UCF Music professors Dr. Scott Lubaroff, Dr. Nora Garcia and Dr. Yoon Joo Hwang were invited to Yonsei University and Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, South Korea earlier this month. During the trip, the professors taught master classes at the universities to inspire Korean wind ensemble players. Yonsei University was established in 1835 and is one of the most prestigious private research universities in Seoul; Korea National University of Arts is also one of the leading institutions for arts education in the country.
Lubaroff, Garcia and Hwang met with and built new friendships with leading music professors and band directors, including their prime host Chelwoong Lee, who is director of the Yonsei Wind Ensemble and Sejong Wind Symphony and Seok-Jun Lee, director of the Korea National University of Arts Wind Ensemble.
On March 17, Lubaroff conducted and Garcia performed as a soloist with the Sejong Wind Orchestra for the 100th anniversary of Yonsei University’s Memorial Hall. Lubaroff, Garcia and Hwang all received Appreciation Awards from Lee and the members of the Sejong Wind Orchestra for their contribution to the wind ensemble’s education.
Hwang was especially grateful for the experience, since she was able to visit her native country with her colleagues. “At our meeting with Yonsei University, we discussed how the Korean Wind Ensemble could develop with my mentor Chelwong Lee,” says Hwang. “We are both aware of the time and dedication needed to inspire future generations of Korean wind students to flourish. Therefore, this visit meant a lot to me.”
The Yonsei Wind Ensemble hopes to visit UCF in the near future and continue to foster friendships and musicianships with the UCF community.
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