[Power K-Women] "The Top Virtues of a Pro Are Skill, Responsibility, and Diligence"

The Epitome of Gentle Charisma, Maestra Yeo Ja-gyeong
"I Hope to Be a Person Who Positively Influences with a Kind Heart"
"I Believe Hope Comes from Philanthropy"

"Even with the same orchestra, the outcome can be completely different depending on the conductor. When I draw out a sound I like, a good sound, that feeling is indescribable. That is why I cannot put down the baton."

Just like fingerprints, a person's voice has unique characteristics. Conductor Yeo Ja-kyung's tone is soft and warm, yet it carries a marble-like firmness. The smile she wears every time she speaks is the same. It may be a clich? expression, but she truly embodies the archetype of 'gentle charisma.'

"Unfortunately, I don't have any major international awards. Korea has been sweeping international competitions lately, but I have never won first place in an international conducting competition. I don't seem to be the kind of conductor who gets excited about competitions."

She firmly emerged into the spotlight when she won third place at the Prokofiev International Conducting Competition held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 2008. She was the first woman to be listed among the winners at a Russian competition, attracting significant attention overseas. She was in her mid-30s at the time. Since then, she has conducted the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Besan?on Municipal Orchestra in France, and the Orchestre National de Lyon in Paris, and domestically, she has guest-conducted the KBS Symphony Orchestra and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

'Maestra' is a term used to refer to female conductors. Until now, in the Korean classical music scene, where conductors were naturally assumed to be male and called 'Maestro,' the emergence of a female conductor was refreshing. In October 2017, she made a strong impression by conducting the KBS Symphony Orchestra for the Blue House state banquet concert commemorating U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Korea.

Conductor Yeojagyeong (Photo by Yeojagyeong)

She became widely known even to the general public unfamiliar with classical music when she appeared on MBC's entertainment program 'How Do You Play?' in early 2020. At that time, she conducted the Korean Symphony concert in which Yoo Jae-suk participated as a harpist. To highlight the harp performance for Yoo's rapid orchestra debut, she arranged Beethoven's song 'Ich liebe dich,' and Yoo repeatedly exclaimed "Cool" in admiration of her charismatic leadership.

Like everyone else, she had many things she wanted to do as a child. She wanted to be an actor the most, and also dreamed of being a playwright, pianist, poet, teacher, painter, and so on. Then, vaguely wanting to pursue music, she entered Hanyang University’s composition department. However, modern music composition did not suit her aptitude, and she spent many sleepless nights worrying about her career just before graduation. At that time, a professor recommended she major in conducting, saying she had a good ear, played piano well, knew various instruments, and had a talent for communicating with people.

At that time, Hanyang University graduate school did not have a conducting department. When she applied for the conducting department, the faculty and curriculum were established, and thus she became the first student in the conducting department at Hanyang University graduate school. Her conducting debut was in May 1996 with the university opera festival production of 'L'elisir d'amore.' The following June, she made her professional debut as a guest conductor for the Chuncheon Philharmonic Orchestra’s regular concert. Since then, she has conducted on stage more than 1,000 times.

"The best thing I have done in life is to make music my profession," she says, and the most dramatic moment was when she embarked on the path of music. She had learned piano and cello since childhood, accompanied the church choir, and participated in school choir and orchestra activities, but only at an ordinary level like everyone else.

"One night when I was twenty, the desire to make music my profession surged so strongly. I stood leaning against the wall in my room, prayed to God first, then with a solemn determination, went to persuade my parents. At that time, in my family’s atmosphere and environment, majoring in music was like a miracle for me."

At thirty, she went to study in Austria entirely on her own. Although it was a late age, she earned the highest scores throughout the department from admission to graduation, receiving the Jan??ek Scholarship, awarded to only one person each year, and the scholarship from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna every semester. Since receiving an A+ (1 point) in all subjects meant about 600 euros per month in scholarship, she had no choice but to work extremely hard.

Conductor Yeojagyeong (Photo by Yeojagyeong)

She did not put down the baton even during pregnancy. At the finals of the Besan?on International Conducting Competition in France, she drove herself from Vienna to Besan?on while seven months pregnant. Even when she was full-term and close to giving birth, she flew from Vienna to participate in Korea’s first international conducting competition held in Suwon. She submitted a doctor’s note and even signed a letter of responsibility taking full accountability in case of any problems.

It is astonishing how she, born as a fiftieth child, possesses such iron stamina. Does she have a special health management secret?

"Actually, I am more fragile than anyone and have many aches here and there. I just endure it with mental strength. I think this is all possible because I love my work. Even if I am sick all night, once I start working, I get recharged."

An orchestra is a small society. The music changes completely depending on the style of the leader, the conductor. Herbert von Karajan, called the emperor of 20th-century classical music, dominated the orchestra with strong leadership. Arturo Toscanini, known for his stubborn personality and strict interpretations, would yell and curse at musicians during rehearsals if he was dissatisfied. Karl B?hm, a Mozart specialist, conducted with simple but restrained gestures, thoroughly planning everything. Leonard Bernstein, who enjoyed music freely, conducted by raising emotions. Lorin Maazel, who debuted as a conductor at eight years old, was excellent in baton technique. These world-renowned conductors each had different styles. I wonder who the female conductor follows.

"Currently, I don’t have a particular role model. I am not the type to get excited, cry, or laugh while immersed in music. When conducting, I tend to focus on communicating with the musicians in front of me rather than the audience behind. I want the musicians to harmonize and create a beautiful ensemble."

Her advice to junior female conductors is simple. The most important virtue to become a professional in this world is skill. Next is responsibility and sincerity as a leader. And one more thing: never cry while working.

Conductor Yeojagyeong (Photo by Yeojagyeong)

What the female conductor values most when conducting is the heart of humans loving and cherishing each other. She treasures relationships between people deeply. Her profession has made her even more relationship-oriented.

"My life goal as a conductor and as a human being is to live as someone who influences those around me positively with a good heart, no matter what I do. I believe hope comes from humanity."

She evaluates herself as expressing Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Mahler, and Ravel’s works well. Her favorite piece is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, the last symphony, specifically the fourth movement with the choral finale. It is because of the message in Friedrich Schiller’s poem 'Ode to Joy' set to the lyrics.

"All men shall embrace! This is the kiss for the whole world! Brothers beyond the stars is our loving Father. All men shall embrace! - from Friedrich Schiller’s 'Ode to Joy'"

Like Schiller, who said "As long as the sun shines, hope shines," and Beethoven, who showed indomitable will through composition, Maestra Yeo Ja-kyung wants to convey the value of hope that comes from humanity on stage.

▶About Conductor Yeo Ja-kyung

She holds a bachelor's degree in composition and a master's degree in conducting from Hanyang University. She later earned a master's and a doctorate in musicology in conducting from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. She has served as adjunct professor at Dankook University College of Music, artistic director and principal conductor of the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, among other roles. In 2020, she was selected as one of the 16 powerful female conductors worldwide by the classical magazine Gukseok. She is the author of 'Behind Classic.'

Writer: Chu Myeong-hee