Kate Hwang
cello
Hometown: Adelaide, Australia; born in South Korea
Alma maters: Elder Conservatorium, The University of Adelaide, B.M., 2020; Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, M.M., 2024
Photo credit
Appearances
Australian Youth Orchestra, 2024; Australian Youth Orchestra Summer Camp, 2017–19
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
I actually started with the piano, then my older sister picked up the cello. I was soon fascinated by the sound and mechanics of the instrument—mostly the vibrato.
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
My boyfriend, who is very supportive of my career, encouraged me to apply for this program. I found the application through the Musical Chairs website, which led me to explore TŌN’s website in more detail. The structure of the program seemed excellent—both well-organized and deeply inspiring—and I felt it would be the perfect place for me to grow as a musician.
How would you like to see orchestra concerts evolve in the future?
With the declining interest in classical music, I would like to see it becoming more accessible and approachable to the broader audience. This includes musicians engaging in relatable content creation, streaming, storytelling, and interacting more with the audience.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
My proudest achievement as a musician is that I never gave up.
Tell us about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
During the pandemic I really felt stuck and was also dealing with injuries. I took some steps back from performance and explored different job opportunities as a musician. I believe taking a few steps back has helped me figure out what I want to do with my life and understand my goals in deeper levels.
Can you share any memorable onstage mishaps?
In one of my orchestral concerts, I accidentally threw my bow. Luckily, I was sitting inside, so my bow didn’t hit the audience!
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I love animals, so I would have gone into zoology or animal research.
What is a surprising part of playing your instrument that you think most people don’t know?
You don’t need to be tall to play the cello.
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
I feel like the biggest challenge and also the biggest blessing of playing in an orchestra is the vastness of the repertoire. Beyond just symphonies, there are tone poems, overtures, suites, ballet, operas, and many more. It really requires each musician to understand the different roles that music can take on, depending on the piece and context.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
I would advise my younger self or anyone starting out to not be afraid to ask for help.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
I wish I knew how fun it is to play in an orchestra sooner.