Violinist Danny Gu revealed the circumstances that led him to first pick up the violin.
On the morning of the 27th, Danny Gu was a guest on KBS1's "Morning Forum."
On that day, Danny Gu explained how he first encountered the violin, saying, "When I was young, my uncle was a study abroad student. I still remember my parents giving birth to me while they were students. So we lived in a small house, and during the holidays, my uncle came and practiced some instrument. It was the Viola." He added, "My mother played the piano when she was young. She always participated in the choir since I was little. I grew up listening to choral music. I told my mom I wanted to try a string instrument, so I picked up the Viola, but since the violin is smaller, I started with the violin."
However, my serious beginning was when I decided to major in violin at the end of my senior year in high school. Danny Gu said, "I was a case that chose very late. I did it as a hobby. What I am most grateful to my parents for is that they never pushed me. My dad always said, 'This is your life, and we have ours. Live as you like.' It was this kind of feeling. I wanted to study and do things, but I didn't intend to pursue music. Originally, I wanted to become a doctor because of the drama 'White Tower.' I thought it was so cool."
He noted, "But before entering senior year, I went to a festival during summer vacation. The reason I went for the interview was to get into a good school for studying. I was chosen to write my personal statement, but it was an art camp where I stayed for five weeks with musicians, modern dancers, actors, and writers. We collaborated and created works together. It was very fun. Our art looks and sounds nice, but I realized I could move people with it. After it ended in September, I thought I wanted to try music, so I prepared for the (music college) for three months."
When asked about his parents' reactions, Danny Gu said, "They were surprised and taken aback. Until then, I hadn't really practiced or competed; it was just a hobby, so they wondered why I was choosing this path. But thankfully, they let me be. Since I was going to school, it was my independence. I started running hard with gratitude."
After preparing for three months, I got into the prestigious New England Conservatory, and he said, "Fortunately, I met good teachers at a good school. It seems that when looking at a bachelor's degree in American or European conservatories, they focus a lot on potential. They consider if they can mentor this friend as a true sibling or student and help them grow. They seem more focused on these aspects, like whether they can treat them like family. While the techniques are important, the teachers were all elderly, and this is something that continues, but what is really needed is musicianship and how badly one wants it. I think they focused on what kind of story they want to tell."
Hearing this, reporter Kim Jae-won noted, "In Korea, students decide their majors in elementary school and practice for 8 to 10 hours a day, and even if they get into a specialized school, they may or may not enter college." Danny Gu replied, "That's why Koreans win competitions globally. They do it so well. It seems like there are clear pros and cons."
Danny Gu shared that there were many difficulties in competing with fully formed peers, saying, "When I first entered, I felt a lot of pressure. There were many talented friends, and students from Korea and China felt like very prepared performers. So from that point, I developed a hunger. I'm still technically lacking, but I thought I would gain confidence by being the last one to leave the practice room. No matter which room I enter, I want to be the one who works the hardest. So I started later than others, but I have become brighter."
[Photo] KBS1
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