A Delta State University student was recently awarded during the Music Teachers National Association\u2019s (MTNA\u2019s) 2020 state competitions.<\/p>\n
MTNA student performance competitions are the most successful and prestigious in the country with thousands of students competing for top prizes and national recognition each year.<\/p>\n
DSU junior Yeim Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, won Alternate in the Young Artist Piano Division of MTNA state competitions.<\/p>\n
A student of Associate Professor Music Dr. Jung-Won Shin, Kim is currently pursuing both a bachelor of music degree in piano performance and a bachelor of music education at DSU.<\/p>\n
Kim said she was excited to receive the honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful that I could experience it before I graduate DSU,\u201d said Kim. \u201cI was stressed out while preparing for the competition. Now, I feel my efforts have paid off by receiving great result that I did not expect.\u201d<\/p>\n
While this year\u2019s competition was hosted virtually due to the pandemic, Kim said it afforded her the opportunity to reflect on her progress since attending DSU.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realized that I have been improved since I began studying at DSU,\u201d she said. \u201cOf course, there are things that I still need to learn, but compared to the first recording that I played at DSU, I have learned and improved more than I thought. My practice has never betrayed me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kim said she would not have achieved such a notable accomplishment without her support system.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say thank you to God, my parents, and Dr. Shin for everything they have done to help encourage me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially Dr. Shin\u2014I would not even think of attending the competition without her support. I appreciate to her for being a great teacher and helping me with everything with the sweetest smile,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The purpose of the MTNA performance competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.<\/p>\n