Julia Camara | Echo
Joo Young Kim, a Ball State alumna and distinguished pianist, will perform a free recital at Taylor tonight. Kim will be playing some of the finest piano movements of J. S. Bach, Haydn and Rachmaninoff on the grand piano in the music building's Butz-Carruth Recital Hall.
Kim earned her BA and MA at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. She made her first debut at the age of 12 as a soloist with the Korean Symphony Orchestra. Since then she has traveled and played internationally, performing in South Korea, Europe and the United States.
"I first met her when I judged a concerto competition at Ball State," said music theory professor and piano teacher Leon Harshenin. "I was one of three or four judges, and she won first in her category." Kim was studying for her doctorate when she won the competition.Last year, Kim contacted Harshenin asking if she could play a recital at Taylor. He agreed, realizing it was a great opportunity.
Harshenin is encouraging all of his students to attend the recital. He especially hopes that the girls would attend, because he hopes Kim will become a role model for them.
"Most of my students are female, so this is important for them to identify with and to say, 'Maybe I can strive for that,'" Harshenin said.
The recital is free and opened to the public. It will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.
