Julia (Hyeyin) Jun ’24
Penang, Malaysia & Seoul, South Korea
Major: Music Education
Why did you choose Goshen?
While living in Goshen from 7th through 9th grade, I was given the privilege to join the Community School of the Art’s youth orchestra and choir. These programs enabled me to become familiar with Goshen College’s music curriculum. Additionally, they showed me how music can be a shared experience within a community—something that I’d not experienced while living in Malaysia.
I also studied piano with Dr. Luke Norell, whom I continued to take online lessons from all throughout high school. The familiar aspect of Goshen and its musical support during my time there gave me comfort in returning, and it was the main reason why I chose GC.
Why did you choose your major?
Growing up as a South Korean Third Culture Kid exposed me to a variety of education systems, as I attended Malaysian, Chinese, Korean and American schools. And in those settings, how they taught music differed as well.
I decided to take advantage of my multi-cultural experience and go into music education, studying how to approach students and how to meet them where they are. I am very much interested in learning about the aspects of vocal and instrumental education in hopes of becoming a music director at an international school one day.
What career are you interested in pursuing?
Once I complete my degree at Goshen, I am looking into pursuing a Ph.D. in musicology or music theory in the U.S., and hopefully work as a music theory professor at a university. Ultimately, I plan to return overseas and teach at an international school, sharing my musical insights with students from around the world.
What is a valuable experience that you have had at Goshen?
The first thing that comes to mind would definitely be the wonderful professors I’ve met at GC. Listening to their lectures, their insights, and diving into conversations with them has been one of the most valuable things I’ve experienced at Goshen College. Passionate educators inspire passionate learners, and Goshen truly provides a quality education to its students.