We are proud to announce 2 scholarship recipients from The People's Music School. Miss Whe Do Kim has interviewed and auditioned students from TPMS and finalized 2 students to study with her and thus, a full scholarship has been granted to these new students by Miss Kim:
Sebastian Eser, 7 years old
Attending Northside Catholic Academy
Valeria Rodriguez, 9 years old
Attending Interamerican Magnet School
The LPMC Foundation has formed her first partnership with the non-profit organization People's Music School! The People's Music School is a free music school for Chicago children aged 5-18. They emphasize community and discipline along with a dedicated and intensive study of music, values that are shared with the Lincoln Park Music Center. Our new pairing has given way to many new, exciting projects! Stay tuned for more about our new partnership!
Hello All,
My name is Lena Hoplamazian and I am one of the High School members of the Lincoln Park Music Center Foundation. I also had the immense pleasure of taking part in the two-week whirlwind tour of Prague, Crakow, Warsaw, Vienna and Salzburg over this summer. I was able to preform with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and witness the incredible beauty and history of Europe with some of my fellow musicians and friends. Hear some of their own experiences in the section below.
It is an incredible opportunity to be able to go to three countries, five cities, and countless sites related to distinguished classical composers all in the span of two weeks. The first stop was Prague in the Czech Republic, where I had the pleasure to perform with the talented Czech National Symphony Orchestra. I am sure not many can say they've done the same. Soon thereafter, we were off to Poland, a place that I now hold very dear to my heart due to two very important things: everything related to my favorite composer Frédéric Chopin (his birthplace, the church where he was baptized, the church that now holds his heart, and much more), and the patriotic and kind Polish people from whom we learned so much about their country's history. Poland, a place I had never imagined going to, is now one of my favorite places in the world. Next was Austria, where we visited the homes of many composers including Beethoven, Strauss, and Mozart. We covered so much in such a small span of time - it was impressive. Visiting all of these places undoubtedly strengthened my love for classical music. I left Austria with Strauss' "Blue Danube" stuck in my head and hummed for days afterwards.
--Jane Agler
Europe’s incredible music, architecture, history, and ambiance captured me once again. Traveling back to Prague and performing at the Ambassador’s residence was an incredibly enriching experience. I was fascinated by the long history of the home—it originating as the home to the country’s richest jewish family, then seized by the Nazis and Soviets, and finally, owned by the Americans—and experienced it in each beautiful room. Performing with the National Czech Orchestra is a privilege and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.
Moving out of Prague and into Poland, the landscape and people changed. I got to experience a brand new set of customs, food, and lifestyle. Although devastated by the war, Poland’s beauty is restored in the architecture capturing historic polish style. Salzburg and Vienna brought the beauty of the Austrian countryside and the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Strauss, and more. I quickly absorbed the rich musical history the nation over the centuries. Through a mixture of Viennese history and snapshots into the lives of composers, I understood why Vienna was the center of the music world. I was inspired by the several live musical performances that we saw throughout the cities. I found myself excited to return home and start new pieces and research the music I had heard (even attempt to play some too). The experience stays with me as the height of my musical journey with Miss Kim. I can happily look forward to my last concert with the Prague performance behind me, adding to my confidence and experience as a pianist.
-- Isabella Norris
This trip was easily one of the best experiences of my life. I feel life all my years as a piano player have lead up to this. We have learned so much information about the composers and the music over the years, but to actually be in the heart of it all was amazing. I particularly loved going to Chopin's house; he is my favorite composer and his house was just beautiful. I also enjoyed going to the palaces, such as the Schömbrunn Palace and the Hofburg Palace. Although the concerts we attended were not typical concerts (rather than being serious and emotional, they were rather light and funny), they were still very fun to go to. I also enjoyed being with the group and spending time with people I really like. It was nice to take a break once in a while and go shopping with my friends. Overall, this trip was amazing and I cannot thank the people who made it happen enough.
--Max Pizer-Lippitz
Our two weeks in Europe were a wonderful combination of academic inquiry, musical exploration, and great ice cream! In Prague, our concert was an adventure in improvisation, with only one rehearsal with the orchestra before we performed in the beautiful ambassador's residence. In Krakow, walking through the square and enjoying the beauty of such an old city was exhilarating. In Warsaw, the feeling of the big city was incredibly exciting, and seeing Chopin's house was a great experience. The history and gravity of our visit to Auschwitz stuck with us throughout the trip. Austria was beautiful, and walking the bridges and through the fort in Salzburg was a peaceful experience. The gardens were lush and the market was friendly and colorful. Our final destination, Vienna, was enriching and interesting, from our private concert on Strauss' piano, to the wienerscnitzel we enjoyed on the last night. All in all, the trip was wonderful, and we are all so thankful to have had the opportunity to tour Europe in such a thoughtful way.
-- Mara Hoplamazian
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Lincoln Park Music Center and its founder, Miss Whe Do Kim, students and families will launch the LPMC Foundation on February 14, 2015. at its annual concert. It is obviously not a coincidence that Miss Kim chose Valentines Day to launch an organization focused on teaching lessons in Love, Peace, Mercy and Compassion or LPMC.
The LPMC Foundation carries Miss Kim's unique philosophy and talents regarding Medium, Message and Mastery to students in underserved communities. For 30 years, Miss Kim has used her educational mastery of the piano medium to message ideals that can help children develop into responsible and loving adults. The LPMC experience teaches life lessons about diligence and defeat, about resilience and reward, and about collaborating and coping. These are life-long tools that make for striving and thriving adults.
At the concert, current student members of the Foundation will be performing. Many of the graduated students of the Foundation will be in the audience to share in the celebration.