Opus 1 Music Studio is thrilled to introduce its newest voice and piano Teacher, Young-Rang! Reflecting on her early exposure to the world of opera, Young-Rang reminisces, "I found my love for music from my parents because they loved music! When I was in elementary school, I found an LP of opera arias that my dad had, and started listening to it. I still remember the fresh and happy shock I felt when I heard that music."
Her own musical journey began at the age of five when her mom encouraged her to embrace the piano, "When I decided to major in voice and started accompanying myself, I remembered the piano I learned as a child without knowing I was going to major in music, and I was so grateful to my mother." Her gratitude extends to the foundation laid in childhood, enabling her to delve into accompaniment classes in college and graduate school, eventually paving her path to becoming a piano teacher.
Choosing to major in voice following accolades from teachers and friends, Young-Rang went on to claim victories in various competitions. She earned her bachelor's degree in vocal performance from Yonsei University in South Korea and later pursued a master's degree, also in vocal performance, from the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Specializing in classical vocal music, with a particular emphasis on opera, Young-Rang's academic journey focused on infusing musical expression into the technical aspects, especially when performing on stage.
The stage became her canvas for numerous standout performances, solidifying her reputation. "In both undergraduate and graduate school, I was cast in leading roles in production operas and received excellent reviews and many awards for each performance. I won first place in the '96 East Bay Opera League, which I competed in during graduate school, and excelled as the lead Carmen in the '97 San Francisco Opera Guild production of 'Carmen,' for which I auditioned immediately after graduation," she proudly shared.
Embracing the role of a teacher at the encouragement of mentors and peers, Young-Rang discovered profound joy in shaping musical minds. During the pandemic, Young-Rang embraced online teaching, and now, she is excited to return to face-to-face instruction. Her arrival at Opus 1 Music Studio signifies a new and exciting chapter in her journey. Impressed by the studio's expansive and well-organized setup, she notes, "I was surprised to see that Opus 1 Music Studio is very large, which I thought could be a new and exciting chapter in my journey. The fact that they have so many talented teachers in a well-organized system that allows them to focus solely on music and teaching students was very appealing to me, so I am very happy to have joined the team!"
Young-Rang reflects on the most rewarding aspects of her teaching career, stating,"I think the most rewarding part of being a teacher is when you have a great relationship with a student, they improve, and you can see that improvement in a recital. When I see a student's happy face when they are satisfied with their performance, those are the moments that have been the happiest for me as a teacher."
With these sentiments, Young-Rang brings not just technical expertise but a deep understanding of the emotional journey of each student, making her a valuable addition to Opus 1 Music Studio.