Judy Kang- violinist, composer, and producer extraordinaire was born and raised in Canada where she mastered the violin at a young age. Judy studied music and graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music as well as the prestigious Julliard School. Judy has toured all over the world as a soloist, in the most distinguished chambers and ensembles, with Lady Gaga, as well as with Academy award winning film composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Judy released her self-titled, self-written, self-produced, and self-recorded (what can't this woman do!) debut album in March 2013. The album reflects her well-rounded knowledge of and experience with classical and contemporary music and fuses these distinct musical styles into unique and captivating creations. Judy answered a few questions for WHERE MY GIRLS AT? about her influences, creative process, experience as a woman in the music industry, as well as advice for aspiring young female musicians. Take a listen to "Sunnyside" as well as "You" below and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud for updates. Thank you Judy- you're an inspiration!
What are some of your influences or role models?
"Visuals...like films, especially foreign artsy type, and just observing random things, different people, situations, personal experiences, emotions, sunsets, nature, and the concrete."
What does your creative process look like?
"It's very different and constantly changing. I don't structure things, so sometimes it happens impulsively or spontaneously. Other times, I have to schedule in a time to "focus". The process is blurry in that it begins from a place where inspiration is stirred (where ever and whenever that might be) and it never really ends. I look at my projects as a continuation from one process to another all inspired from each other."
Shanti Das has stated "It's difficult as a woman working in a business that sometimes degrades other women." What are your thoughts about this comment?
"In an industry where men have established their grounds for generations and more recently, the increasing number of women in the same industry today that are setting themselves apart as individuals in their own right, I have personally experienced a "boys club mentality" in settings when I was outnumbered, particularly, by male artists. Understandably, this behaviour can stem from early childhood and natural gender code. I believe as a woman, at times there is still a sense of having to prove one's self to earn respect. There can be a power struggle between genders which can lead to intimidation, provoking, or disregard. I agree women are at times "degraded" to feel inferior if the male is the authority figure thus taken advantage of. But, it can go both ways."
What messages do you hope to send to aspiring young girl musicians? What advice do you have for young girl musicians?
"Young people let alone, young musicians struggle with identity issues. I would say it this way: I would tell my younger self that I am young. At 18, I had compared myself unrealistically with celebrities, and "successful" 18 yr olds of that time and I felt unaccomplished and old. I tell young people (myself included lol) that we are young. We have time to dream, plan, and not have to hurry things. I felt hurried. I would tell my younger self to just be myself and not over think things. Trust my guts. Listen and respect authority and others. Build relationships (the right ones and even ones that are out of your comfort zone if it is benefiting them) and don't let others intimidate you. Respect your colleagues and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Always be open to learning new things. Take what you want, throw out what you don't think is good for you. Girls: love who you are and what you believe in. Respect yourself (even if it means risking "losing" out on an opportunity. And respect others and they will respect you for it."
"Visuals...like films, especially foreign artsy type, and just observing random things, different people, situations, personal experiences, emotions, sunsets, nature, and the concrete."
What does your creative process look like?
"It's very different and constantly changing. I don't structure things, so sometimes it happens impulsively or spontaneously. Other times, I have to schedule in a time to "focus". The process is blurry in that it begins from a place where inspiration is stirred (where ever and whenever that might be) and it never really ends. I look at my projects as a continuation from one process to another all inspired from each other."
Shanti Das has stated "It's difficult as a woman working in a business that sometimes degrades other women." What are your thoughts about this comment?
"In an industry where men have established their grounds for generations and more recently, the increasing number of women in the same industry today that are setting themselves apart as individuals in their own right, I have personally experienced a "boys club mentality" in settings when I was outnumbered, particularly, by male artists. Understandably, this behaviour can stem from early childhood and natural gender code. I believe as a woman, at times there is still a sense of having to prove one's self to earn respect. There can be a power struggle between genders which can lead to intimidation, provoking, or disregard. I agree women are at times "degraded" to feel inferior if the male is the authority figure thus taken advantage of. But, it can go both ways."
What messages do you hope to send to aspiring young girl musicians? What advice do you have for young girl musicians?
"Young people let alone, young musicians struggle with identity issues. I would say it this way: I would tell my younger self that I am young. At 18, I had compared myself unrealistically with celebrities, and "successful" 18 yr olds of that time and I felt unaccomplished and old. I tell young people (myself included lol) that we are young. We have time to dream, plan, and not have to hurry things. I felt hurried. I would tell my younger self to just be myself and not over think things. Trust my guts. Listen and respect authority and others. Build relationships (the right ones and even ones that are out of your comfort zone if it is benefiting them) and don't let others intimidate you. Respect your colleagues and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Always be open to learning new things. Take what you want, throw out what you don't think is good for you. Girls: love who you are and what you believe in. Respect yourself (even if it means risking "losing" out on an opportunity. And respect others and they will respect you for it."