Yenju

Which musician would you like to play with?

Miroslav Tadic is a well-known Serbian guitarist, and I hope I can perform with him, playing some Balkan folk music together.

Which musician has influenced you the most?

Debussy. The voice leading and polyrhythms in his compositions are incredible and innovative. A lot my composition is inspired from him

What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?

I emphasize positions and gestures. I believe that no matter which instrument I'm teaching, it's important to relax the body and not add extra tension to the arms, fingers, wrists, etc. I continually remind my students of the correct hand positions, and maintaining proper gestures helps when learning more complicated skills.

How did you learn to play your instrument?

I began with private lessons and also taught myself. It's wonderful to have someone coach me for my performances, but I also enjoy exploring and learning techniques, like belting, on my own in singing.

What equipment do you play on today?

violin

Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?

I'm a very patient person and willing to take baby steps for building up an virtuoso skill.

What does your instrument have that others don't?

I've been actively performing in various music styles, which is what makes me stand out. My improvisations combine elements from different music genres such as classical, ethnic music, and jazz. That's why I have a unique style in my performances.

How do you handle children?

I truly believe it is necessary to understand the personality of every child. Some kids learn quickly, but they often lack patience, so I always advise them to take things slow, ensuring that they pay attention to every detail. For children who are shy or learn at a slower pace, I make sure they can absorb the lessons at their own speed. I don't want to overwhelm them and make them feel more frustrated, so I always emphasize that it's perfectly fine to take extra time for learning. I review the materials repeatedly until they fully grasp the concepts.

What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?

I've performed in a theater play, and it has been the greatest experience so far. I love how all the musicians hide in the pit just to produce sound, and we all have to really pay attention to the conductor to ensure the music stays in sync with the acts. I had a great time throughout the whole night.

What was the biggest stage you played on?

Red Cat

Which record would you take with you to the desert island?

Alexander Desplat, "The Grand Budapest Hotel Original Sound Tracks"

Besides music, what else is important in your life?

Cinema has always been a big part of my life. I am enthusiastic about watching movies and enjoy analyzing them, understanding the stories behind the scenes.

Music style(s)

ClassicaljazzBalkan folk musiclatin americannoise rockmetal

Level(s) Comfortable Teaching

Violin/Viola, beginner to professional; Piano, beginner to advanced; Voice, beginner to intermediate; Drum, beginner; I’m also available to teach composition, song writingz, music production, music theory and other musicianship related skills.

What languages can you teach in?

EnglishMandarin

Videos

Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations

Bands: Raccoon Children (violin, vocal), The Cathlene Pineda Ensemble (violin) Elysian Theater: Contrition Pageant (violinist) The Reef LA: La Conventa (violin improvisation) Stomping Ground LA: Makor (violinist) Santa Clarita Methodist Church: Winter Season Concert (2nd violinist) Film Composing Collaborations: "Maguey", "Plaque", "Cilindro" Awards: Honorable Mention from The Indie Gathering Film Festival

Other Music-related work / goals

I work independently as an event planner, producing shows at several LA-based venues. I hope to gain more experience from it to secure more event planning gigs.

Accolades

Awards: Honorable Mention from The 2019 Indie Gathering Film Festival

Personal Interests

Cooking! I'm a very decent home cook.