Amidst the clink of metal forks on empty plates and the chatter of students discussing recent tests and weekend plans, a sonorous melody rings through the WCC Student Center. Heads turn and curious smiles appear. Students drift towards the piano, drawn by the familiar tunes of JVKE’s Golden Hour and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Pas de Deux. At the piano, the source of the room’s newfound warmth, sits none other than Matthew K. ’28.
As the first interviewee of Tatler’s monthly artist spotlight series, Matthew is undoubtedly a passionate musician. A violinist and pianist of over eight years, a member of the Lakeside string orchestra, and a longtime member of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO), his musical experiences are both rich and varied. To learn more about his musical identity, Tatler asked Matthew about his experiences, opinions, and words of advice as a musician.
Q: What is your favorite memory related to classical music?
A: Probably attending my first live concerts. One of the few memories of being a toddler is watching Yo-Yo Ma and the Piano Guys, and being so absorbed with how much they loved what they were doing. I wanted to feel that same joy they radiated on that stage, and had actually wanted to play the cello first, but my parents decided to have me learn violin — mainly because the cello was about twice my height back then.
Q: What role does music play in your life?
A: Music’s an old friend, one I’ve known for as long as I can remember, and one I keep discovering new things about — it’s like rewatching a movie and noticing details you missed the first time. Music also has been a series of firsts for me: the first time I stepped on a stage, the first time I won a contest, and the first time I learned about patience. I’m the first in my family to learn an instrument, so it’s always felt like my own journey that I go out and explore, and so in that respect it’s frustrating but equally rewarding when I do get things right. I still get nervous every time I go on stage, but I’ve learned that performing when you’re scared is still performing, and that the more you perform, the better you’ll get at it. For that reason, music can get a bit annoying for me, since I like to nail things on the first try, but I love how limitless it is. There’s always more to learn, and that keeps it exciting.
Q: What is a moment, experience, or word of advice that most deeply impacted your musical experience?
A: Something my old violin teacher used to tell me was “You just have to stop thinking and do it.” Whether it’s to stop fixating on the audience when I perform or to stop overthinking my practice, it’s easy for me to get stuck in my head. Most of the time, however, the best improvement happens when you just let yourself relax and let your instrument speak for you. Forcing anything to happen in music just doesn’t work, especially mastering a piece — that takes an excruciatingly long time that I’m starting to enjoy.
Q: What do you hope to share with others through your music?
A: If someone can listen to what I play and feel even a fraction of what the composer meant to say, that’s all I could ask for. When I play, I’m always wondering who I am in the composer’s story and whether the music still connects with people the way it did when it was written. I don’t feel a need to impress anyone, I just want the music to speak for itself.
Q: Is there anything you wish more people knew about you as a musician/artist or about music itself?
A: I wish more people realized that being a musician isn’t about skill or awards. It’s not about where you sit in an ensemble or how technically advanced you are. It’s about whether the act of creating sound makes you feel something genuine. That feeling is what makes someone an artist.
Q: How would you recommend other people to involve more music in their lives? Why is this important?
A: Everyone should try learning an instrument or singing at least once. It’s an incredible thing to take something as simple as rhythm and pitch and use them to make someone else feel a range of emotions stretching from joy to sadness to hope. There’s nothing quite like it, and I think a lot of people would fall in love with it if they gave it a chance.
Q: Is there anything else you want to tell the Lakeside community about music?
A: As stated, if you haven’t played an instrument (voluntarily) before, I really encourage you to try. Music at Lakeside can be competitive — though less so than in other places I’ve seen — and that drive can push us to exceed our own expectations. Still, I wish more musicians realized that judging or excluding others over skill level doesn’t help anyone grow. Constructive criticism, on the other hand, is invaluable, and I think we should do more of it with each other. Being a musician isn’t about talent or the complexity of what you play. It’s more so about passion, and no one’s more or less of a musician because of how long they’ve played or what piece they’re performing.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice to other musicians who may just be starting their musical journeys?
A: Please stop seeing music as a race or a competition. Music is more like we’re all figuring out how to make sense of the same language, but in our own different ways. Some get there at different speeds, but everyone’s chasing the same goals — and at the end of the day, comparison doesn’t help anyone get there any quicker. Also, believe in yourself! Trust the process and once you achieve something, aim high for the next one. Learn from others as much as you can through recordings and by talking to other musicians, and most importantly, have fun with what you do.
Q: Do you see yourself pursuing your studies/a career in music? If so, in what way?
A: I’m not yet sure what form it will take, but music will absolutely remain a part of my life. I plan to keep conducting and performing on both of my instruments throughout college and beyond. Music is something I cannot imagine letting go of.
Q: What are your dream pieces of repertoire?
A: For violin, I’ve always wanted to play the entirety of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and for piano, Rachmaninoff’s concertos. Someday, I hope to conduct Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Mahler’s Eighth Symphony.
Q: What are your current favorite composers/pieces of repertoire that you’ve played?
A: My favorite composers are Tchaikovsky and Mahler. As for repertoire, I’ve especially loved playing Bach’s Second Partita, Mahler’s symphonies, and a piano arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Grand Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker.
