Meet Angela Yoon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Yoon.

Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in South Korea. Even as a little girl, I always loved music. Though money was tight in my childhood, my mother wanted different opportunities for me. However, due to financial reasons, she had to choose between sending me to a kindergarten and giving piano lessons. Without any hesitation, I told her I wanted piano lessons when I was five years old. Music making was not only fun, but it was a haven for me. My childhood wasn’t easy, but I could escape into music when life became too much.

I progressed at an exponential speed and was able to play advanced repertoire and win competitions within the first 3 years of learning to play the piano. However, I had to stop taking lessons with family issues. I still loved music, but I didn’t have the financial support to continue. Then, I joined the middle school choir (which was free!). I fell in love with singing immediately. I wanted to pursue voice lessons, but the desire wasn’t supported both financially and by the family and teachers. After high school, I moved to the States. The first year was spent going through ESL classes and learning English, and I began my college years as a nursing student. I needed fine arts gen ed credits for the degree, and the choir was an option.

When I auditioned for the choir, one of the voice faculty in the room said, “Wow, you have a very pretty voice. Have you thought of taking voice lessons?” And I responded, “Well, it’s probably not part of my nursing degree, but does it count toward gen ed credit?” And then voice lessons began. Singing was so much fun. I practiced, listened, and thought about music every moment possible. I even worked at the music library so that I had access to all the recordings and scores even when I was working. I had to change my major, and I did after my first year as a nursing student. So many doors and opportunities opened up after the change.

I was able to devote the majority of my class time and all personal time to music, and these efforts equipped me to win many competitions and awards. After completing my graduate degrees, my career as a teacher and performer expanded greatly. After many different opportunities and experiences, life led me to Nashville where I call home now.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any musicians who are making living doing music will say, being a musician is far from easy. They will also say that the ones who will make a career out of music, are not always the most talented people. Talent is very important, but there are so many other things that need to line up for one to “make it.” I went to one of the most prestigious schools in the world for my graduate studies, and the level of talent that existed in that place was unthinkable.

But to become “successful” in making a living doing music needs a few more things: Time and effort (for practice. Many people will say it is 1% of great talent and 99% of continuing effort.), tenacity (to withstand many rejections), money (to support training or auditions/competitions), network and connections (being always kind and collegial to others but also real), and luck. I knew I had a high level of musical aptitude, but also I can say with confidence that I always worked very hard. Rejections were hard. Getting over them was hard and trying to learn from failures was in a way harder. The financial situation was very challenging. There were times I had to decline opportunities because I had to choose paying rent and buying food instead. But I had great people around me. So many friends and teachers gave me support in so many different ways. I don’t think I could have survived in the field without people and their love no doubt.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I perform mostly in classical style. But I think what makes me unique is my approach to music. My main goal in performance is in creating a meaningful performance that will reach the general public even though one does not have a lot of exposure/experience in classical styles. For example, one of the four concert programs I am touring with this year is called “Songs of Hope: Unveiling Darkness.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.angelayoonsoprano.com 

Image Credits
Rebekah Willard and Tausha Dickinson