Mason Community Arts Academy

Tag: Dr. Seon Gyu Park

Categories
Events Faculty News

May the 4th Be With You: 2025 Spotlight on the Arts Festival

vocal teacher performing in front of an audience

Congratulations to our music faculty for a splendid evening of music and voice at yesterday’s Fairfax, Spotlight on the Arts festival performance. Our theme this year was music from film and television.

Pieces ranged from the main theme of Interstellar, performed by Dr. Nayoon Choi on flute and Dr. Estrella Hong accompanying on piano, to a selection of pieces from Star Wars and The Hobbit, performed by a guitar trio of Geoff Sawyer, Brian Slaymaker, and Hang Yin. 

This year was our highest attendance to date with 150 attendees! We look forward to more performances by our faculty in the future and we hope to see you for next year’s Spotlight performance.

This performance was made possible with the generous support of the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts.

Categories
Events

Mason Community Arts Academy Students Shine at ARTS by George!

MCAA was proud to participate in the annual ARTS by George! celebration on September 28th, presenting a showcase of student work.

Featured were our Spotlight on the Arts scholarship recipient Camryn Carter, a musical theater student under the direction of Adam Lemos and Emi Eiting, performing “Waiting for Life” from the musical Once on this Island. Jakin Jordan-Brangman, a longtime student in Masha Feygelson’s piano studio and another Spotlight on the Arts scholarship recipient, performed Toccata in E-minor. Closing out the presentation was Victoria Hong, a student in Dr. Seon Gyu Park’s voice studio singing “Journey to the Past” from Anastasia, accompanied by esteemed MCAA piano teaching artist Dr. Estrella Hong.

Academy Voice Teaching Artist, Ashlyn Rock (left), performed “Sempre libera” from Verdi’s La Traviata, prior to Lea Salonga’s performance.

ARTS by George! is an important fundraising event for George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Proceeds from the event are distributed to CVPA’s academic units, MCAA, and the Green Machine, to help fund scholarships. Our heartfelt thanks to those who attended our showcases, and to all of the evening’s attendees for their generous support of student work.

You can view more photos from the event on our Facebook and Instagram.

Categories
Faculty News

Area Coordinator: Dr. Seon Gyu Park

Introducing our Academy Voice Area Coordinator, Dr. Seon Gyu Park! The Area Coordinators provide a central connection for Academy faculty and staff with all private lesson studios at the Academy. They are experienced teachers and music professionals who serve as a resource, colleague, and leader within their instrumental area. We asked Dr. Park her thoughts on becoming a voice area coordinator.

“Since 2015, I have worked as a voice teaching artist at the Mason Community Arts Academy. Recognizing the need for strong bonds between teachers in the same area, I am honored to have been offered the position of Voice Area Coordinator. I will serve as a bridge between voice area teachers and the Academy, working diligently to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.”

Dr. Seon Gyu Park

1) What is your earliest music memory?

Since I was little, around 4-5 years old, I have loved to sing. As I entered school, my passion for singing grew, and I started participating in voice competitions, winning many of them. In third grade, I had the amazing opportunity to join the MBC broadcast children’s choir, where I made countless precious memories and gained valuable experiences.

2) What do you like most about playing your instrument?

What I love most about singing is that it is a journey of self-discovery. The human body serves as the instrument, and in order to sing effectively, one must closely observe both their physical and mental state and understand how they harmonize. Through the process of learning to sing, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

3) What is one of your hobbies or interests outside of music?

Playing with my two cute chihuahua puppies. I love traveling, too.

4) What has been a highlight of teaching at the Academy?

Every moment I spend with my students is a cherished highlight of my teaching at the academy. I fully recognize that each moment shared with them is unique and can never be replicated. It brings me immense joy to witness the growth of my students. Being able to play a part in their lives and musical journey is something I deeply appreciate.

5) How do you prepare yourself to have a productive practice session?

Before each practice session, I meticulously plan what to practice and determine the duration of each practice segment. This structured approach helps me practice more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, I prioritize warming up my body and voice before singing. By doing so, I not only prevent strain and stress on my vocal cords but also minimize the risk of experiencing discomfort or pain.