"What we feed our mind is what we become" • Violinist Karen Gomyo • Living the Classical Life

“Dorothy DeLay told me to learn and memorize Glazunov Concerto in three days. She taught you how to ask yourself questions.”
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Violinist Karen Gomyo gives a heartfelt account of growing up with a single mother and dividing her energies between violin, karate, and ballet until a performance by Midori transformed her life trajectory and led her to legendary teacher Dorothy DeLay. Gomyo examines what it means to express musical artistry in the larger world, find an authentic voice, and find a zone on stage as an introvert.
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Episode 93 Filmed in Berlin in May 2021 Running time: 40 minutes
Video: www.katalog-film.de
0:00 Intro and Piazzolla Tango Etude
2:23 Start of conversation
3:16 Violin, Karate, and Ballet as a start
5:46 Finding a musical calling / Midori
12:40 Dorothy DeLay
29:57 Finding the zone on stage
34:14 Getting through tough times
38:53 End credits

[@emilyhutjes]

Just one more musician and also a lovely young lady. Just such a joy to listen to her and Zsolt. 🌷🌷🌷

[@ilmaestro6582]

As someone who never wanted to play an instrument as a child, I am so gracious I got into classical music in my early 20s. It enriches my life so much and I do believe it would be a good thing if classical music would be more common in our society. RUclips and especially channels like yours, helped and still help me a lot to learn more about (classical) music. I do very much appreciate the work you do for people like me and the classical community as a whole. Thank you!

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

Thank you so much for your amazing words! Your support gives us reason to go on with the hard work that it requires ✨🙏

[@theisleofwright]

What a remarkable human being.

[@olgasandakova7144]

Re-watched this magical episode with great pleasure. Karen is such a combination of the gentle and the forceful - just amazing! I would call this conversation as co-reflection and we owe a lot to the host for his subtle interviewing approach that has enabled authenticity of this discovery.

[@richterkleiber]

I’m so grateful for your constant and incredible support dear Olga! People like you make it all worth the tremendous effort-thank you ✨✨🙏🙏

[@lenircotia]

What an inspiring interview! Thank you so much for this idea of this channel!

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

We are so happy to hear from you and to know that you like our work-thank you!

[@dawnoei1782]

Wonderful interview.

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

Glad you enjoyed! Grateful to you for watching ✨🙏

[@janerose1945]

Karen is delightful.

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

She most certainly is-and we thank you for watching! -zsolt

[@wayneliu6332]

Greetings from Taiwan! Just heard Gomyo’s excellent performance in Taipei! I really like the phrases and articulation when she breathes. Looking forward to next album ~

[@richterkleiber]

Yes she’s amazing and heartfelt and soulful!

[@richterkleiber]

Yes she’s amazing and heartfelt and soulful!

[@Modmansf]

This whole series has been a great discovery , never too technical but certainly probing and purposeful. One thing I would like is to know about the instrument the artist is playing, something of it's character and history. I look forward to hearing more of these conversations.

[@richterkleiber]

@@Modmansf great suggestion-I’ll make sure I ask more about the instruments in the future ✨👍

[@realitywins2177]

Enjoyed so much, the reflection in this interview. Karen’s comment on her “deliberateness” of learning violin really hit me. After the pandemic, I slowed down and took up the viola. Only about 1 yr later I’m relaxing into allowing my capacity to slow me down. Each string using as conscious technique. I’ve struggled to do that with piano. To accomplish that intimate concentration, holding the viola so close. The question also about when Ms. DeLay said to come back in 2 or 3 weeks, what was done during that time. Some days, I think my mind is processing something I don’t know about? He playing is mesmerizing and so pleasurable. Passionate. I realized from her talking, if I just learn slowly applying the technique, my “way” will emerge. So wise for so young. This interview was supportive. Instructive even, how to reach in. Thank you so much both of you.

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

Wow, and thank you for this feedback as well--it gives us such reason to want to continue doing the difficult work required to put these together, when we know we are reaching you! -zsolt

[@juliejules7780]

I started violin at 35 because my parents couldn't afford violin lessons as a child

[@Living-the-Classical-Life]

We hope your studies are bringing great music into your life!