Mikyoung Park, a Lyric soprano, is from Seoul, South Korea. Mikyoung has 35 years of voice teaching experience, and she currently teaches at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a voice and piano faculty.
South Korea CompleteWhat is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
Being a mentor and companion to others, including my students and friends
My greatest passion as a voice teacher and vocal professional is being a mentor and companion to others, especially my students and friends. For me, teaching voice is about more than just showing someone how to sing. It’s about being part of their journey, helping them grow as both artists and individuals. I find immense joy in seeing my students' lives enriched through music and singing, as it nurtures their emotional well-being and gives them a sense of fulfillment.
Over the past 35 years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse group of students in various settings. In my experience, learning to sing is often not just about technique; it's about addressing personal needs and helping students connect deeply with their own bodies and voices. Singing involves the whole self, and if that instrument — the body — is not prepared or balanced, we cannot expect good results. That's why I focus not just on teaching vocal technique, but on truly understanding my students’ needs, guiding them through challenges, and helping them grow.
There’s a unique joy in watching my students not only achieve their musical goals but also use singing as a tool for personal growth. Whether it’s overcoming stage fright, building confidence, or simply finding a deeper connection to their emotions, I am inspired every day by how they grow through music. This holistic approach is what brings me the greatest joy in my work, and I am grateful to be part of their journey as both a teacher and a companion.
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
Students' achievements and their life growth surrounded by music
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I am very proud of my work at MacPhail Center for Music, the largest community music school in the U.S. My studio is home to a wonderfully diverse group of students who study a variety of musical styles, including classical, musical theater, and pop/K-pop. Throughout each semester, I witness my students' growth and development, which they showcase through recitals, competitions, and local performances.
Some highlights from my students' achievements in 2024 include:
- Two of my students had the honor of singing the National Anthem and God Bless America at a Minnesota Twins game.
- One student was invited to perform at a prestigious local event Next Generation: a showcase for classical musicians.
- Several students were awarded at the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) auditions.
- Numerous students performed lead roles in various musical theater productions in the community.
It has been a deeply rewarding year to work with such talented and dedicated students. Watching them discover and refine their own abilities, while also helping them build confidence and shine in their performances, brings me immense joy. I am so proud of their accomplishments and excited to continue supporting them in their musical journeys.
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
Trained as a song leader in global music
Classically trained, I can sing and teach a variety of languages, including Italian, German, French, English, Spanish, Latin, and Korean— which is my native tongue. Beyond this formal education, I've had unique experiences training in global music, especially in church settings, where I’ve worked with musicians from diverse backgrounds. This has led me to learn songs in so many more languages, such as Swahili, Portuguese, Mandarin, Xhosa, Shona, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Punjabi, Arabic, Guarani, and more. While I may not speak all these languages fluently, I’ve developed an ear for pronunciation and know how to guide others in teaching these songs.
Additionally, I’m skilled in playing various percussion instruments like the guiro, ching-chop, maracas, shekere, claves, cabasa and others— all of which I’ve used in these musical experiences.
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
To expand my knowledge and build my confidence in teaching a variety of singing styles
Although my expertise is in classical music, my teaching environment requires me to teach a variety of singing styles. Even with a voice pedagogy certificate, I felt the need to deepen my understanding of other genres, particularly pop and commercial singing styles.
I spent a lot of time researching through books and online resources, including YouTube. While this was helpful, it was through these efforts that I discovered Justin’s channel. His approach to explaining vocal techniques was simple, clear, and easy to grasp. His way of breaking down complex concepts sparked my interest and encouraged me to further pursue training in these areas. This ultimately led me to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program, where I knew I could gain the tools and expertise needed to teach a broader range of vocal styles with confidence.
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
Joy and confidence building
My decision to enroll in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program has been incredibly rewarding. It had been a while since I was in a classroom setting, completing assignments and engaging in structured learning. I truly enjoyed every moment of the program. It was refreshing to be a student again, absorbing new knowledge, listening to a wide range of repertoires, and interacting with a passionate instructor and fellow students who are all dedicated to becoming better teachers. The experience not only expanded my knowledge but also boosted my confidence, particularly in teaching pop/commercial styles. It equipped me with invaluable tools that will help me guide my own students toward success.
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?
Empty yourself
Even with extensive teaching experience and holding a voice pedagogy certificate from DMA, which focuses more on classical singing, I still found the lectures at NYVC to be incredibly eye-opening. Each week, I encountered new insights that challenged my existing knowledge. I realized that simply adding to what I already knew wasn't enough. My advice to future participants is to "empty yourself." By doing so, you'll create more space to fully absorb the vast amount of information shared by the lecturers. This openness will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of how to teach pop and commercial singing effectively.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
Recognizing and embracing aging
The biggest challenge I’ve faced as an artist and teacher has been recognizing and embracing aging. I don’t view aging as something negative; in fact, I believe it brings invaluable insight and wisdom. However, it’s still a struggle to fully accept the changes that come with age, especially when it affects something as personal as my voice.
As I’ve noticed my voice becoming heavier and finding it more difficult to reach high notes with the same ease I had in my youth, I initially felt frustrated. But over time, this experience has enriched my teaching. I became deeply curious about why these changes were occurring and how I could adapt to them. This led me to develop a variety of strategies to address these challenges—not just for myself, but for my students as well. It’s been an evolving journey of acceptance and adaptation, and in the end, I believe it’s made me a more effective teacher and a more empathetic artist.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
My mentors, who are my victories
In a life that has been intertwined with music for over 50 years, I have experienced many victories. Always doing my best and never being lazy has been the way I've lived, and I truly believed that’s how life should be. As a result, I’ve had many valuable experiences. Looking back on those moments, there have always been teachers who guided me. I am deeply grateful to them, and following their teachings has become a core part of my educational philosophy. For me, those wonderful teachers, as an artist, teacher, and vocal professional, are the epitome of my victories. And I aspire to be the kind of teacher who leaves a similar impact on my own students.
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
Whoever has a voice, they should sing
Singing is a beautiful gift, and everyone who has a voice should feel empowered to use it. I often share a story that left a deep impact on me. Over 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a church gathering, where the guest speaker was a missionary who had worked in North Korea, a country where religion is prohibited. He shared that, despite the ban, some underground churches existed, and people would gather to worship by mouthing hymns, since they were not allowed to use their voices. Hearing this story was a wake-up call for me. It made me realize how fortunate we are to live in a space where we can freely lift our voices without fear. Whether we sing well or not, it is a privilege to sing, and it’s a freedom that should never be taken for granted. So, I encourage every singer to embrace the gift they have and sing proudly!
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
Never give up and have patience
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned throughout my journey is the importance of perseverance and patience. In this field, progress isn't always immediate, and there will be challenges—whether it’s with vocal technique, a student’s progress, or personal growth. But the key is to never give up, even when things seem tough. Every step, no matter how small, contributes to improvement. Having patience with both yourself and your students allows for deeper understanding and long-term success. Trust the process, keep pushing forward, and know that growth happens in its own time.
How can we find out more about you and your work?
MacPhail Center for Music
