2013-09-22

Love in Music's 6th Annual Concert was a profound celebration of music and the transformative power of volunteerism, held at the Sarang Community Church in Anaheim, CA, nestled in the vibrant landscape of North Orange County.

The evening welcomed a distinguished guest, Dr. In Hong Cha, an esteemed Violinist and Music Professor at Wright State University. Dr. Cha graciously shared his remarkable journey with the audience, recounting a poignant tale of resilience and inspiration. He reminisced about his humble beginnings as a child confined to a wheelchair in a rehabilitation center in South Korea, where the gift of music was bestowed upon him by a compassionate volunteer, himself an accomplished violinist. Dr. Cha reflected, "I would have never become a musician if it were not for the motivation and inspiration from that volunteer."

Central to the concert's narrative was the presence of Minja Kwak, the dedicated volunteer who imparted the gift of music to Dr. Cha during his formative years. A violin major from a prestigious Korean university, Ms. Kwak's journey led her to a professional orchestra before she embraced her calling to teach young, handicapped children in a rehabilitation center near Taejon. It was within this nurturing environment that Dr. Cha's musical talent blossomed under her tutelage, propelling him towards a future as a violin major in the United States.

The heart of the evening was a touching reunion between Dr. Cha and Ms. Kwak, emblematic of the profound impact of volunteerism on individual lives. As they embraced, their shared history unfolded before the audience, illustrating the ripple effect of one person's kindness and dedication. The journey from student to professor, from recipient to benefactor, served as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of music and the enduring legacy of volunteerism.

In a world often beset by challenges, Love in Music stands as a beacon of hope, nurturing the next generation of musicians and fostering unity through the universal language of music. The 6th Annual Concert not only showcased exceptional talent but also underscored the profound impact of community-driven initiatives in shaping lives and building bridges across cultures. As Dr. Cha's story so eloquently illustrates, the seeds of kindness sown through volunteerism have the power to transcend barriers and sow the seeds of hope in the hearts of the underserved.
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(Video Link: 1st Part of the Concert)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fFGIas ... sp=sharing

(Video Link for the 2nd part of this concert)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qq4If9 ... sp=sharing
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Thomas Byun, President of Love in Music, is presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Mija Kwak who first taught the violin to Dr. Cha, then a 9-year old handicapped boy at a rehabilitation center in Taejon, Korea, who later became a violist/professor of Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, after years of continued music education because of the inspiration and hopes given by Mrs. Kwak. As resident of the City of Irvine in California, Mrs. Kwak was able to join us at our concert where one of her violin students in the old days performed at Love in Music's 6th Annual Concert.

Dr. In Hong Cha is being hugged by his first time violin teacher as a volunteer who served at a shabby rehabilitation center when Dr. Cha was 9 years old back in S. Korea.

Thank you, Dr. Cha, for being a great role model and blessing to all of us and the little children who are learning classical instruments from volunteers of Love in Music! Mrs. Minja Kwak, who first taught him how to play violin as a volunteer for the children in the rehabilitation center as a music major from a most prestigious university in Korea, attended this concert to see the little boy she once taught performing violin so beautifully as a guest violinist on the stage testifying that dreams can surely come true if one never gives up!