Artist of The Issue: Lynn Sung

As a child, Lynn Sung ’26 was the only member of her family to play an instrument. After switching from the piano to the violin, Sung initially displayed little enthusiasm for her new instrument. However, Sung’s passion began to grow over time as she watched other musicians perform. “One day, my mom showed me a bunch of videos of famous violinists…they were always playing with closed eyes, and really feeling the music,” she said. “I decided to close my own eyes like they did, and soon I found myself getting immersed in the music…that’s when I knew that I was interested in the violin.”

Sung moved to the United States at the age of sixteen to begin her freshman year at Deerfield, where she joined the Deerfield Orchestra and Chamber. At the same time, Sung enrolled in the Juilliard Pre-College to advance her violin studies, balancing her Deerfield classes during the week with Juilliard coursework during the weekends. The constant commuting between Deerfield and New York, which often takes up to three hours by car, has been part of Sung’s routine since her freshman year. “Honestly, it caused a lot of stress, because I don't really have time to spend with my friends, or on campus, or doing my homework,” Sung explained. “My entire Saturday is basically Juilliard— I'm taking music theory, ear training, chamber, orchestra, and private lessons. It’s really not that interesting, but it does help a lot with violin. ”

Despite the demands of her schedule, Sung appreciates the time she spends in New York. “Being in New York is fun, and it’s a privilege that I can go there every weekend,” she remarked. “You get good food, and it’s just a nice change of pace from Deerfield.”

Over the years, Sung has worked to reconcile the competitive and artistic aspects of music. “Music is mostly about competition, and once you reach a certain level, you need to show the public how good you are and confront how other people view you as a musician,” she explained. “For a long time, this competition caused a lot of anxiety for me, and I had a hard time practicing or listening to music because of that.”

Sung noted that her relationship with music has evolved, thanks in part to the support she received from Deerfield. “Having lessons with [Ensemble Coach and Music Lesson Instructor] Mr. Berner really helped me to love music again, apart from being acknowledged and getting compliments,” she said. “He taught me how to view music itself as a different thing from competition.” Sung also credited the Chamber Music program with broadening her perspective, acknowledging that, “Chamber definitely helped me by enlarging my musical spectrum. Last year, I tried playing viola for the first time in the chamber group, which really helped me understand the structure of music and the communication between different instruments.”

Sung’s dedication and skill have not gone unnoticed by members of the Deerfield community. Fellow violinist Naomi Kim ’28 said, “It impresses me how she makes so much sound—deep sound. Even in practice rooms, where sound doesn't resonate, [Sung]’s playing still sounds beautiful and full of emotion, even when she practices casually. I think this shows how much work she’s put into her playing over the years and how seriously she takes playing the instrument.”

Kim also described Sung’s leadership and presence in their chamber group. “[Sung] is so fun during chamber class and she always adds to the fun environment, but also completely focuses when we need to, leading our string quartet as the first violin.”

When asked about a memorable moment in her musical career, Sung recalled a concert in her sophomore year when a member of the audience began to cry while listening to her performance. “That feeling was very fulfilling,” she said, “to know that your own performance can impact someone on such a personal level really encouraged me.”

Looking toward the future, Sung spoke on her plan to pursue both music and psychology during her time in college. “I hope I can play music forever, because even if I’m not performing, it’ll always be an important part of who I am.”