Tell us your name, age, and hometown.

My Korean name is Jin Bok-il, and my American name is Esther Jin. My original hometown is Seoul.

Could you tell us a bit about your childhood?

When I was a child, my mother studied vocal music at Seoul National University's College of Music. Our family was Christian, and my mother grew up in a musical family, naturally exposing us to a lot of music from a young age. Since my older sister played the piano, we enjoyed good classical music. I attended Jong An Elementary School in Anam-dong.

Is there anything from your childhood that stands out to you?

As a child, I attended elementary school and went to church regularly. I was a diligent student who listened attentively to my parents and teachers. I made a conscious effort to stay on that path. Going to church and listening to uplifting music significantly impacted me.

I had a friend who had polio. One time, this friend had a difficult moment in the bathroom and fell. Witnessing this, I felt a deep pain in my heart, even though I was weak myself. I remember helping them out of the bathroom. This experience made me more empathetic toward friends who were ostracized. There was another instance in elementary school when a friend next to me suddenly had a seizure and collapsed. Others typically avoided this friend, but I, on the contrary, felt a strong urge to help.

I often wondered how I could help friends who were a bit different. I frequently visited friends who didn't come to school and spent a lot of time looking out for them. I believe God gave me a special kind of love and connection. As I moved on to middle and high school, I studied classical music and discovered both its beauty and the wonderful lyrics it contained. Music, particularly classical music, is a universal language that can create peace wherever I go, even when we don't share a common spoken language.

When I was in high school, my family immigrated to North Carolina. I started attending school there at the end of my sophomore year. It was both challenging and a tremendous blessing because it gave me a year to adjust to the American high school system before entering college. Although I struggled with the language, my background in vocal music motivated me to persevere through song.

In high school, I took the bus to Durham High School and was the only Asian student. I faced challenges, such as students pulling my hair on the bus, which terrified me. During these hardships, I prayed and resolved to study music diligently, aiming to make a positive impact on others and represent Korean pride with excellence.

With the help of a choir conductor named Mrs. McIver at Durham High School, who recognized my talent, I received private lessons from her and another professor at UNC Chapel Hill, Professor Kalo. Despite many challenges, I was grateful for the support I received and studied classical music intensely, aiming to become a voice that influences and inspires people worldwide. I faced these challenges head-on and pressed forward.

I entered my first voice competition and won first place, bringing attention to Durham High School. As the lone Asian girl attending high school, I made a strong impression on my American peers. I was so happy, and even the high school president was thrilled. He said his friend was diligent in her studies and singing and should be greatly supported in her college endeavors.

Many teachers, including my art and social studies teachers, were incredibly supportive. To enter college, you need recommendations, which I didn’t know then. But they all kindly wrote recommendations for me. As a result, I was accepted into the School of the Arts and also won a scholarship.

In March 1984, I won first place in the vocal competition, which included finalists in instruments such as violin, cello, and piano. I received a one-year full scholarship and was deeply grateful to Professor Kalo. With this scholarship, I continued my studies and later graduated with a four-year full scholarship from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. While studying classical music there, I focused entirely on my studies, practicing and rehearsing, leaving no time for leisure activities.

To graduate, I had to put in two or three times the effort of others because my language skills were weak. The only way to excel was to demonstrate superior talent and vocal ability. I had to take English, Italian, French, and German diction during my sophomore year.

Learning all these languages at once was overwhelming. During English diction classes, the teacher often said, "Good job," to encourage me since I wasn’t a native speaker. However, some classmates would giggle, which was embarrassing and hard to forget. Despite my efforts in the first or second class, I couldn’t help feeling different. I remember running out of class, humiliated. I ran up a hill on campus, crying as I listened to the sound of airplanes overhead in Winston-Salem. Dr. Moses, an English professor, found me and encouraged me. That moment solidified my determination to work even harder. Despite my language difficulties, the teacher gave me an A — not just because I earned it but also because of my hard work and perseverance. The school, now one of the most famous on the East Coast, offers high school, undergraduate, and master's programs.

My classmates received warnings for their behavior, but those experiences motivated me to graduate despite the language challenges I faced. I graduated and moved to New York, where I studied under Betty Allen at the Manhattan School of Music for seven years. Betty Allen, my godmother and mentor, taught me a great deal about vocal technique until she passed away. I am always deeply grateful to Mrs. Betty Allen and will always love her.

I still have things she wrote for me, and I’ll show them to you later. She was a professor in Manhattan and performed regularly at the Metropolitan Opera. As a singer, she shared the stage with Pavarotti and Jessye Norman, the famous soprano. Jessye Norman recognized my hard work and invited me to perform in her masterclass concert. I sang "O mio babbino caro" and received praise from the legendary opera singer. These are moments I will never forget.

I studied vocal music at the Manhattan School of Music while getting married and raising my children, which was incredibly overwhelming. My parents moved from Roanoke to L.A., where there was a larger Korean community, and they’ve been living in Koreatown for over 35 years. I also came to L.A. with my children, relying on my parents for support. Raising three sons in L.A., I came to realize the importance of high school and college education. I empathize with those who, like me, arrive in the middle of their lives and face language barriers.

I helped many students in La Cañada with language challenges, ensuring they didn’t give up. Many kind Americans will help if you reach out and do your best. My first goal was to ensure my children thrived in middle and high school. I worked in La Cañada for 10 years, assisting students with the difficult college application process. With the help of American friends and teachers, I guided students to the CalArts in Valencia and other schools.

Nowadays, it’s easier to send audition tapes via YouTube, but back then, we had to send CDs. If anyone faced difficulties or uncertainties, especially with language, I was there to help. I understood those challenges well from personal experience. As I got older, I strongly desired to give back to the community, so I asked God, "What should I do?" I decided to share the beauty of music with others, especially those who hadn’t had the chance to study it formally. First-generation immigrants have worked hard to make Koreatown beautiful, and now, as they age, they need new hobbies to enrich their lives.

Unlike the cello or piano, the voice is an instrument we always carry with us. We can enjoy singing by taking care of our bodies and avoiding harmful habits. Singing is like exercise; it engages the lungs and improves respiratory health. I opened this studio to share both music and its health benefits with the community. Initially, it was challenging, and I had to borrow church spaces for practice. Over the course of 10 years, I faced difficulties but remained persistent due to my classical music training. Eventually, I decided to find a permanent location and opened this studio at 182 South Western [Avenue] in Koreatown, where many Koreans live. Now, we can share the joy of music in a dedicated space designed for this purpose.

Adults often come by bus, and I didn’t realize how many people rely on it. I’m really touched that they chose the bus instead of driving. At first, I was a bit worried and felt sorry for them, but they actually found it more convenient. They don’t have to worry about driving or asking for rides. The buses are very accessible, and the location is great. In fact, I think the location is perfect.

Since starting your business, what is the biggest change or difference between Western Avenue and Koreatown?

Twenty years ago, I spent most of my time in La Cañada. Koreatown has changed a lot since then. Olympic Boulevard is still very Korean, right? We see many people walking around, and it feels very comfortable. The area has become more convenient and relaxed. Western Avenue is busy with many cars, which was a concern at first, but it’s manageable now.

Western Avenue is well-connected, and you can easily reach places like Los Feliz. The central areas around Western Avenue, 8th, and 9th Streets are thriving, with [Koreatown] Plaza Market nearby and Galleria Market at Olympic and Western. New markets, like Emart, also exist on Western and 2nd Street. The markets are flourishing, and more Koreans and new immigrants are moving in. This growth makes me believe that the changes won’t stop and that we can connect with people from other cultures through music.

Many people from different countries, including Chinese, Filipinos, and Mongolians, come to learn vocal music. I currently have a few students, one of whom is a Chinese student who became quite popular for singing the song, “The Moon Represents my Heart”. Recently, I suggested to this Chinese friend that they try singing a traditional Korean song, "Song of the Oarsman," and now they are eagerly learning Korean music. Although it may seem like a small effort, teaching Korean songs to people from other countries is a meaningful way to share our culture through music at the community level.

I’m always planning and praying about how to promote Korean songs further and spread our culture. Whenever we have concerts, we perform about 10 Korean songs and 10 opera arias. My sense of patriotism has grown, and I want to continue sharing Korean music and language through our work on Western Avenue.

Regarding your business on Western Avenue, what are the positive aspects, and what do you want to preserve?

I didn’t have many fears initially because Koreatown felt comfortable and familiar. However, after the challenges brought on by the pandemic, including shutdowns and reopening under strict conditions, I became concerned about how things would unfold. I’ve been in L.A. for a long time and have witnessed the changes. Koreatown might not look as beautiful as it once did, and I wanted to make sure that I stayed involved. I see it as my responsibility to continue offering vocal training and maintaining my commitment to this community.

Classical music is challenging but also deeply fulfilling. It’s not about making money; it’s about the responsibility I feel. I’m dedicated to teaching and sharing beautiful music with the community. I take great pride in being Korean and working in this area. My goal is to continue teaching and helping our traditional music bloom here.

Finally, how would you like to convey your message to the local community?

Spreading the word about music is tough. People need to genuinely enjoy it, especially classical music. For it to continue, people need to develop a true passion for singing. Coming to Western Avenue was a great decision. Despite the challenges of this bustling part of Koreatown, it’s definitely worth it. That’s why I clearly labeled my vocal studio signage in Korean. Initially, it was in English, but many people didn’t understand it. Putting it in Korean makes it much easier for people to find and feel comfortable coming by.

Classical music requires a step-by-step approach. It’s not something you can master quickly; it’s about gradual learning. This learning process, including language acquisition, can be incredibly beneficial in life, promoting health and even helping to prevent dementia as we age.

I take my time to value each person who comes in, treating them with care and offering my best support. Through this personalized approach, people leave with positive impressions, often recommending others and bringing in more visitors over time. People frequently express how pleased they are when they see the sign and come in. I don’t rely on advertisements. Instead, we let our performances and the quality of our teaching speak for themselves.

Music can bring vitality to life and support a healthier lifestyle. It’s more valuable than simply watching TV at home, and I believe it’s incredibly important. While it might be challenging, singing, engaging our minds, and working with language and lyrics can improve mental agility. So, don’t be afraid — approach it with a relaxed mindset. Engaging with Korean songs and opera arias can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.