Dr. Rachel Park, an Assistant Professor of Piano in the David L. Walters Department of Music, grew up in Seoul, South Korea. She eventually moved to the United States, where she earned her D.M.A. in Piano Performance from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.

She completed her terminal degree in May 2020, publishing her dissertation “A Performer’s Analysis of Piano sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109 by Ludwig van Beethoven and Trois Mouvements de Petrouchka by Igor Stravinsky: A Historical and Analytical Study for Performance Guidelines and Musical Interpretation.” More recently, she worked with Dr. Jeremy Benson on his entrance into the Grand Prix International Music Competition, where he won first place in his semifinal round.

Now in her fourth year of teaching at JSU, Park initially came in 2017 as a visiting faculty member but fell in love with teaching and JSU after one year. When a position for Assistant Professor was posted, Park applied, becoming an official faculty member of JSU after the interview and audition process. “That was such an unforgettable moment for me,” Park recalls.

This semester, Park is teaching Class Piano I & II, Primary and Secondary Applied Music, and Accompanying classes. She loves them all equally, so she does not have a favorite course to teach. Park accompanies the JSU A Cappella Choir and student recitals, too. About her favorite part of her job, Park says, “I love to see that my students find the ‘ah-ha’ moment in their learning when I suggest trying something new for them. That moment makes my day!”. Park also has an affinity for the Music Department and its members. “The faculty members are always uplifting each other and willing to help and collaborate to support each other. We respect each other and think of others first. I love my colleagues and the culture we have in the music department.”

Park is not only passionate about her job, but also passionate about piano. “Playing and teaching piano is what I love to do and can do best. I am so grateful that I can keep pursuing what I love to do at JSU, even helping my students to grow in their profession.”

When asked about her favorite performance, Park looks to the time that she performed for one of the native tribes in Thailand. “They walked across the forest for days to come to hear our performance (Pilgrim Ensemble, South Korea). They made a stage with bamboo trees and planted wildflowers in front of it to decorate. After our performance, they sang in a cappella. They were amazing musicians. I cannot forget the performance I had under the full moon at a mountain beside a quiet river in Chiang Mai in Thailand.”

As involved as she is at JSU, Park has several projects outside of the university. She has a workshop presentation titled “How to Bring Life into Your Performance” with Birmingham Metro Music Forum on April 21^st, in addition to a piano recital at the Birmingham Piano Gallery on April 24^th as a part of Saturdays at Steinway. Parks’s Carnegie Hall Debut Recital has been rescheduled for November 29^th, 2021, after its initial date was cancelled due to COVID-19. She also has seven recitals coming up with JSU students and a faculty member.

Park has three children, aged 2, 5, and 9, so she does not have free time. “My weekend is the busiest time of the week, but I love to make crafts and play with my kids. It is hard to take care of three kids, but they also give me energy to keep going on with their smiles. They teach me to be responsible, gentle, strong, honest, thoughtful, and mature.”

If she had to give advice to her past self, it would be to “Ask and follow where God leads me. Put down my willful thought.”

Her advice to students is slightly similar. “Trust in the Lord with your all heart and not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).”