Q&A with Dr. Gwang Kim

Dr. Gwang Kim was hired this fall as an assistant professor of music and the director of instrumental studies at The Master’s University. He is an accomplished trombonist, with graduate and doctoral degrees from UCLA and performance experience with various orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has a passion to reflect God’s beauty through the art of music.

We recently sat down with him to hear about his perspective on his craft and his future goals in the School of Music.

Q: What most excites you about being at TMU?

The most exciting thing is to be on a campus where we’re all united by our love for and devotion to Christ and Scripture. I think there’s something special about teaching students who share the same faith. It really is an amazing privilege and responsibility to positively influence the next generation of musicians who can shine as salt and light in the field of music.

Q: What are your goals as the director of instrumental studies?

My first and foremost goal is to strive for excellence. In that pursuit, we draw closer to God and bring glory to Him. In order for us to promote excellence and raise the level of music in our churches, it has to start from the study here in university. That’s my goal.

I also want to show students the beauty of making music with one another. We’re all made in the image of God, and for us to then come together and create beautiful music is such a true gift and privilege. I want students to realize that and treat it as something special and worth enjoying. We should be joyful making melodies to the Lord!

Q: What was your experience with music growing up?

I grew up in Santa Clarita after moving here when I was 7, and I started playing trombone in elementary school. My mom played the piano, and my dad was a pastor. I started out by playing hymns at church during the worship. That’s how I started learning to read and play music: through the hymnbook.

Q: Did you always want to teach undergrad music?

By the time I was done with my undergraduate degree, I was wondering, “How do I glorify God in what I do?” My calling and my mission then became this: I want to pursue excellence at the highest level, because I want to magnify Christ’s excellence. Then, during my master’s degree, the Lord started to pique my curiosity in teaching. I never thought of myself as a teacher, but the Lord continued to work in me and guided me to find a new calling and passion in teaching, which I’m grateful for.

Q: Who is your wife, and what are some of her accomplishments?

My wife is my better half. She is also a doctor — Dr. Kim. She’s a dentist, and she works around the area here. She went to Harvard for her undergrad degree, and then to UCLA for her dental school. Every day I’m married to her, the Lord makes it increasingly clear that He knows me best, and He loves me so much.

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