It’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and today we’re highlighting the amazing works of AANHPI people in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania.See the story in the video aboveKorean music has come a long way, but traditional music is an art form that is truly special. “I play two string instruments and one drum. The two string instruments are called gayageum, one is 25-string and one is 12-string,” said Lily Chun. Lily, 9, is playing an instrument that Koreans have played since the sixth century Silla period, approximately 1,500 years ago. The larger 25-string instrument was developed in the 1980s with more strings and a wider range of ways to play music.Lily has always had an interest in learning about traditional Korean music.“I read this book about the Korean instruments. I was curious what they were, but now I learned that not many people in the world even play this, so I wanted to teach other people my culture, and I know a long time ago in Korea, a lot of people played it,” said Lily. With guidance and support from her mom, Jenny, Lily says her passion for music has grown, even inspiring her younger brother, Skyler. “I play the daegu. Dae means ‘kudah,’ which means ‘big’ in Korean; the drum is big,” said Skyler. The daegu is a percussion instrument used in celebrations today, but thousands of years ago, it was used for royal court parties and folk music. It’s riveting to hear the music, and there’s a lot of skill that goes into playing these instruments.Skyler and Lily are students of Selahart Institute.A school in Lancaster, Selahart offers lessons on traditional Korean dance, music and art for domestic students and international students.Chamin Kang is an international student from Seoul, South Korea. She met Lily and Skyler in class and has found a home away from home. Chamin plays several instruments, all classical traditional Korean instruments. Her passion is to keep traditional Korean music alive and to find confidence within her Korean culture. “When people see something I want them to notice, oh that’s Korean culture since, since East Asian culture is kind of similar, so when I’m wearing a hanbok they say, ‘Oh, they’re Chinese or something like that.’ I want them to notice, ‘Oh, that’s Korean culture.’” She says developing her skills in music has helped her feel more comfortable.Even though she may miss home, she is grateful to be here. “When I was here in Lancaster, there was not many Koreans even at school. Sometimes I felt lonely because, in senior year, I was the only Korean international student, too; they speak their own language. I was the only one to speak Korean,” said Chamin. The hanbok she mentions is a Korean outfit that used to be worn daily. Now, it’s more of a statement or used at parties, weddings and special events.Chamin said hanboks were worn as everyday wear a long time ago, but the colors, fabrics and fullness would depend on the “status” of your life. Brighter colors, nicer fabrics and designs would be used based on your status.While Chamin has been attending school, she has been appreciative of the opportunity to hone in on her skills.“It’s kind of difficult to be a real me in front of other foreigners; it helps me preserve it,” said Chamin. In Pennsylvania, the Korean population is very small. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, there were approximately 41,000 Koreans living in the state out of over 12 million residents.The three students hope their music will instill a sense of pride in the AANHPI community and become curious for the Korean culture.
It’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and today we’re highlighting the amazing works of AANHPI people in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania.
See the story in the video above
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Korean music has come a long way, but traditional music is an art form that is truly special.
“I play two string instruments and one drum. The two string instruments are called gayageum, one is 25-string and one is 12-string,” said Lily Chun.
Lily, 9, is playing an instrument that Koreans have played since the sixth century Silla period, approximately 1,500 years ago.
The larger 25-string instrument was developed in the 1980s with more strings and a wider range of ways to play music.
Lily has always had an interest in learning about traditional Korean music.
“I read this book about the Korean instruments. I was curious what they were, but now I learned that not many people in the world even play this, so I wanted to teach other people my culture, and I know a long time ago in Korea, a lot of people played it,” said Lily.
With guidance and support from her mom, Jenny, Lily says her passion for music has grown, even inspiring her younger brother, Skyler.
“I play the daegu. Dae means ‘kudah,’ which means ‘big’ in Korean; the drum is big,” said Skyler.
The daegu is a percussion instrument used in celebrations today, but thousands of years ago, it was used for royal court parties and folk music.
It’s riveting to hear the music, and there’s a lot of skill that goes into playing these instruments.
Skyler and Lily are students of Selahart Institute.
A school in Lancaster, Selahart offers lessons on traditional Korean dance, music and art for domestic students and international students.
Chamin Kang is an international student from Seoul, South Korea.
She met Lily and Skyler in class and has found a home away from home. Chamin plays several instruments, all classical traditional Korean instruments.
Her passion is to keep traditional Korean music alive and to find confidence within her Korean culture.
“When people see something I want them to notice, oh that’s Korean culture since, since East Asian culture is kind of similar, so when I’m wearing a hanbok they say, ‘Oh, they’re Chinese or something like that.’ I want them to notice, ‘Oh, that’s Korean culture.’”
She says developing her skills in music has helped her feel more comfortable.
Even though she may miss home, she is grateful to be here.
“When I was here in Lancaster, there was not many Koreans even at school. Sometimes I felt lonely because, in senior year, I was the only Korean international student, too; they speak their own language. I was the only one to speak Korean,” said Chamin.
The hanbok she mentions is a Korean outfit that used to be worn daily. Now, it’s more of a statement or used at parties, weddings and special events.
Chamin said hanboks were worn as everyday wear a long time ago, but the colors, fabrics and fullness would depend on the “status” of your life.
Brighter colors, nicer fabrics and designs would be used based on your status.
While Chamin has been attending school, she has been appreciative of the opportunity to hone in on her skills.
“It’s kind of difficult to be a real me in front of other foreigners; it helps me preserve it,” said Chamin.
In Pennsylvania, the Korean population is very small. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, there were approximately 41,000 Koreans living in the state out of over 12 million residents.
The three students hope their music will instill a sense of pride in the AANHPI community and become curious for the Korean culture.
