Details Audiobook:
- author: Jeeyoon Kim
- full title: Whenever You're Ready
- narrator: Jeeyoon Kim
- genre: nonfiction; self-help
- topics: #music
- publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
- publish date: 24.08.2021
- timing: 05:07:00
Details book:
- publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
- publish date: 24.08.2021
- pages: 264
My Rating of the Audiobook:
- content: 💙💙💙💙.5
- narration: 💙💙💙💙💙
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| Goodreads |
Excerpt from the Book:
One minute before 7:30 p.m., I hear the chatting noises from the audience fading into the background.
A stage manager who looks to be about sixty-five smiles at me and says gently, “Whenever you’re ready.”
But am I ready? I feel the usual butterflies in my stomach, a familiar sensation in my body every time before a concert.
Without making any judgment of whether this is good or bad, I close my eyes and focus on the excitement and courage coming from somewhere deep within me. As the stage guy holds the door open, I look at him and nod.
Then, there it is: the beautiful stage with shining chandeliers and the cheerful clapping of the audience. The magic of music is about to begin.
My Thoughts:
You can read this book as a memoir or as a self-help book. But for me, it was more than just that.
I didn’t know the pianist Jeeyoon Kim before, so I watched some of her live performances on YouTube. She plays the piano very well, and I think we can learn a great deal from musicians like her. They go through enormous pressures and tests to achieve what she did. So she can now play so well in front of a demanding audience.
I listened to an audiobook and read the book at the same time. The book is like a concert list. It contains a prelude, five movements, and an encore. I loved intermissions about classical pieces that Jeeyoon loves. I wish the audiobook format would include the complete works played by her. In both versions, the author invites you to listen to these pieces on her Podcast.
Both formats are great. If you are interested in the self-help part of the book, an ebook or a physical copy is maybe a slightly better choice. You have those “Something to think about whenever you’re ready“ parts at the end of each chapter, and it can be a better experience to see that written.
If you read a lot of self-help books about how to create a habit, stay positive, be successful, etc, you may know some of these tactics. But the format and the unique way the author presents this content deserves a 4.5 star from me. It would have been a 5 star if the author included the entire pieces of intermissions.
The narration did the author herself, and I liked it. Her accent made it even better and authentic.
About the Author:
Award-winning classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim delights audiences with a sparkling combination of sensitive artistry, broad emotional range, impeccable technique, and innovative concert experiences. A native of South Korea, Jeeyoon has inspired a dedicated and passionate fan base from around the world. As a performer, she defies convention by expanding on the traditional classical concert experience. Her 2016 debut album, 10 More Minutes, features a conversation with the audience from onstage. For her next act, Jeeyoon collaborated with New York-based visual artist Moonsub Shin to create a multimedia masterpiece, Over. Above. Beyond.
Jeeyoon began studying the piano when she was just four years old, and her love of music and the piano propelled her through her undergraduate studies in piano performance in Korea. After moving to the U.S., she graduated with distinction with a Master's Degree and a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance, all on full scholarship from Indiana University's renowned Jacob School of Music.
In pursuit of an even deeper understanding of music and wishing to refine her ability to share it with others, she earned another Master's Degree in music education, Piano Pedagogy, with a full scholarship from Butler University, where she also simultaneously served as a faculty member. As a testament to Jeeyoon's abilities as an educator, she was recognized with the Top Music Teacher Award from Steinway and Sons for three years in a row, from 2016 to 2018.
Today, between performances at venues like Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society in San Francisco, and the Stradivari Society in Chicago, Jeeyoon remains focused on finding new ways to connect with audiences and bring a fresh perspective to the magic of classical piano music. In 2020, she launched a fast-growing podcast dedicated to helping people of all musical tastes and backgrounds discover the beauty of classical music. Journey through Classical Piano delivers fifteen-minute episodes that feature concert-like musical experiences and in-depth explorations of classical compositions, hosted by Jeeyoon.
Jeeyoon is an art activist, educator, podcaster, YouTuber, and award-winning performer who strives to connect with new audiences and help them discover the magic of classical music. During her COVID-19 quarantine, she is creating [si-úm], a project that blends classical piano with poetry and spoken word performances. She also walks daily, teaches, and performs via live streaming from her home.
