“ In music, as in life: go all out!”
– Leslie Johnson, Viola, founding member of the Bellingham Chamber Music Society
Tell us about your journey to the viola as your instrument of choice?
I began as a violinist, but as a college student, volunteered to play the viola in the conducting seminar orchestra. I could not believe how beautiful–and comfortable–it was to play the viola, and there was no turning back!
As a founding member of BCMS, tell us about that journey?
There were so many great musicians I was meeting and performing with in Bellingham, especially bassoonist Pat Nelson, that Pat and I decided to team up and bring the music we were all playing to everyone in Bellingham! The chamber music recitals we were all playing at the time in Bellingham were more of an occasional occurrence, so having a dedicated seasonal series for chamber music seemed to be a great idea!
Do you remember a time when you were young and something musical just grabbed you?
Believe it or not, I was so inspired as a 4th grader listening to the 6th grade orchestra–including a beginning oboe player–play the Volga Boatman. The combination of (beginning) violins and (beginning) oboe sounded sublime to me! I decided then and there to become a musician.
Where did you complete your musical studies?
My performance training is from the Juilliard School, and pedagogical training is from the University of Washington.
Are there any musicians or teachers in particular who have played important roles in forming your thoughts as a musician?
My two favorite viola teachers, William Lincer and Kim Kashkashian, were a huge influence, both in playing with specific viola technique and musicianship in mind. I wish I could have studied with both of them for a longer time! Also, Walt Cole, music educator extraordinaire, was an immensely influential musician: He believed in music for everyone, and inspired excellence with kindness and humor! And my Ethnomusicology professor at the UW, Dr. Barbara Lundquist, demonstrated the power of genuine enthusiasm to more successfully communicate with and inspire students!
Share some of the musical moments that have most inspired you?
As a member of the Spokane String Quartet, we were able to play the Schubert C major Quintet with Janos Starker–such an incredible experience, especially the Scherzo movement! Performing the Dvorak Piano Quintet with my quartet A Piacere Musica da Camera and pianist Charles Enlow, was a thrill! And most recently, performing Schubert’s Death and the Maiden with the Seattle Chamber Orchestra was really inspiring and exciting–you could sense the give and take of the performers’ and audience’s energies!
What are among your favorite classical pieces with and/or without violin?
Definitely my favorite pieces are Brahms Fourth Symphony, Bach Chaconne, Schubert Quintet in C major D. 956, Franck Violin Sonata, Schumann Piano Quartet in Eb, Tchaikovsky Fifth symphony and Beethoven Fifth Symphony’s 2nd movement–theme and variations, check out measure 166 and beyond!
Tell us your thoughts on the art of chamber music?
In chamber music, as you work with the other players, it feels like you are on this great journey together, touring these beautiful and incredible sights with your fellow travelers. Chamber music, especially live performances in smaller performing spaces, allow the listener to experience the sometimes raw power of the instrument in an almost tangible way. Plus, it’s wonderful to have the ability to interpret and communicate the music on our own terms, too.
What keeps you artistically inspired?
I am constantly inspired by the beauty of nature and by seeing acts of kindness towards other people–and animals, too!
How do you spend your time outside music?
Endurance sports (marathon running, shorter runs with my dog Mac, long-distance biking–completed the STP in one day, even an iron-distance triathlon), hiking, gardening and baking!
John Kim, violin
Tell us about your journey to becoming a violinist?
I started learning the violin in the 5th grade in my public school orchestra class. I was the worst student, but it was just the beginning of a long career. Hence, the necessity of arts & music in public education is invaluable and essential to child development.
How did you decide to make a life in music?
Until high school it was my dream to become a doctor or a dentist, but that all changed after attending a summer music camp in Ohio.
Do you remember a time when you were young and something musical just grabbed you?
In high school, I got to play in the back of the orchestra for a church gig. William Boyd was the concertmaster and he had a few solos. The sweet sound that came out of his violin inspired me to practice and try to replicate the “professional” sound. I’ve had to the privilege of playing with him for many seasons in the PNB orchestra.
Where did you complete your musical studies?
I left high school early to attend the pre-college Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music where I eventually earned a Bachelor’s degree then finished graduate school at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Are there any musicians or teachers in particular who have played important roles in forming your thoughts as a musician?
Bernhardt Goldschmidt was the Principal Second Violinist of the Cleveland Orchestra who taught me how to play orchestra and chamber music. He was the kindest and most generous man. Alexander Schneider, the second violinist of the Budapest String Quartet and founder of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, made a life changing musical impression on my approach to music. Working with Joseph Silverstein during my time as Assistant Concertmaster of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra will always be cherished.
Share some of the musical moments that have most inspired you?
Playing under Seiji Ozawa at Tanglewood and Myung-Whun Chung at the Seoul Arts Center in Korea. Unforgettable experiences.
What was a most unusual performance you were involved in?
Performing with David Sanborn at the White House for Bill Clinton and also doing two 12 hour recording sessions with Whitney Houston for one of her music videos outdoors in the middle of winter somewhere in New Jersey.
Tell us your thoughts on the art of chamber music?
The intimacy and interaction between members of an ensemble and the immediate vibe and human connection with the audience are unique and thrilling. The heart of composers is often poured out onto the scores of chamber music, so it is exciting to capture that essence when performing string quartets.
How do you spend your time outside music?
Spending time with family and friends, bike riding, eating and watching Kdramas.
HyeKyung Seo, Violin
Tell us about your journey to becoming a violinist?
I started playing piano at a young age, alongside my older sister, learning from my mom who was a pianist. When I was seven years old, my mom took my sister and I to a violin teacher to see if one of us could start on the violin. I was chosen and that’s how I started playing violin.
How did you decide to make a life in music?
I grew up in a musical family. My mother was a professional pianist and a teacher. My father was a businessman but loved classical music and loved to sing. They gave all of their children, four girls, great training in classical instruments. It naturally became a big part of my life growing up and eventually a lifelong journey.
Do you remember a time when you were young and something musical just grabbed
you?
I grew up in Korea. Every time I had a chance to attend concerts of visiting soloists and
chamber musicians from Europe and the U.S., I was mesmerized to hear such high level
performances. Gidon Kremer, Yo-yo Ma, Alfred Brendel to name a few.
Where did you complete your musical studies?
I attended the pre-college at the JuilliardSchool where I also earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from.
Share some of the musical moments that have most inspired you?
That first time I put my step on Carnegie Hall. I had the privilege of playing on that stage for three years as a concertmaster of the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra. I still haven’t found any other hall that can carry the sound so beautifully, both performing on the stage and listening as an audience.
What are your (current) favorite classical pieces with and/or without violin?
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor!
Tell us your thoughts on the art of chamber music?
String quartet in particular, only involves four instruments, yet can create a wide range of different voices. From very simple melodies to very complex interwoven lines that can make music so interesting and very serious at times.
What keeps you artistically inspired?
The limitless ways to explore music. Also, seeing the fellow musicians in action, both in progress(rehearsals) and performances.
If you teach, what do you love about teaching?
I love helping students to improve their playing by finding different ways to solve technical difficulties they face. I also love seeing how
each student interprets and expresses the same music in many different ways.
Brian Wharton, cello
Tell us about your journey to becoming a cellist?
Both parents are professional cellists and pianists. My dad taught at the University of Idaho growing up and cello came naturally to me. He was my primary teacher. I fell in love with the Dvorak Cello Concerto in high school and never looked back. Sharing my music with people has become the main driver of my career.
Where did you complete your musical studies?
I started at the University of Idaho and then Peter Marsh from Western Washington University invited me to become a music student at Western Washington University where I graduated with my undergraduate degree. I won the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra concerto competition in 1994 and played the Dvorak Cello Concerto with that orchestra under Nick Bussard. I then studied at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Are there any musicians or teachers in particular who have played important roles in forming your thoughts as a musician?
My most influential teachers are my father and mother, Bill and Linda Wharton. Peter Marsh
and Walter Gray at WWU, and Yehuda Hanani at CCM. I love working with my colleague
Chuck Jacot at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. We share musical and technical thoughts all
the time. I was inspired by recordings of Leonard Rose when I was younger.
If you teach, what do you love about teaching?
I love to share my knowledge of the instrument with young players eager to learn and grow as musicians and people. I love to see them understand a concept and use it in a performance.
How do you spend your time outside music?
I enjoy walking with my family, traveling to new places, hiking, mountain climbing and backpacking. I also enjoy weight training and swimming. I am currently section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington.
