We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yae Seul Kim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yae Seul below.
Yae Seul, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Berklee College of Music World Tour Full Scholarship for Jazz piano, 2022
Jacksonville Jazz Festival Jazz Piano Competition selected as a finalist, 2024
Berklee Annual Event <Career Jam Award Show> Award as a Composer with Cucaracha, Berklee Performance Center,Boston, USA, 2024
KBS(Korea Broadcasting System) “Chopin Fantasie Impromptu” piano solo performance,
Seoul, Korea, 2002
KBS Radio “Where Music Is” : Jazz Pianist Srisley, interviewed, Performance, Korea, 2018
“Great Gatsby” Stage Artistic Director and Pianist, Daejeon, Korea, 2019
Srisley Trio Album <30> Showcase”, Moonak Hom, Seoul, Korea, 2021
706K Subscribers Youtube Music Channel “TOWMOO”, Srisley X Pianist YoonHan Show ,2022
“Srisley Trio : For Michel Camilo” at 1140 Boylston Berklee Oliver Colvin Hall, Boston, USA, 2023
“Srisley Quintet” Boston Book Festival at Copley Square, Boston, USA, 2023
Student in Berklee Global Jazz Institute and Gender and Justice Institute , 2023
“Srisley Septet : Love Michel Camilo” at 1140 Boylston Berklee Berk Hall, Boston, USA,2023
Berklee Holiday video “My Favorite Things” featured Latin part, Pianist and arranger ,2023
Srisley and Friends part III : Great Michel Camilo at David Friend Recital Hall, Boston, USA ,2024
Student Performance Key fest 2024 at David Friends Hall Srisley piano solo, Boston, USA , 2024
The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice Showcase in Linda May Oh ensemble as a pianist, Cafe 939, Boston, USA,2024
Yae Seul, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was raised in a musical milieu; my mother, a classical pianist, my aunt, a violinist, and my grandmother, a former high school music teacher, instilled in me a deep appreciation for music. Naturally, I aspired to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a classical pianist. However, upon reaching the age of 18, a jazz fervor swept through Korea, captivating the hearts of many. It was during this time that I encountered Michel Camilo for the first time, and his rendition of “Caribe” left an indelible mark on me, as if unveiling a whole new world of possibilities. Realizing that this music hailed from Latin America, a stark contrast to my Korean upbringing, I found myself irresistibly drawn to its rhythms and melodies. Consequently, I graduated from university and completed graduate school in Korea, majoring in jazz piano. Despite the scarcity of resources for learning Latin music in Korea, I diligently honed my skills through self-teaching while concurrently mentoring numerous students. Several of my pupils even earned scholarships to pursue jazz piano majors in college. Additionally, I assumed the role of a music director, overseeing a group of approximately 40 musicians, showcasing my innate organizational prowess.
An extraordinary opportunity presented itself when I was awarded a Berklee College of Music World Tour Full Scholarship for Jazz Piano featuring my composition, “Cucaracha.” Concurrently, a teaching position at a South Korean university emerged. After profound contemplation, I seized the chance to immerse myself in the study of Latin music, embarking on a journey to Boston, USA.
Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, I perpetually seek to broaden my horizons, firmly believing that there are infinite realms to explore in this vast universe. Despite being geographically distant from my homeland, my cherished family, loyal dog, and dear friends, who reside some 15 hours away, serve as a constant reminder of my unwavering commitment to my passion for music.
Recently, I had the honor of being selected as a finalist in the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition. It is my fervent desire to exemplify the transformative power of music in transcending linguistic boundaries, aspiring to inspire others to embrace its universal language.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 2019, I held the role of Musical Director at a jazz lounge, fresh from completing my graduate studies. My responsibilities encompassed coordinating a roster of approximately 40 musicians and curating a diverse array of performances throughout the week. This entailed training the ensemble, including tap dancers, conducting rehearsals, reviewing sheet music, and simultaneously performing as the pianist. In the event of an unforeseen absence, I swiftly sourced replacements to maintain the integrity of our shows. Reflecting on this period, I recognize it as one characterized by intense human interaction, central to the essence of music. Consequently, fostering connections with my team remained a top priority. However, I encountered challenges necessitating difficult decisions, such as replacing individuals whose actions detrimentally impacted group dynamics despite multiple opportunities for improvement.
Complicating matters, my superiors, although not involved in musical affairs, mandated frequent changes to our programming and demanded regular meetings. This prompted introspection regarding the alignment of this lifestyle with my personal aspirations, compounded by a growing disillusionment with interpersonal dynamics.
While some colleagues embraced post-performance camaraderie, I found solace in introspection and sought to fortify my emotional resilience through the study of psychology, meditation, and leadership principles. This journey of self-discovery underscored the importance of emotional regulation and mental fortitude in effective leadership.
In retrospect, this period of professional growth served as a crucible, refining my skills as a leader and deepening my understanding of the interplay between artistry and human interaction.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The most significant turning point in my life occurred during the Christmas season of 2021. With all my performance engagements cancelled due to the pandemic, and my teaching opportunities abruptly halted, I found myself navigating the surreal landscape of curfews and vaccination mandates in Korea. It was amidst this backdrop of uncertainty that the seed of inspiration was planted—to create an album. Dedicating a month to the songwriting process, I found myself observing the minutiae of daily life, including an unexpected encounter with cockroaches in my home. The shock of this encounter spurred the creation of “Cucaracha,” a composition that drew from this visceral experience.
During this period, serendipity intervened as my drummer, freshly returned from prestigious music institutions like Berklee and NYU, shared insights into his educational journey. Fueled by a sense of curiosity and whimsy, I decided to submit my album for consideration to Berklee College of Music, never expecting what followed.
To my astonishment, I was awarded an unexpected full scholarship for a global tour. Yet, simultaneously, an opportunity arose to pursue a career as a university professor, a path that aligned with my ongoing academic pursuits. This presented a profound dilemma.
Navigating the complexities of language barriers, cultural disparities, and the prospect of uprooting my life in Korea weighed heavily on my mind. Despite the stability of my current situation, the allure of exploration and growth beckoned me towards Boston, echoing the transformative impact of Michel Camilo’s music.
Over the past year and a half, my journey in Boston has been marked by challenges and triumphs. While I still grapple with fluency in English, the universal language of music has served as a bridge, enabling meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, I’ve come to understand that significant change necessitates profound sacrifices. Embracing uncertainty and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is the hallmark of embarking on a journey towards personal and professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.srisley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Srisley_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@srisley