Senior Spotlight: Irene Kim, flute

What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?

I have been in AYP for 3 years. I have also played in AYSO for a year and AYCO for a year before that.

A funny, favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?

My most memorable experience would have to be my first AYP season. I still cannot believe that I was given the opportunity to be in the presence of and interact with such talented musicians; the inspiration I drew from them still fuels my passion for music today. And playing such monumental repertoire, such as Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Bernstein's West Side Story, and Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, with them under the baton of Maestro Zimmerman made this experience all the more rewarding.

What musician inspires you and why?

Emmanuel Pahud, the principal flutist of the Berlin Philharmonic, inspires me the most. His beautiful tone and effortless technique have always pushed me to improve my own playing in order to someday come close to how he plays.

Your advice for young musicians?

Take advantage of any and all opportunities that come your way! You may think that you are not "good enough" to enter a competition or apply to music programs, but if you never take the chance on yourself, you will never know if you are. You will also grow immensely as a musician in just preparing for those opportunities.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

I will be attending Princeton University in the fall. I am currently planning on studying something in the natural sciences. I hope to continue performing and playing in orchestras in college!