Artist Spotlight: Isaiah Shim
For the last few seasons, pianist Isaiah Shim has wowed Concert Series audiences with his artistic technique, prowess, and improvisational skills. Learn who and what has inspired Isaiah’s artistry and why improvisation is one of his biggest passions.
When did you first start playing the piano?
Since I was five years old.
Was there an artist, person, or moment that inspired you to become a musician?
There are so many artists and musicians that inspired me to pursue music, especially those who transcended different genres—from classical to jazz or opera to musical theatre—or were pianists, conductors, and composers while being eccentric personalities in their own ways, like André Previn or Leonard Bernstein. And of course, all my mentors and teachers throughout my musical journey, who continue to provide me with a variety of opportunities and push me to reach further in my career.
There was one particular moment that reminded me of the reason I do music. During my undergraduate studies, I listened to the second movement of Barber’s Violin Concerto. Unexplainable in words, but it basically told me ‘this is why I do music’ and how music is a necessity for everyone’s soul.
Career highlights as a pianist?
I wouldn’t exactly call myself a solo pianist but collaborative pianist. That said, most of my piano career involves working with other musicians.
A big part of the Dueling Keyboards concert is musical improvisation. What’s your experience with improv and is it something you enjoy doing?
I remember one of the first songs I based my ‘improvisation’ on was Stephen Schwartz’s “Deliver Us” from The Prince of Egypt (1998 film). Ever since that experience, improvisation (not necessarily jazz improvisation) has been one of my biggest passions; I enjoy improvising more than practicing and performing already-composed music most of the time (no offense to all the great music written out which I absolutely love, obviously). I usually include improvisation in solo recitals, whether it be about a certain theme, art work, or simply out of nothing.
Learn more about our upcoming Dueling Keyboards concert on October 25, 2024.