Eastman Showcase 2004
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AKA Harpist K
Harpist Jung Kwak (MM ’98) is one of the leading classical musicians in her native South Korea. She made her debut at age 14 with the Seoul National Symphony, has toured with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, recently performed with the Tokyo Quartet, and is a popular soloist with Korea’s leading orchestra, the Korean Broadcasting Symphony (KBS). Now, the former student of Kathleen Bride, using the nom de harpe Harpist K, is also climbing the Korean charts with a new age-pop CD called Vivace, performing on a shocking pink electric harp she designed herself. The CD is the harpist’s first for Universal Music.
There is a strong Eastman alumni connection to Vivace: most of the compositions and arrangements are by Jesse Krebs (MM ’98), and Jung Kwak’s supporting musicians include bassist Ike Sturm (BM ’00, MM ’03), guitarist Ryan Ferreira (BM ’02), and pianist Gary Versace (MM ’93). The lavishly produced Vivace package includes the music CD, and also a DVD with a music video of the title track and a “Making of Vivace” feature.
Besides, Jung Kwak recently received a tremendous honor: she was appointed chair of the 2008 World Harp Contest, to be held in Seoul.