Justin: Today’s Musicians, Tomorrow’s Artists!

Celebrating students who transform their dedication into remarkable achievements, both in music and in life, is a practice at SOUNDS Academy. Today, we’re proud to highlight Justin Kang, a soon to be senior, whose creativity, perseverance, and love for music continue to inspire everyone around him.

Justin recently earned 1st place in the senior division at Arizona Musicfest, an accomplishment he attributes to tireless preparation, guidance from his teacher Miss Jamie Kellogg, and support from his family and peers. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the help of so many people,” he says.

Justin’s preparation for the competition was extensive. He began studying Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, first movement in June 2025, practicing intensively for four and a half months and attending summer music camps to gain fresh insights. He explains, “I spent time listening to other students play, trying out different interpretations, and thinking about how I could make the piece unique while staying true to the composer’s intent. That’s what makes music really personal, you combine your ideas with the composer’s to bring a piece to life.”

Justin describes challenges he overcame during preparation, from managing body tension during performances to mastering a singing vibrato in his left hand. “It took patience and persistence,” he says. “I studied recordings of professional musicians, imitated techniques, and practiced until I started to understand how to achieve the sound I wanted. It was all about finding solutions and pushing forward.”

Justin shared with us that his love for music is deeply personal. He draws inspiration from his older brother and SOUNDS Academy graduate, Daniel Kang, whose dedication and tone captivated him from a young age. “He’s my biggest inspiration,” Justin says. “Being close to him made music feel magical and motivated me to strive for that same level of expression.”

When asked which character value at Sounds Academy he embodied most during this journey, Justin reflects, “I’d say resilience. There were challenges I didn’t know how to solve at first, but I kept pushing forward, learning, and improving.”

Empowerment is a key component here at SOUNDS Academy. We believe in pouring into the whole of a student, beyond music. That mentorship carries over in our student’s connections with one another. Justin’s advice for other youth and aspiring musicians? “Love what you do and don’t give up. When you truly care about your craft, the effort you put in is worth it, and persistence will take you far.”

Looking ahead, Justin aims to pursue cello performance in college and ultimately become a musician who makes music accessible to everyone, just as he experienced it. “Music is important, and I believe everyone should have access to it,” he says. “My goal is to share music with as many people as possible.”

Justin’s story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and resilience. At SOUNDS Academy, we’re proud to celebrate his accomplishments today and can’t wait to see him inspire tomorrow!

Keep up the great work, Justin! 👏🏿👏🏿