Many people are helping to realize the Ureuk World Music House.
Cybele, a musician originally from New York, is the founding force, and owner, of the Ureuk World Music House. Known as Professor AnnA, Cybele is currently teaching English at Chungju's Korean National University of Transportation (KNUT). Studying and performing music from NYC to India, with 27 countries in between, she has felt the deep impact of experiencing traditional music in traditional settings.Cybele is a classically trained singer, as well as a jazz/pop influenced singer-songwriter. Cybele has performed throughout the world, and has been studying world music for over 20 years; including 15 winters of musical immersion in India and Pakistan where she studied North Indian Classical singing and sarangi (a magical 29-string violin). Cybele has studied the basics of several Korean traditional instruments including the hour-glass chang-gu drum 장구, 12-string zither kayagum 가야금, and 8-string bowed zither ajaeng 아쟁.
Choi, Ki-Soon, is a wildlife filmmaker, photographer, and professor of Video, Media, and Journalism. Mr. Choi has been instrumental in assisting various aspects of the project, from hosting concerts to wielding hammers, to film projects. He has opened his "Cardon" Ecological Art Center in Hongcheon called "I am a Forest" to host several fundraising concerts, and donated the sales of his fine art photographs to the project.
Kang, Sang-Woo, the former director of the city-run Chungju Ureuk Orchestra, music historian, and master of daegum (Korean transverse bamboo flute), is a supportive figure in the realization of the project. Mr. Kang was filmed playing daegeum in a short documentary interview before the restoration of the house.
Kim, Ju-Eun is a graduate of Chungju University and a local English teacher. Ju-Eun was the Assistant Project Manager and interpreter, during the early stages of the project research and development. Her tireless help and bright spirit was a leading force towards the manifestation of the Ureuk World Music House.
Lee, Du-Won, professor of Linguistics at the Korean National University of Transportation, has been instrumental in promoting and gathering support for the project. Additionally, he has acted as a liaison and interpreter for high level meetings with the city and local sponsors.
Seong, Gi-Mun, professor of Architecture at KNUT, has been an on-going advisor for architectural aspects of the restoration process. Additionally, he has been a liaison for collaboration with KNUT, allowing students the opportunity to engage their skills in practical architectural restoration experience.
Euom, Da-Eun, installation artist and hanok scholar, was the first artist to do an installation and collaborative art/dance/music project in the house. Additionally, as a cherished bi-lingual affiliate, she has helped with endless translations related to interviews, publications, and events.
