Dr. Seong’s substantial knowledge of music history, theory, and performance practice and her insightful analytic abilities have been shown through her research. Her scholarly dissertations, "The Study of Franz Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasie Op.15" and "Musical Background, Analysis, and Performance Guideline of Nikolai Kapustin’s Bagatelle No.6 and No.8, Op.59", have been published by Proquest, the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Korean National Assembly, and the Lap Lambert Academic Publishing company in Korea and the USA. Sekyeong is recognized as a musical professional for the remarkable quality of her performances and scholarly dissertations.
Sekyeong was awarded for her noteworthy achievements by sponsors Korean Krumm and Derek H. Busch in 2010, 2012, and 2013. She has been recognized for her extraordinary academic achievements and has been nominated for and awarded the prestigious Pi Kappa Lambda membership in the Music Honor Society. This award is given in recognition of high levels of scholarship and musicianship.
In her scholarly work, Dr. Seong specializes in Third Stream music, that is, the incorporation of non-classical music elements into the classical piano literature. Her study of the composer Nikolai Kapustin, included background, analysis, performance guidelines, and an elucidation of the manner in which Kapustin moved away from traditional compositional techniques and towards more experimental compositional ideas in his works. She highlighted his characteristic use of rhythm, harmony, and melody. These works broadened the conception of classical music and raised awareness of the significance of jazz amongst contemporary composers.
For her performances of Kapustin's music, Sekyeong researched the composer's musical style, musical interpretation, methods to achieve technical perfection, and his manner of dealing with the jazz idiom as a classically trained pianist. She molded this research into her performances of Kapustin's music.
In her scholarly dissertation, Sekyeong examined some of the psychological implications of analysis, exploring the ways in which analysis can help the performer be attentive and engaged in the moment. In order to help one take pleasure, and to fully benefit from the analytical insights during practice, Sekyeong's research aimed to cultivate a mindful mode of thinking; one steps away from constant action and becomes more curious and observant in the process of music-making. Her research encourages classical pianists’ involvement in analysis and internalization of music influenced by jazz. Her dissertation contributed to helping the classically trained pianist understand the physical aspects of playing, by applying the notion of mindfulness to one’s approach to the instrument.
Though Nikolai Kapustin’s works have been played by numerous pianists worldwide, since the year 2000, there has been a scarcity of scholarly resources for classical pianists who want jazz performance guidelines. Classical pianists who wish to incorporate jazz into their repertoire need a deep understanding of Third Stream style in terms of rhythm, theory, jazz improvisation, and characteristic tunes associated with jazz. Most classical pianists don’t have experience playing improvisatory jazz style, and they play Kapustin’s music without understanding what constitutes a "jazz style" performance. Dr. Seong’s dissertation delivers the deep understanding required for playing Third Stream style music.
Classical pianists need to have reign over the technical details, but at the same time release the music, allowing its spirit to win out over the realm of control. Her dissertation brings classical pianists together and connects them to the their deep roots of both classical music and jazz. Her dissertation encourages classical pianists to learn Kapustin’s compositions and to face the challenges that enrich one’s involvement with music that applies not only to Kapustin’s pieces but also to other music as well. Her research helps open the classical pianists’ eyes to a broader horizon, thereby enhancing the possibilities of classical pianists’ performance experiences.
Dr. Seong gave an outstanding presentation at OSU on Nikolai Kapustin’s music, and her performance idea guidelines, in 2015. She included a performance of Kapustin’s pieces in her presentation. She lectured about Kapustin’s musical style, influence, and jazz elements. Her recital program choice was influential for classically trained pianists, as there are an increasing number of classical pianists playing Third Stream style of music today.
Dr. Seong's research is valuable for pianists interested in playing the works of many other classical composers, such as: William Balcom, Debussy, Darius Milhaud, and M. Ravel who fused classical compositional ideas with jazz elements.
“ “Dr. Seong is a unique and treasured pianist for her ability to skillfully fuse classical music with jazz, in particular, Third Stream Music which was the focus of her original scholarly documentation at The Ohio State University. She has since become an expert, both as a performer and as a lecturer in this area, especially the music of Nikolai Kapustin, the celebrated Russian classical / jazz composer. There are perhaps, at most, a handful of musicians in the world that can manage to master both of these styles and then integrate them successfully in performance. Her versatility is one of her great strengths; it is uncommon to find a talent who traverses the genres of classical music and jazz and can sustain a professional career at this high-level.“
- Steven Glaser, Professor of Piano at The Ohio State University
”
““Kapustin’s Bagatelles are inspired by Third Stream, a controversial and sophisticated fusion of classical and jazz techniques. They present considerable challenges for a performer because they are fully notated using symbols familiar to classical musicians, but these symbols must be interpreted according to stylistic norms of jazz. Above all, the performer must play this fully-notated music with the spontaneity of an improviser. Kapustin’s Bagatelles make use of a harmonic language that is drawn from Russian modernism, classical harmony, and jazz. Dr. Seong completed extensive research into the stylistic background of these works and untangled the challenging harmonic language through her analysis, which required becoming proficient in jazz idioms.
She created a magnificent impression when she performed the Kapustin Bagatelles in public due to her uncanny ability to internalize the stylistic language of jazz and to apply it to these works. In turn, she was able to analyze her own performance choices and make a set of interpretative recommendations for other pianists based upon her extensive research and her deep understanding of the diverse styles that make up the music.”
- Dr. Anna Gawboy, Professor of Composition and composition pedagogy at The Ohio State University
”
““Her performance technique, musical interpretation and the quality of her every performance is extraordinary. She is an outstanding professional musician, and possesses special skills that set her apart and makes her musicianship an inspiration to other pianists.
Her Doctoral dissertation, which is about investigation of composing and performing technique of Nikolai Kapustin and other 20th and 21st composers who incorporate jazz elements into a classical music platform, was truly a scholarly valuable source in music field.
Dr. Seong’s performance of Kapustin’s music demonstrated a nuanced understanding of jazz rhythm, while maintaining the seriousness common to classical concert piano music. It is impressive to observe a pianist who can perform two different styles in an equal remarkable high quality. Dr. Seong’s piano performance is moving and phenomenal to listen to. I knew immediately that she was special and that I wanted to play with her. Her dissertation makes some interesting connections that are very compatible with the idea of hybrid works which I am working on. She is now collaborating with me. Our duo will perform nationally and internationally, and will release a CD.”
- Dr. Shawn Wallace, Professor of Jazz and Saxophone at The Ohio State University
”