Suwon Yim, born in Seoul, South Korea, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in 2021 with a full scholarship, studying under jazz masters such as Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, and Terri Lyne Carrington. In 2022, she was selected as a top finalist for the Gutenberg Jazz Collective in Germany and toured Europe as the pianist for the Ray Brown Jr. Quartet, gaining extensive stage experience and expanding her jazz repertoire. Don’t miss our interview with Suwon Yim, where we discuss composing music, her influences, creative rituals, upcoming projects, and life.

Can you take us back to the beginning—how did your musical journey start?

Most of my family members love music. My grandfather and uncle were orchestra conductors, my mother is an organist, and my father taught himself how to play jazz piano. Because of that environment, even though I started learning the piano fairy late compared to other musicians, I always felt that music was part of my life. I can say that my passion for music began with my love for Japanese animation during childhood. But to be specific for jazz, I still remember the day my father played a Keith Jarrett song on a CD player. From that moment, I became interested in the genre and wanted to explore the world of jazz.

You graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and studied under jazz legends. How did that experience shape you personally and musically?

I was really fortunate to finish both my B.M and M.M at Berklee College of Music with full scholarships. Studying with jazz legends like Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, and Terri Lyne Carrington helped me shape my own musical identity and grow not just as an artist, but as a person. They showed me how music can be a way to offer something meaningful to the world. That year, only three pianists were accepted into the program. Being part of such an intense program and surrounded by talented classmates helped me to stay creative and helped me to broaden my perspective. It was truly a life changing experience that I would never forget.

From Seoul to Boston to Mainz—how have these different cultural environments influenced your sound and artistic growth?

Since I spent my whole childhood in Korea, every experience outside the country feels like a blessing. Studying in Boston felt like being in a movie and going to Mainz felt like a dream. I enjoy putting myself in different environments because new places give me a lot of inspiration for my music. Sometimes I go back and listen to my old releases or compositions and it is very fascinating to hear how my style has changed depending on where I was living at the time. It feels like I am traveling back to that place and experiencing all over again.

Who are your top three favorite composers of all time, and why? Are there any non-classical artists who influence your work?

Definitely Bach. His influence is everywhere. I feel like his music connects with pretty much every genre. When it comes to non-classical artists, I’d say Oregon and Fred Hersch. Their music has really helped shape the way I think about jazz.

What does your typical composing process look like? Do you have any specific rituals or environments that help you get into a creative flow?

Nature is my greatest inspiration. I always try to be close to it and feel the greenery. What I really like to do is I often imagine myself as a small bird wandering through the wilderness. I don’t usually sit down and write music right away. Imagining the nature gets my mind flowing and the ideas start to come naturally.

Which piece of music that you’ve composed is your favorite, and what makes it special to you?

I would pick ‘Burden’ as my favorite music that I’ve composed which is in my second jazz album released in 2022. I wrote it during a difficult time in my life, and working on that piece helped me get through it and grow as a person. It is a piece of music that I always come back to it. It reminds me of how far I have come.

Can you share any details about your upcoming projects or collaborations?

I recently released my first pre-single with Moderna Records. The second pre-single will be out on July 11th, and the full album will drop on August 1st. Lately, I’ve been really into neo-classical music, so I am planning to keep writing and releasing piano pieces throughout the year.

Finally, from your perspective, what is the meaning of life?

“Life is bittersweet.” Believe it or not, I’ve been saying this since I was a kid. For me life is a journey to find inner peace and use music as a way to heal hearts and share something meaningful with the world. We never know when life will end. But I believe we’re here to love, share and connect with each other.