Conductor Baek Yoonhak's journey from engineering student to classical music maestro began with a simple moment of singing in a university choir. Now known as the "dancing conductor" for his expressive podium style, the 50-year-old is on a mission to bring classical music to wider and more diverse audiences through innovative programming and passionate performances.
For most of his youth, from his years at a magnet science high school to his engineering studies at Seoul National University, Baek lived in a world where one plus one simply equaled two. However, his path changed dramatically when he joined his university choir, where singing and conducting felt like "more than an addition" – it was the creation of something entirely new. "It's hard to explain," Baek told The Korea Herald during an August 20 interview, "but it felt like being the main character in a movie when conducting in front of the choir. I just had a feeling I wouldn't regret it until the day I died."
The feeling proved so powerful that Baek decided to pursue music professionally, despite his parents' initial opposition. After graduating from one of South Korea's top engineering schools, he made the bold decision to transfer to a music program where he majored in classical music. He later continued his studies at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in the United States, followed by Temple University, where he specialized in piano accompaniment and opera coaching.
Now a professor at Yeungnam University, Baek has attracted attention for both his unique background and his distinctive conducting style. His expressive and energetic movements on the podium have earned him the nickname "the dancing conductor," though he's quick to point out that neither his engineering background nor his animated conducting style is particularly unusual. "When you meet conductors, you often find they are very logical," Baek explained. "And it's not unusual, especially abroad, for conductors to come from completely different fields."
Baek credits his analytical training in engineering – with its emphasis on logic and systematic thinking – as well as countless discussions with classmates as valuable tools for learning and interpreting complex musical scores. However, he notes an interesting paradox in his approach: "One might expect that my analytical training would make my conducting appear analytical as well, but, for me, it was quite the opposite. My movements just come naturally." He describes a conductor's role as having two distinct parts: "traffic control and breathing life into the music as an artist. My passionate movements are part of that latter role."
This signature style has made Baek a leader in expanding classical music's reach through orchestral performances of popular film soundtracks, including beloved scores from Studio Ghibli and Disney movies. While these programs might seem like a departure from traditional classical repertoire, Baek views them as essential to his mission of making classical music more accessible. The results speak for themselves: "When I ask how many people are seeing an orchestra concert for the first time, about 80 percent of the 1,000-seat hall raise their hands," he revealed. "We've had about 60 such concerts, so roughly 48,000 people who had never been to an orchestra before have come because of these concerts."
For Baek, the specific genre matters less than the outcome – creating new fans for live music. While he acknowledges that some purists might not consider film scores to be "classical" music, he doesn't feel compelled to argue the point. "My goal is to get people interested in music," he said, explaining that these concerts create a positive feedback loop that encourages audiences to explore more traditional classical works. "After all," he noted, "what we now call classical music was once revolutionary, too."
Baek's philosophy was set to be on full display during a special Friday performance, when he took the stage with the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus for the Summer Family Concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. This sold-out concert marked a significant milestone, bringing him in front of a choir professionally for the first time in more than 30 years since he decided to become a conductor. The diverse program included Mozart's "Coronation Mass," beloved opera choruses by Verdi and Puccini, and orchestral favorites such as Strauss's "Blue Danube" and Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March."
Perhaps his unconventional background and formative experience singing in a college choir have fueled his passion for making music accessible to everyone. During the interview, Baek expressed genuine interest in a wide range of musical genres, from K-pop and video game music to musicals. He remains actively involved with both the Daegu Youth Orchestra and the IBK Together Orchestra, an amateur ensemble composed of people from diverse professions who come together to make music after long days at demanding jobs. "I find it deeply moving to create music with people who seek solace and joy in it," he said.
Ultimately, Baek's mission extends beyond any single performance or genre. His goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that music brings happiness to everyone it touches. "I just hope that everyone, whether they're a performer or a listener, can be happy," he concluded, embodying the same spirit that first drew him from the logical world of engineering into the transformative realm of music.
