Yuseon Nam appointed violinist of the Galliard String Quartet

Q&A with Yuseon

After appearing with Galliard String Quartet in concerts and educational programs over the past year, Yuseon now joins the ensemble as an official member. We spoke with her about what brought her to Hawai‘i, what draws her to chamber music, and what she is most looking forward to in her first season with CMH.

You’ve been part of Hawai‘i’s musical community since 2017. What first brought you here, and what made you want to stay?

I auditioned for the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra in 2017, which was also the year I graduated from Eastman, so the timing worked out perfectly. My boyfriend at the time, Michael Lim, was already living here, which was another reason I came to Hawai‘i.

What made me want to stay was the community. Hawai‘i has such a warm and supportive musical environment, and over time it really became home for me.

Your training spans Seoul National University, Indiana University, and Eastman. How did those experiences shape you as a musician?

I was very fortunate to study with incredible teachers such as Ik-Hwan Bae and Federico Agostini, and I learned so much from them. Both Indiana and Eastman also had very strong academic programs in theory and music history, which helped me become a more well-rounded musician. I also played a lot of chamber music at both schools, and that experience shaped me deeply as a musician as well.

At Indiana, I had the opportunity to work with Mimi Zweig and learned a great deal about violin pedagogy, which continues to influence my teaching today. Overall, those experiences helped shape both my performing and teaching career.

You balance performing with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and teaching across the community. How do those two sides of your work influence each other?

Teaching and performing really support each other for me. I love teaching, but performing with the Hawai‘i Symphony gives me an artistic outlet and keeps me growing as a musician. It keeps me in shape, and that helps me guide my students better. I’m also constantly inspired by the repertoire we play and the world-class artists the orchestra brings in.

I also value the community aspect of it. I’ve built strong bonds with colleagues who also teach in the symphony, and it’s been meaningful to work together through different organizations and educational programs.

Teaching has also helped me become a better musician. You learn so much from teaching, and the more you teach, the more you understand the mechanics of playing and how music works on a deeper level.

What draws you to chamber music, and what makes the string quartet a special format for you?

What draws me to chamber music is the collaboration. It’s so rewarding to make music closely with other people who may think or play differently from me, and I always learn a lot from that process.

I think the string quartet is probably one of the most perfectly balanced formats for string instruments. There is such an incredible repertoire written for quartet, and I’m very excited to continue exploring those works with the Galliard String Quartet.

What interested you in joining Galliard String Quartet at this point in your career?

I had the chance to perform with the group for a couple of concerts and educational shows this year, and I enjoyed the experience very much. I connected naturally with the other members both musically and personally.

I also admire what Galliard String Quartet and Chamber Music Hawai‘i are doing for the community, especially through education and outreach, so joining the quartet felt like an exciting next step for me.

What has it been like stepping into an ensemble with such a long history in Hawai‘i?

It has been a huge honor for me to become part of a quartet with such a long history in Hawai‘i. The other three members have been playing together for a long time, so stepping into that environment and learning the quartet’s style has been a really meaningful journey for me.

It’s not only about the musical side, but also learning how each member communicates and works together as an ensemble. They already have so much shared experience and repertoire behind them, so I’m still learning a lot from that process, and I’ve really been enjoying it.

Are there particular composers or pieces you feel especially connected to right now?

That’s a hard question because there are always so many pieces I love, but Bach is a composer I feel connected to at all times. I always find something new in his music, and I can listen to it any day, at any time, and never get tired of it.
Lately, though, Rossini’s Stabat Mater has been stuck in my head. I’ve been thinking about that piece a lot recently.

You’ve taken on leadership and education roles in Hawai‘i’s music community. What motivates that work for you?

Education is my passion and calling. I feel a strong responsibility to pass on the knowledge, guidance, and teaching that I received from my own mentors and teachers.

I truly love working with students of all ages, from very young children to older and more advanced students. I love seeing their curiosity, energy, and genuine interest in learning. Being part of that process is very special to me.

I’ve also been serving on the board of the Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association and have helped organize competitions and events for many years. I believe strongly in creating opportunities and providing meaningful musical experiences for students across the islands.

Outside of music, what are some things that bring you joy or help you stay grounded?

I love good food, and that’s actually something I have in common with the other members of the Galliard String Quartet. We all enjoy exploring and eating good food together.

I also enjoy reading books, especially Korean books, and going to the library. Those quieter moments help me feel grounded and balanced outside of music.

What are you most excited about in your first season with Chamber Music Hawai‘i, and what do you hope audiences take away from your performances?

I’m really excited about next season’s lineup and programming. I think there’s such a wonderful balance between old and new repertoire, and also an interesting variety of styles and genres across the programs.

I’m excited to explore all of those different works with the quartet, and I hope audiences can feel that sense of variety, connection, and excitement through our performances.