INTRODUCTION
Where does the strength to keep doing what we love come from? For some, it may begin with an ambitious goal. For others, it may start with a single sound that captures the heart—or with a few encouraging words: “Why don’t you keep going?”
For Leeahn Layla Kim, a Year 8 student at Dulwich College Seoul, her journey with the clarinet began in just such a way. She did not initially choose the instrument with the dream of becoming a professional musician. While exploring different instruments at school, she was drawn to the clarinet’s warm and distinctive tone. What began as a small curiosity in a school music class gradually led her to orchestras, recitals, competitions, and international music festivals.
Leeahn received a Bronze Medal at the 2024 GlobArts Music Concours and went on to win Third Prize in the Middle School Woodwind Division for Clarinet at the 2026 Korea Art Newspaper Summer Music Competition. She also participated in the Worldwise Music Festival in Shanghai, China, for two consecutive years, performing alongside students from across Asia. She is now preparing for another international performance in Fukuoka, Japan.
For Leeahn, however, music is about far more than awards or the size of the stage. Through practicing difficult passages over and over again, she has learned perseverance. Through playing in an orchestra, she has learned that listening to others is just as important as making her own voice heard. Although she does not currently plan to pursue music professionally, the concentration, patience, and ability to listen that she has developed through the clarinet are becoming an important part of her growth as a student who dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian.
As part of its “Next-Generation Leaders in the Arts” interview series, Korea Arts Newspaper spoke with Leeahn Layla Kim about discovering the clarinet, growing through music, taking on new stages, and finding her own path one note at a time. [Editor’s Note]
■ 김리안 (Leeahn Layla Kim)
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Born on September 10, 2013, Leeahn Layla Kim is currently a Year 8 (Grade 7) student at Dulwich College Seoul. She began playing the clarinet at Dulwich in Year 5 and currently studies under Seok-hwan Moon, Director of Moon Clarinet. She has gained extensive performance experience through the Dulwich College Seoul orchestra, school recitals and assemblies, as well as Moon Clarinet concerts and recitals. In both 2024 and 2025, she participated in the Worldwise Music Festival in Shanghai, China, where she joined students from across Asia for collaborative rehearsals and the festival’s Finale Concert. She received a Bronze Medal at the 2024 GlobArts Music Concours and won Third Prize in the Middle School Woodwind Division for Clarinet at the 2026 Korea Arts Newspaper Summer Music Competition. Following her competition achievement, she is scheduled to perform in Fukuoka, Japan, on February 1. She is also set to perform at the Prelude Concert on October 24. Beyond the clarinet and piano, Leeahn enjoys the music and performances of K-pop groups TWS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), spending time with her dog Seolgi, making keychains, and baking. She has also volunteered regularly at an abandoned-dog shelter since Grade 4. Inspired by her love for animals, she dreams of becoming a veterinarian in the future. |
1. First, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Please tell us about your school and grade, the activities and interests you enjoy, and how you would describe yourself in just a few words.
Hello! I’m Leeahn Kim, and I’m in Year 8 at Dulwich College Seoul. My English name is Layla. I play the clarinet and piano, and my five-year-old dog, Baek Seolgi, is like my little sibling.
If I had to describe myself in a few words, I would say I’m “a teenager who is curious about lots of things and laughs a lot.” I get a little nervous when I start something new, but once I find it fun, I want to get better at it, so I keep challenging myself.
For fun, I love going to concerts by my favorite groups, TWS and TXT, and I also enjoy baking. I especially like making cookies, and my friends say they taste good, so sometimes I bake them as gifts and share them with my friends.
2. You won Third Prize in the clarinet category at the Korea Arts Newspaper Music Competition on September 5. How did you feel when you heard the news?
You must have thought back on all the time you spent preparing. What was the first thing that came to mind, and was there a particularly memorable moment?
I was really happy, surprised, and proud. I didn’t have a very long time to prepare for the competition, so I was worried, but the result was even better than I expected. It made me think about all the time I had spent practicing.
I remembered the parts that didn’t go the way I wanted and how I had to repeat them again and again. I also thought, “I’m glad I kept going and made it onto the stage.”
I had already received an award at the 2024 GlobArts Music Concours, but entering a new competition is still nerve-racking for me. This award gave me the courage to challenge myself again. I still have a lot to learn, but I want to keep playing and improving.
3. Was there a special reason you chose the clarinet among so many instruments?
Please tell us how you first encountered the clarinet and what it felt like when you began playing it.
When I first transferred from a Korean school to Dulwich in Year 4, the school gave students opportunities to borrow and learn different instruments, including the violin, flute, and clarinet. At first, I tried the violin. Then I heard the sound of the clarinet and was really attracted to its tone, so I applied to borrow one from the school.
That was how I first began learning the clarinet in my school music class. Later, I also joined the orchestra through an after-school ECA.
The reason I eventually got my own clarinet was because of encouragement from my orchestra teacher, Mr. Knights. He told me that my clarinet tone was special and beautiful and suggested that I continue playing. His words gave me a lot of confidence.
After that, I bought my first clarinet. I remember feeling excited, happy, and nervous all at the same time. I thought, “Wow, I finally have my own instrument!” That day is still a very happy memory for me.
4. What do you think is the greatest appeal of the clarinet?
Is there something about its tone or expressive range that you particularly love?
I love that the clarinet can sound warm and gentle, but it can also sound bright and playful. Even though it is the same instrument, its character can change completely depending on the piece and how you play it.
High and fast notes are still difficult for me, but when I practice hard and finally produce the sound I had imagined, it feels amazing.
Something funny is that our dog, Seolgi, reacts especially strongly to the clarinet. When my mom plays the flute or when I play the piano, Seolgi stays quiet. But whenever I practice the clarinet, Seolgi starts making sounds as if singing along with me—“Woo-woo! Woo-woo!”
It always makes me laugh, and sometimes I wonder, “Was Seolgi a clarinet player in a past life?” I’d really like to ask Seolgi whether the singing means the clarinet sounds good!
5. You performed Dvořák’s Humoresque at the competition. Why did you choose this piece?
What was your first impression of the piece, and what new qualities did you discover while practicing it?
When I first heard it, I liked its familiar melody and slightly playful character. I thought it suited my personality, and I wanted to express that feeling through the clarinet.
As I practiced, though, I realized that the piece wasn’t only bright and lighthearted. There were also passages that I wanted to make softer and calmer. I found it fascinating that one piece could have so many different expressions.
At first, I focused mainly on learning the notes. Later, I started thinking more about how to connect each phrase so that the music would flow more naturally.
6. What emotions or stories did you most want to communicate to the audience through Humoresque?
Beyond simply playing the notes correctly, was there a particular way you wanted to express the piece?
I wanted the audience to feel comfortable while listening and maybe smile a little.
It was almost like telling a fun story to a friend. I wanted the brighter parts to feel lively and the softer parts to feel warmer and more affectionate.
Of course, my biggest concern was still not making mistakes! But I also really wanted to communicate the mood of the piece. I hoped the audience could feel that I was enjoying the music while I was playing it.
7. What was the most difficult part of preparing for the competition?
How did you overcome passages or moments that were difficult, and in what ways do you think you grew through the preparation process?
Sometimes I could play a difficult section well when practicing it separately, but when I tried to play the entire piece from beginning to end, it wouldn’t go the way I wanted.
If I became too worried about one section, I would sometimes rush through the next part as well. When that happened, I tried breaking the difficult section into smaller parts and practicing them slowly.
I also thought about what Director Moon Seok-hwan had taught me and tried again. Whenever I became a little more comfortable with a difficult passage, it gave me energy to keep going.
Through this experience, I think I learned to be more patient—to figure out what exactly is difficult and try again instead of becoming disappointed right away.
8. How did you feel when you actually stepped onto the competition stage?
How did you manage your nerves before performing, and what were you thinking once you began playing?
I became even more nervous when I found out that I was the first person to perform. Then I was told that my mom and dad couldn’t come into the room and that only the judges would be there, which made me even more nervous.
I worried about whether my first note would come out properly and whether I would be able to play as well as I had practiced. So I took slow breaths and imagined the opening melody in my head.
Once I started playing, I gradually became more focused on the familiar melody. Instead of worrying in advance about the difficult parts that were coming later, I tried to concentrate on playing the part I was in at that moment as well as I could.
When I finished, I felt relieved—and also proud that, even though I had been nervous, I had managed to stand there on my own and finish the performance.
9. You balance your studies at Dulwich College Seoul with a variety of musical activities. What does music mean to you in your school life?
How have experiences such as orchestra, ensemble playing, and school performances influenced your development as a clarinetist?
Music helped me adjust to a new school and gave me a lot of confidence. When I first transferred from a Korean elementary school to Dulwich, both the learning environment and the way classes were taught felt unfamiliar. Music became something that helped me discover a new kind of enjoyment at Dulwich and build confidence.
It started with being able to borrow an instrument at school. Then, through private lessons, orchestra, recitals, and assembly performances, I came to enjoy the clarinet more and more. Having many opportunities to perform what I had learned on an actual stage has helped me a lot.
In an orchestra, I have to listen not only to my own sound but also to everyone else’s. I have to work together with instruments such as the violin and flute and think about when I should play louder or softer. When all the different instruments come together to create one piece of music, it feels very different from practicing alone—and it’s really exciting.
In 2024 and 2025, I also participated in the Worldwise Music Festival in Shanghai for two consecutive years. I rehearsed for several days with students from different parts of Asia, and at the end we all performed together in the Finale Concert.
Creating one piece of music with friends from different places taught me how important it is to listen carefully to other people and work together.
10. As a student who is not currently pursuing music as a major, balancing schoolwork and clarinet practice cannot always be easy. How do you manage your time?
What helps you continue practicing even when school becomes busy?
Besides schoolwork, I also do activities like basketball and volleyball, so it’s difficult to practice for a long time every day.
Instead, I try to plan ahead and decide what I want to work on that day. Setting small goals—like making a few difficult measures sound more natural—makes it easier to start practicing.
To be honest, there are days when I don’t feel like practicing and would rather play with my friends or rest instead of going to a lesson. But when I finally manage to play something that I couldn’t play before, I feel proud, and that makes me want to practice a little more.
When I have a performance date coming up, I also become more motivated because I want the audience to hear the best performance I can give.
11. Who has given you the greatest support in continuing your musical journey?
Are there any words of encouragement or special moments with your teachers, friends, or family that you particularly remember?
I’m very grateful to Mr. Knights at school and Director Moon Seok-hwan of Moon Clarinet.
When Mr. Knights told me that my clarinet tone was special and beautiful and encouraged me to keep playing, it gave me a lot of confidence. His encouragement was also one of the reasons I wanted to have my own instrument and study more seriously. Through orchestra and different performances at school, I also discovered how much I enjoy performing.
Director Moon has helped me study the clarinet in greater depth and improve my playing through very careful teaching and guidance. He has also given me opportunities to perform in concerts and recitals, which has allowed me to express on stage what I have learned in lessons.
As I gained more experience performing pieces I had practiced in front of audiences, I think my love for the clarinet grew even stronger. Because both teachers listened to my playing and encouraged me, I gained the courage to take on new stages and challenges.
12. How do your parents support your musical activities?
Was there a moment during lessons, practice, or competition preparation when their encouragement particularly helped you? What did they say when you received this award?
My parents always support and encourage me so that I can continue learning the clarinet and challenge myself on different stages.
I still remember how excited and happy I was when we went to buy my first clarinet. My mom has played the flute since she was young, so I think music has always felt very natural in our home.
My parents often tell me that, in the end, the person who truly enjoys what they are doing is the winner. Because of that, I try to think about enjoying the music rather than putting too much pressure on myself to be perfect.
When I received this award, they were proud not only of the result but also of the fact that I had worked hard, prepared, and taken on the challenge. That made me feel even prouder.
13. What does this competition award mean to you?
Beyond the result of “Third Prize,” what confidence or lessons did you gain from this experience, and what would you like to improve next?
I think I’ll remember it as a time when I challenged myself with an instrument I started simply because I liked it—and ended up achieving a good result.
Of course, I was happy to receive the award, but I was also proud that I could stand on an unfamiliar stage and perform what I had practiced all the way to the end.
The award has also led to new performance opportunities, which makes me really excited.
I want to practice so that my sound stays steady even in difficult passages, and I also want to express the mood of each piece more naturally. I still have a lot to learn, but this experience made me feel that if I keep going, I can improve little by little.
14. What musical dreams or goals would you most like to achieve in the future?
Are there pieces, stages, orchestras, or musicians you would especially like to perform with? How would you like music and the clarinet to remain part of your life?
My closest goal is to prepare well for the performances coming up.
I will perform at the Prelude Concert on October 24, and on February 1 next year, I will perform at FCH in Fukuoka, Japan. I’m really, really happy and grateful to have these opportunities!
The thought of performing abroad with wonderful musicians makes me excited, but also a little nervous. I want to prepare step by step using everything I have learned at Dulwich and Moon Clarinet.
Of course, I want to prepare my own part well, but I’m also looking forward to listening to the sound of the whole orchestra and experiencing how everyone breathes and plays together.
In the future, I want to keep challenging myself with different pieces and stages, and most of all, I hope I can continue enjoying the clarinet for a very long time.
15. Looking further into the future, what kind of person would you like to become?
If you have a dream career, please tell us about it. Even if you do not major in music, how do you hope the experiences and values you have gained through the clarinet will influence your future?
I’ve loved animals since I was very young, and I still volunteer regularly at an abandoned-dog shelter. That’s why my dream is to become a veterinarian.
Animals can’t tell us exactly where they are hurting, so I want to become someone who can carefully understand what is wrong and help both animals and their owners feel safe and reassured.
Playing the clarinet has taught me to listen carefully to small differences in sound and to keep practicing instead of giving up when something is difficult. I think that kind of concentration and perseverance will also help me when I study to become a veterinarian.
And even after I become a veterinarian, I want to keep playing the clarinet for the rest of my life. After a busy day, I think playing a piece I love would make me happy—and I hope the animals around me would enjoy it too.
EPILOGUE
Listening to Leeahn’s story suggests that being a “next-generation leader in the arts” does not necessarily mean choosing the path of a professional musician from childhood. Discovering something you love, refusing to give up when it becomes difficult, learning to listen to others, and gradually finding your own voice can also be meaningful forms of growth through the arts.
What began with a borrowed clarinet at school has now taken Leeahn through school orchestras and recitals, music competitions, international festivals, and performances abroad. Along the way, she has gained far more than certificates and awards. She has learned the patience to repeat a difficult passage until it improves, the courage to step onto a stage despite feeling nervous, and the importance of listening and breathing together with fellow musicians.
Leeahn dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Having volunteered regularly at an abandoned-dog shelter since Grade 4, she hopes one day to care for animals that cannot explain where they hurt. Perhaps the sensitivity she has developed through the clarinet—the ability to notice subtle differences in sound and listen carefully to others—will extend beyond music and become part of the person she grows up to be.
And wherever her future takes her, the clarinet is likely to remain by her side. Even if she does not become a professional musician, Leeahn hopes to keep music as a lifelong companion. Perhaps one day, after finishing a busy day as a veterinarian, she will pick up her clarinet and play a favorite piece—and find a few more animal friends singing “woo-woo” along with the melody, just as Baek Seolgi does today. [Editor’s Note]
[Korea Art Newspaper]
