We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sihyun Uhm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
SiHyun, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Finding my purpose has been a gradual and transformative journey, one that has been shaped by a deep connection to both music and nature, and an evolving understanding of how these passions intersect. As a child, I developed a profound love for animals and the environment, something that stayed with me throughout my life. I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility towards the world’s creatures, especially those in danger of extinction. However, it wasn’t until I began studying music and multimedia art in depth that I truly understood how I could channel this passion into a meaningful, artistic pursuit.
For many years, I pursued music purely for its artistic value, composing and performing with an emphasis on creativity and exploration. But as I delved deeper into my studies, I realized that the power of art extends beyond aesthetic enjoyment; it can serve as a powerful tool for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and inspiring change. During this time, I became more conscious of the environmental challenges we face, particularly the plight of endangered species and the broader consequences of climate change. I started to think about how my music could serve a dual purpose—not only as a medium for expression but also as a vehicle for advocacy.
My realization came when I began to combine my love for animals with my artistic practice. I envisioned creating an immersive concert experience that would combine live ensemble music with multimedia art inspired by the sounds of endangered animals. This idea was fueled by my desire to raise awareness about the extinction crisis in a way that people could connect with emotionally. The deeper I went into this concept, the more I realized that this was my purpose: to create music and art that not only expresses my creativity but also serves as a catalyst for environmental change. This fusion of art and advocacy felt like the perfect way to use my skills to make a difference in the world.
While many of my works now include themes of nature, endangered animals, and environmental conservation, not every project I create centers around these issues. My purpose is broader—it’s about exploring how music and multimedia art can speak to the human experience, raise questions, and stir emotions. Some of my works focus on more personal, introspective themes, and others may simply seek to challenge the boundaries of sound and image. But the core of my purpose is to create art that fosters a deeper understanding, encourages dialogue, and evokes meaningful responses from the audience.
In many ways, I feel like my purpose found me rather than me finding it, and it’s been a continuous journey of discovery and evolution. It’s something that now defines not just my music but the way I approach all my projects. Every work I create, whether focused on advocacy or more personal explorations, is a step toward honing my craft and continuing to evolve as an artist.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a composer and multimedia artist, and my work is driven by a desire to create immersive, thought-provoking experiences that blend music, generative visuals, and storytelling. What excites me most is how these different elements come together to engage audiences on multiple levels—emotionally, intellectually, and sometimes even physically.
Right now, I’m organizing an ensemble and multimedia concert dedicated to endangered animals. This project is deeply personal to me, not just as an artist but as someone who has always been fascinated by the natural world. Animals have a unique way of existing—each species communicating, adapting, and interacting in ways that are intricate and profound. But so many of these creatures are disappearing, not always due to a single cause but often a web of human-driven threats: habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, industrial noise, climate shifts, and more.
With this project, I don’t just want to mourn these losses—I want to celebrate the beauty of these animals while acknowledging the challenges they face. The concert will feature music that captures the essence of different endangered species, from the haunting songs of whales disrupted by ocean noise pollution to the delicate movements of butterflies losing their migratory paths. The ensemble will play a crucial role in embodying these creatures—sometimes through solos that allow a single instrument to take on the voice of an animal, sometimes through intricate textures that reflect entire ecosystems.
What makes this project unique is the integration of generative multimedia. The visuals will evolve in real time, responding to the music, sometimes highlighting the natural patterns of these species, other times emphasizing the fragility of their existence. This interplay between sound and image is what makes me so passionate about multimedia art—it allows for a deeper, more visceral connection. I want audiences to not just hear or see but to feel—to experience the presence of these animals in a way that lingers long after the performance ends.
My work has always been about creating spaces where music and technology intersect to tell meaningful stories. Whether it’s through generative visuals, interactive installations, or blending scientific data with artistic expression, I’m constantly exploring new ways to push artistic boundaries. This endangered animal concert is a part of that larger vision—to use my skills as a composer and multimedia artist to bring attention to voices that often go unheard, to create something that stays with people, that makes them notice, that makes them care.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Curiosity – A natural drive to explore and learn has shaped everything I do. Whether it’s discovering new artistic techniques, learning different disciplines, or diving deep into unfamiliar subjects, curiosity has pushed me to evolve. For those starting out, I’d encourage keeping an open mind—ask questions, seek out knowledge in unexpected places, and never stop exploring. Some of the most meaningful discoveries come from simply following what excites you.
2. Resilience – Challenges and failures are not roadblocks; they are what lead to new, unexpected paths. Some of my most exciting opportunities have come after setbacks that forced me to rethink my approach. Whether it’s a piece being rejected, a project hitting technical roadblocks, or an idea not working as expected, I’ve found that resilience allows me to push forward and uncover possibilities I hadn’t even considered before. My advice: embrace obstacles as part of the creative process. They often lead to something even better than what you originally planned.
3. Adaptability – The ability to adjust and pivot when needed has been essential, especially in today’s fast-changing world. Whether it’s learning new technology, adjusting to different creative environments, or responding to unforeseen circumstances, being flexible has helped me grow. For those early in their journey, I’d suggest staying open to change—experiment, take risks, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes, the most exciting opportunities come from being willing to adapt.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been in multimedia-driven projects and expanding my role as an artistic organizer. While I’ve always composed for acoustic and electronic settings, my recent work has pushed me to think about how ensemble writing interacts with visuals, how sound can guide an audience’s experience in a multimedia setting, and how different artistic disciplines can coexist within a single performance.
Additionally, taking on the role of organizing a large-scale multimedia and ensemble concert has been a huge learning experience. It’s one thing to compose music, but another to bring together musicians, coordinate logistics, and ensure that both the artistic and technical elements align smoothly. Managing multiple moving parts—ensemble members, technology, and multimedia components—has taught me a lot about leadership, communication, and big-picture thinking.
This growth has not only made me more confident in taking on ambitious projects but has also sparked new ideas and a more innovative approach to future work. The challenges and successes of my recent projects have inspired me to think more creatively about future collaborations and compositions. These experiences have led me to consider new ways of integrating technology, expanding interactive elements, and pushing the boundaries of traditional performance formats. They’ve also made me more open to experimenting with new concepts and trying approaches I might not have considered before, which has opened the door to even more exciting and fresh projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sihyunuhm.com
- Instagram: instagra.com/sihyunuhm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siamusic123/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sihyunuhm/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ush1999
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SiHyunUhm
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sihyunuhm
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