The program name Nolja means ‘Let’s play!’ as it is deeply embedded in our philosophy to live in

harmony, at peace and full of leisure.

Korean traditional music is an artform that focuses on connecting with oneself and others and in this overwhelmingly fast-paced new era filled with smart technology and digital interaction, I want to transport everyone back to the time we rang doorbells and not phones to ask permission to play. I want to draw them from behind their screens to immerse them in our traditional Korean culture and transfer our infectious playful energy. 

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Korean traditional music is also art that paints silence in many beautiful ways.

Unlike a lot of music where the focus tends to be on the notes we hear, Korean traditional music places importance in the space between. Most of our music have odd number beats (3, 5, 7) in one cycle to allow the space inbetween to breathe. As a result, circular movement is consistently maintained and the music sounds “alive”.

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Alongside appreciating this beauty of Korean music, these traits can be applied to any genre of music.

With a transformed perception of time, students are challenged to break free from typical Western traditions governed by the metronome and barlines. Students can also expect to develop a higher ensemble awareness as extreme importance is placed on communal effort and a need to move as

one through the action of breath.​​