Park Junhyeong and Yeo Myeong-hyo, School of Music, Win the Grand Prize and Gold Prize in the 1^st Heart Heart Music Concours

At the Heart Heart Music Concours, the first music competition within the country for artists with developmental disabilities, violinist Park Junheyong (22 years old) won the grand prize, and cellist Yeo Myeong-hyo (27 years old) the gold prize. In this competition, for domestic musicians with developmental disabilities only, 150 performers from across the country entered to compete in 5 categories – voice, piano, string, wind, and percussion – and 73 survivors of the preliminary round advanced to the final round.

Park Junhyeong, a current student with autism who studies in the Department of Instrumental Music, started playing the violin to be of help to his brain growth when he was in 4^th grade in elementary school. Due to stage fright, he preferred to play with an orchestra than solo. His win in this competition was accomplished by overcoming his fear. Park said he wished to join an orchestra where he could perform with non-disabled performers. He added he knew how difficult it would be because of social prejudice, yet he could put up with it as he loved music.

Cellist Yeo Myeong-hyo, a graduate, has a developmental disability and autism. He started playing the cello to alleviate the symptoms of his disabilities. Ever since, Yeo grew up as an excellent performer, defeating his severe disabilities. Now he dreams of playing as a soloist.