INTERVIEW] In-Hong Cha says, “The violin has been a good friend, and is like a healer”
[INTERVIEW] In-Hong Cha says, “The violin has been a good friend, and is like a healer”
http://cafe.daum.net/weeklymonday/iSZz
In-Hong Cha tells the story of overcoming his physical handicap and becoming a successful violinist
Dr. In-Hong Cha is a violinist of delicate and refined musicality. After going through the tough competition of 83 applicants for only 1 position, he became a professor at Wright State University in Ohio, USA. He serves as the director and conductor of the Wright University Symphony Orchestra.
People might assume that he grew up in a prestigious environment, but this is not exactly the case. When he was young, he suffered from polio and could not use his legs any more. He was sent to a rehabilitation center and grew up far from his parents. While at the rehabilitation center, he heard the sounds of a violin being played; this inspired him so much that he decided to become a violinist. Now, he has become a successful musician with the nickname of ‘Maestro in a Wheelchair.’
In a recent visit to Korea, Dr. Cha spread hope to Korean students through his story of overcoming misfortune, and played a heart-touching violin performance.
“It was very difficult to overcome my physical disability and tough situation. However, whenever frustrations arose, people would come from nowhere and help me. I experienced this many times. If I am asked to say what attitude I have in life, it would be: I have no choice but to live in this world, and so I should be diligent. No one told this to me, but I decided for myself that I shouldn’t go astray and I should keep a good character and personality, and be a diligent person. I thought about these things many times. When I did that, I think people helped me because they saw me as a kind and diligent boy.”
Music was his best friend when his life was tough.
“I think the violin has been my friend in difficult times. From the days when I was just a young boy and grew up without enough money to go to school, I have kept on playing the violin. I think that my efforts to become a violinist playing beautiful music helped me not to become a failure beaten by adversities and hardships. That’s how I think I did not get frustrated, and why the violin became a good friend. Indeed, the violin was like a healer, so to speak. Though I am not one of the world’s best violinists, I feel happy and satisfied when I play it.”
Dr. In-Hong Cha says that high school students should not stop making an effort to develop a strong, persevering character and a great, brilliant ability.
“I want to talk about what it is like to be a great person. When parents generally tell their children to become a great person, I think, they mean you should be equipped with a great character along with an outstanding ability. Success in this world means obtaining a wonderful ability. If you have ability, you can get a higher place, and become a high-profile person, right? However, I think it does not mean a good quality of life. on the contrary, what if the person has nothing but a good character without the ability? He might not be able to live a commonly accepted, normal life, right? I think success in life means having a balance of a desirable character and a brilliant ability. I cannot ensure how successful that person will be in life, but I’m sure that person definitely deserves to be called successful.”
08호 2017년 6월 26일자 01(인쇄본).pdf