IMPROMPTU
by Rosie Constantine and Tymarra Sherrill
Boram Kang
VIOLIN
Welcoming a newborn into the world is a tremendous amount of work for any mother , let alone a professional musician ! But First Violin Boram Kang knows she can do it all :
“ It ’ s necessary to be as efficient as possible now — in everything that I do !” said Boram . “ I have to be very regimented , and even with practicing my violin , I know exactly what I plan to practice the next day . That ’ s completely different than the hours I spent in a practice room as a student !”
Fortunately , Boram knows that she has a lot of help . Not many professional musicians get to move back to their hometown , but after growing up in Silver Spring , Maryland , Boram ’ s family is here to support !
“ Every day , I drop Liam off with my mom on the way to work , and then she can also be there to watch him when I need to practice . And Liam loves spending time with his dad when I have concerts on the weekends ! Of course , I wish I could be there to put him to sleep when we have concerts , but in some ways , I also get to spend more time with him compared to most working parents .”
And while practicing and concerts take time , Boram proudly admits that she and Liam do just about everything else together .
“ He ’ s learning a lot now , and it ’ s more fun !” she exclaimed . “ He ’ ll go and find his favorite book for you , and then he has to sit in your lap to read it . But he also loves to run around and play ! It makes you feel very vulnerable because , as much as you want to protect your child from everything , you can ’ t put them in bubble wrap !”
Learn more about Boram !
Through everything , Boram has been most amazed by the other mothers in the BSO .
“ I had never really considered the challenges of raising a child until I had one myself ,” said Boram . “ Balancing being a mom and a musician can be hard , and I just have so much respect for the mothers in the orchestra — being there for your family and working as much as we can !”
TRAVIS MARSHALL
44 OVERTURE / BSOmusic . org