Q&A with Academy Pianist, Michelle Kim

As a six-year-old girl in South Korea, Michelle discovered a love of music when a little piano school opened next door to her house. This serendipitous turn of fate led her halfway around the world to Queensland Ballet Academy, where you’ll find the professional ballet pianist in class each day. Read about Michelle’s journey from Ulsan to the ballet studios of Brisbane, below.

Tell us about learning the piano in your hometown Ulsan, South Korea

I started learning to play the piano when I was six. In Korea, there are private piano schools, and a little one had just opened next to my house, so mum put me in there. It was really popular to learn classical music, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a pianist at that stage. Then, when it came time to go to high school, I did a test for the arts school which had music, arts and dance, and luckily, I got in. I studied classical music there for three years, and also at university.

Did you play professionally once you graduated?

Yes – I taught private lessons and I accompanied with classical vocal, choir and other instruments for their exams and concerts, but I also did a really interesting job playing the piano for Hyundai – the car company. They have a Heavy Industries sector where they make big container ships as well. I was working as a pianist in a Hyundai hotel in my hometown where I’d play the piano at the restaurant and also at the big ceremonies where they’d sell the container ships to buyers who would come from all over the world – Europe and Japan. It was a good experience and an interesting position.

You moved to Australia for love…how did you find a job at Queensland Ballet Academy?

I moved here in 2011 after I met an Aussie guy. My husband’s friend’s wife used to be a ballet dancer who had graduated from the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, which was then at the Thomas Dixon Centre. She knew I was looking for pianist jobs and mentioned ballet companies as an option. I contacted the school and had a short audition, which was really easy for me. Afterwards, I started working casually there. I knew nothing about ballet at the time!

Then sometimes, when they needed a pianist for the Pre-Professional Program (PPPs) or Company classes when someone was sick, I was asked to fill in. Later, in 2017 while I was on maternity leave, Christian (Tàtchev, Academy Director) contacted me to ask if I could do the Academy Program classes once a week. That became twice a week, and the rest is history.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I play classical music for the ballet classes, and also for character classes, repertoire pointe work, and technique class. We have the Upper School cohort in the mornings, and the Lower School dancers in the afternoons.

What’s something challenging about being a ballet pianist people may not realise?

Learning to improvise is something I didn’t expect – someone who has trained in classical piano music gets used to having sheet music. Whatever I play when improvising, I need to think about what rhythm is in the music, and what tempo the ballet teacher requires. It was a bit hard at the beginning, so I began searching for more music compositions/options to better prepare myself for these challenges!

Why is it beneficial for students to have live music in class?

Recordings can be good, but the tempo is already set, and sometimes the introduction is not clear or the length is not right for the exercise being taught. Having live music means the teacher doesn’t have to think about the exercises and pair them with the music beforehand. I think having live music is really important for developing dancers, especially if they want to be a professional dancer. They have to feel the music.

Tell us a little about the Academy environment.

The Academy faculty really cares for the students’ health. We have a physio team - when the students are injured they can see our physiotherapists during class hours. They still attend to watch their classes. They have Pilates sessions each week for their strength and there’s also a gym. They have such a good focus on wellbeing.

Favourite aspect of your job?

I actually love Saturday class. It has a more laidback environment where I don’t have to play academically. I can play pop or older pop music – things like Moon River…and that’s ok! I can’t use a piece like that for an exam, but Saturdays offer a bit more freedom. I really enjoy them!