In Conversation with Composer Ka Youn Yoo
An Exclusive Interview with Rising Star Composer Ka Youn Yoo
At The Commonwealth Resounds, we are privileged to work with many talented musicians and composers, and Ka Youn Yoo is certainly one of them. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to bridge cultures through music is truly inspiring. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting her, we sat down with Ka Youn to discuss her career, influences, and the impact of her work.
Innovative Sounds
Ka Youn bring together music from her Korean background and blends it beautifully with western orchestral sounds
Cultural Impact
By mixing sounds from many cultures, Ka Youn is making a name for herself across the world as she develops her own unique and instantly recognisable music.
In Conversation With Ka Youn Yoo
Q: You are very well known to us at The Commonwealth Resounds, but for those who may not have met you, can you describe your career so far? Tell us about your early influences in music and what led you to pursue a career in composition?
Ka Youn Yoo: My musical role model was my mum, a professional Daegum (Korean bamboo flute) player. Watching her performances as a child inspired me deeply. I joined an art troupe where I performed traditional Korean dance and songs, and touring 16 countries with them really sparked my passion for music. It was through watching international dramas that I decided to become a composer. Moving to the UK at 17 to study at The Purcell School transformed my journey, giving me the freedom to explore my creativity and develop my musical identity in a way that was not possible in Korea.
Q: How did your experience studying for a master’s degree in Composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music influence your approach to composition?
Ka Youn Yoo: Studying at SOAS before the Royal College of Music allowed me to explore a variety of instruments from around the world, such as the Gamelan, Tabla, and Chango. This exposure influenced my desire to incorporate these sounds into my compositions. At the Royal College of Music, I honed my skills in using technology and DAWs, which helped me develop my voice as a film composer, integrating traditional instruments into modern scores.
Ka Youn with her Mother
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I believe composition is a powerful tool for expressing personal and cultural identity.
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Q: Can you share some highlights from your studies, such as significant projects or collaborations that have been particularly impactful for you?
Ka Youn Yoo: One of the highlights was creating “K-Folklore: Past, Present, Future,” a showcase that encapsulated my journey as a musician. This project, performed at the Korean Culture Centre in the UK, combined traditional and modern Korean music and dance, and art. It was my first professional project with proper funding and a venue, and it aimed to provide a platform for emerging Korean artists. The full house and positive reception made it a particularly rewarding experience, and a documentary about the project is currently in production.
Q: Your works have been premiered in prestigious venues worldwide, including Cadogan Hall and the National Gugak Centre. Which of these performances stands out to you the most and why?
Ka Youn Yoo: The performance at Cadogan Hall with the Purcell School Orchestra stands out the most. They premiered my orchestral piece “Taepyeong,” which means “Peace.” It was my first orchestral commission and the first time I incorporated both Western and Eastern influences. Bringing together Korean rhythmic cycles within a Western orchestral setting allowed me to freely explore my identity as a composer.
Q: Can you describe the creative process behind one of your most acclaimed pieces?
Ka Youn Yoo: For “Fairytale Lullaby,” which was recorded at Angel Studios, I started with a solid piano sketch. The fun part is expanding this sketch for a full orchestra. Hearing the transformation from a simple piano line to a full orchestral piece felt like magic—a truly fairy tale experience.
Ka Youn receives a standing ovation at the premier of her composition for the Purcell School Symphony Orchestra at the Cadogan Hall
Ka Youn presents her concert of Korean music at her K-Folklore creation in London.
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Being a good composer makes me a better mentor, and vice versa. Both roles involve guiding and inspiring others while continuing to grow and learn myself.
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Ka Youn with one of her students from the first Composition concert in the Caribbean
Ka Youn with her students after the first ever Antiguan composition course
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working with musicians from different cultural backgrounds?
Ka Youn Yoo: Working with musicians from diverse backgrounds is incredibly rewarding. During my composition workshops in Antigua and Barbuda, I found the students’ enthusiasm for learning music to be very inspiring. Their positive attitude towards music is contagious and motivates me to continue exploring different cultural influences in my compositions.
Q: How do you believe music, and specifically your compositions, can help build and strengthen communities within the Commonwealth? Can you provide an example of a project or performance where you saw music bring people together in a meaningful way?
Ka Youn Yoo: Music allows people to discover different cultures. As a composer, I aim to promote Korean culture and encourage global audiences to experience diverse musical traditions. For example, my work with ABYSO involved incorporating local musical elements into orchestral arrangements, allowing students to explore their musical identities. I would love to create more projects that combine various cultural instruments, like steel pan with an orchestra, to foster deeper cultural exchange.
Q: You have worked with young musicians during your tours and collaborations. What impact do you hope to have on them through your music and mentorship? What advice would you give to young composers and musicians who aspire to create music that resonates across cultures and communities?
Ka Youn Yoo: I believe composition is a powerful tool for expressing personal and cultural identity. My goal is to help young musicians incorporate their cultural backgrounds into their music. My advice to them is to explore and embrace their cultural heritage in their compositions, as it adds a unique and powerful dimension to their work.
Q: How do you balance your roles as a mentor and as a composer?
Ka Youn Yoo: I don’t see them as separate roles. Being a good composer makes me a better mentor, and vice versa. Both roles involve guiding and inspiring others while continuing to grow and learn myself.
Q: Reflecting on your career so far, what are some of the most valuable lessons you have learnt?
Ka Youn Yoo: The most valuable lesson I have learned is the importance of maintaining one’s identity. Having a strong sense of who you are and what you want to express in your music solves many problems and leads to more authentic and impactful creations.
Q: How do you balance your creative aspirations with the practicalities of working as a composer in today’s music industry?
Ka Youn Yoo: Balancing creativity and practicality often involves collaboration. It’s essential to be open-minded and willing to discuss ideas with commissioners and collaborators. This collaborative approach helps resolve many challenges and leads to successful projects.
Q: How has technology influenced your approach to composition, especially in creating works for screen?Are there any technological advancements or tools that you find particularly exciting for the future of music composition?
Ka Youn Yoo: Technology has opened up many possibilities in composition, especially for screen. Recording and sampling non-Western instruments, for example, allows me to integrate diverse sounds into my work, even when traditional notation is not feasible.
AI tools like iZotope, which assist in mixing and mastering, are very exciting. They allow composers to produce high-quality work more efficiently, enhancing the creative process.
Q: How can audiences and fellow musicians support your work and your broader aims to foster cultural exchange through music?
Ka Youn Yoo: Supporting my concerts and following my work on social media is a great start. Additionally, I aim to build an initiative to represent artists based in Europe, promoting Korean traditional works and creating a space for young creatives to express their thoughts. Paying attention to cultural events and supporting emerging artists can make a significant difference.
Ka Youn recording and conducting her own composition
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It has been a pleasure talking to Ka Youn, she’s a confident and eloquent composer who clearly has a love for music. Ka Youn Yoo’s dedication to fostering cultural exchange through music is truly inspiring. Her ability to blend traditional Korean elements with modern compositions and share this with audiences worldwide highlights the power of music to bridge cultural divides. We look forward to seeing how her future projects continue to impact the global music community.
You can find out more by clicking on any of the links below to hear her music and visit her social media platforms.
