Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Pianist believes in talent of disabled kids
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Gu Kyung-min
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
For Gu Kyung-min, a classical pianist, children with developmental disorders are comparable to rough diamonds.
Gu, 35, says she believes in the hidden, undiscovered musical talent that such children often have. She also says she was able to strengthen her belief in their abilities through last year’s Music Concert for Children with Disabilities where she served as the music director.
“I saw hope that they may be able to perform in an orchestra with their peers without receiving any help,” Gu said in a recent telephone interview with The Korea Times. “They concentrate on their work extremely well and also don’t easily get bored by playing instruments over and over.”
The annual concert started in 2010. Last year’s event took place on Christmas Eve at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
It was co-hosted by Rep. Jeong Jin-hoo of the Justice Party and Motion & Sound for All, a non-profit organization in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. The group supports students with autism and other developmental disorders, juvenile delinquents, as well as children from different ethnic backgrounds in learning musical instruments and participating in musical activities.
Ku served as the music director of the concert from 2012.
According to her, the event in 2014 was especially meaningful because two teenagers with developmental disorders, both cellists, jointly performed with SWAN, an amateur orchestra comprised of Seoul Women’s University students.
Their performance took place after 28 other teams comprised of middle and high school students with learning disabilities played in front of the dignitaries. They included lawmakers and U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert.
“It’s not easy to work together in harmony at an orchestra. And the two teenagers did a great job,” Ku said.
She graduated the International Conservatory of Music of Paris in France in 2010.