Creative Spotlight | DJ Ha
Published on 14 December 2020
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I play the piano with my left hand (I had a stroke during my youth). I use my thumb to play the tunes, pinky to play bassline, and three fingers play chords. I enjoy ethnic folk music, I arrange conventional repertoire into left hand.
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch? Please provide links to website or social media
I upload my performances on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@djha4287)
For chatting, I’m on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/djkayocookie/
Check out my Spotify and Apple Music.
Can you share your experience living with a disability and how music has impacted or transformed your life?
Single-handed pianists have limited jobs than normal pianists. I miss ensemble playing and accompanying instrumentalists/singers. Teaching is limited. I can demonstrate left and right hands separately (I act/pretend using ‘right’ hand with correct fingerings) but can’t demonstrate both hands simultaneously. Despite all limitations, I marvel at how composers at the time of war wrote for injured pianists with nice tunes and bassline and chords.
What did you learn from participating in the Ryde Shine Ability Competition? Did it have a meaningful impact on your life? If so, how?
A parent of my student suggested I should enter Ryde competition. Around the same time I was told I should play on pop-up piano in public. I rejected these offers, saying I wasn’t ready. After I reluctantly accepted interviews, something unexpected happened - random individuals approached me on the street and congratulated me.
What are your top three pieces of advice for this year’s candidates?
Love yourself, warts and all. Forgive yourself your regrets. Then pat yourself on the back for continuing learning.
Whereabouts do you look for creative ideas? Who or what inspires you?
Just as I obsess with fusion food, I love merging/marrying Azerbaijani and Armenian cultures. That’s probably why I, as a Korean, married a Japanese wife. (Believe me, we are so different!) Cognitive dissonance and unlikely umami’s!
qzWhat creative project are you working on at the moment?
I am learning Ravel’s LH Concerto, who wrote for a single fist against the entire army of orchestra. I will be performing this with Mosman Symphony next year.
Do you have any top tips for emerging artists and creatives just starting out?
Don’t become a pianist! Choose a rarer instrument. Or study something useful other than music. If you are still determined to become a pianist, you should love and marvel at your own sound.
We always love recommendations! Who are some other local artists we should check out?
I’ve had many different students, but lately very interesting people have been contacting me. One is my first ever stroke survivor student! I was so overjoyed I said to her, together we will be invincible student-teacher pianists.