and a half ago to create an album—which is [similar] to my live performances—carrying a consistent feel of longing for 10 more minutes of a great experience. I purposely picked pieces that are very close to me, which I play often as an encore. [Asking] for an encore at a concert is exactly the very feeling I wanted to capture in the album—just perhaps ‘10 more minutes’ to cherish.

10 More Minutes was crowdfunded via Kickstarter a year ago by your loyal fans and music lovers. What’s it like to have your hard work come to fruition?

This project has reminded me of a valuable life lesson: you can’t do it alone. When the Kickstarter campaign became successfully funded within 30 days, I felt like I’d received an excellent engine that could run well, and all I had to do was drive that engine with my best ability. I could be the one who could be driving this project, but so much love and support from fans were a fuel to make it possible. 

I look at the album now, and still can’t believe this is a reality. From the idea to the actual CD, it took about a year and half. But I also feel that my whole life is fused in the album; if I didn’t have practice time when I was 4 years old, if I didn’t have those struggles and tears in my past studies and experiences, this would not have been the same.

Describe the music featured on this album.

All of the music from the album is like a great friend of mine; each one of the pieces has a unique feeling to me. I may play them as an encore or opener of the concert, or just privately for myself as a treat when I need energy. The overall vibe of the album would be songful, nostalgic, longing, romantic and hopeful. 

What are some of your favorite pieces featured? Which composers are featured on this album?

[It’s like] asking me to choose which child is your favorite. But if I have to choose, I would choose Intermezzo by Brahms or Impromptu in G-flat Major by Schubert—or my improvisation called 10 More Minutes. Composers featured on this album include Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Debussy, Elgar, Satie, Tchaikovsky and myself. Imagine all of these amazing composers (excluding myself) having a tea party together! Well, I tried to gather them all at one table through my album. 

You are performing a CD release concert on December 11th at The Scripps Research Institute. What can fans and music lovers expect from this concert?

That is a venue that I often performed at for the San Diego Symphony Chamber Music Series and the La Jolla Music Society. I wanted this national celebration to be where I reside, though this album is not limited to be local.

As all of my other solo concerts, I will guide each course of the music before I play. My commentary for each set of pieces on stage started from my wish to get more connected with people. Music speaks by itself, but if there is a chance [to help] people’s understanding of music become deeper with my commentary, then my goal is accomplished. I would hope even my grandma from Korea, who never really listens to classical music, could understand what I am trying to communicate. It will be an hour-long concert without intermission, and there will be a reception to follow.

Where can listeners find your album?

10 More Minutes will be fully available as a physical CD on Amazon and possible to download through iTunes on December 11th.

The physical album is beautifully designed by a team from New York City with a 10-page photo booklet, along with my program notes. But if you choose to download the album, please go to 10MoreMinutesConcert.com for a digital booklet to complete your experience! My hope is that this album will be an experience of my private concert for an hour.

Finally, what do you love about playing and creating music?

When you think about it, there is absolutely nothing bad about music. For me, if there is any proof in this world that God exists, it would be through music. It heals people, connects people, touches people with a direct pipeline to their souls. I am honored to be a messenger of music making and also another mere receiver of this amazing thing called music. 

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