Korean-born clarinetist, Wonkak Kim, is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Oregon School of Music. Wonkak has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at leading venues throughout the United States, as well as in Paris, London, Ghent, Geneva, Seoul, Osaka, Costa Rica, and Brazil. He was the first Korean clarinetist to perform Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto on basset clarinet in a nationally broadcasted concert with Seungnam Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea. Wonkak is a founding member of enhakē, the clarinet-violin-cello-piano quartet, which is in its 12th season and has been praised for rhythmic integrity. 

Won joins The Playful Musician to chat about his musical beginnings, from Korea to Paris to the United States. We discuss the nuances of clarinet teaching, including how to pace expectations. Wonkak shares how he approaches memorization and tips for musicians still honing the process. We chat about his interests outside of music, the basset clarinet, and about his many upcoming projects, including performing with the Rogue Valley Symphony.