Music bonds us together. More than a hundred students from diverse backgrounds participate in IVI Giving Ambassador Ms. Sang Hee Lee’s benefit concerts for IVI every year. Having such a diverse group of musicians, ranging from elementary to college students and to a 90-year-old senior citizen, perform on stage is not always an easy task to handle.

Here are five students who help behind the scenes to make the concerts happen harmoniously and seamlessly. For these students, preparation usually starts months before the actual event. Students start practicing music in the repertoire and/or provide support in PR, logistics and other activities, preparing materials including posters and certificates needed for the concert. On the day of the event, they take the stage clad in uniform and their best suits to perform their flutes, violins, violas, and more.

IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim met with several high school students and Ms. Lee via Zoom to learn what made them devote their time and efforts during school hours and how they have contributed to present a beautiful benefit concert and make every event a great success.

Junwon (David) Hong

Junwon (David) is the Viola Leader and has been performing in the concert for four years now.

Hello, my name is Junwon Hong. I’m a Giving Messenger of the International Vaccine Institute. I’m currently a junior in high school and this is my fourth year participating as a member of IVI-Lee Sanghee and Friends Orchestra. Firstly, I want to thank the IVI for providing me such a worthwhile opportunity that we do not normally get. The events including all the previous concerts and today’s meeting are extremely meaningful to all participants and the fact that we’re all working for one vision which is making our world a healthier place to live. I also want to thank our teacher Mrs. Sang Lee for brilliantly leading our orchestra and spreading hope to people around the world through beautiful music.

As a volunteer for IVI, I was able to contribute in multiple ways. The most special event for me was participating as a Giving Messenger in this 2021 summer IVI concert. I never knew I would be able to take such a crucial role in promoting the SAM donation campaign, which is the main campaign for IVI for children around the world who are currently suffering from diseases like Cholera. I felt rewarded and was happy that I could provide at least a small help that can lead to more donations for this campaign. Remembering the good experiences, I will do my best for all the upcoming events starting from IVI 2021 winter concert. I truly hope that with each of the volunteers’ small contributions, IVI can have an easier and faster process of executing new plans that can positively impact the world. Again, I appreciate all the amazing opportunities and I will not take these for granted.

Hayoon Kim

Hayoon is the Flute Leader and has been performing in the concert for four years now.

Hello, my name is Hayoon Kim and I’m a Giving Messenger of the Lee Sanghee and Friends Orchestra. It has been a very meaningful experience to me to participate in the orchestra because I could participate in a project that helps a lot of people who don’t have vaccines and give them the opportunity to be healthy. This year has been a very unique year to perform a concert because all the wind instrument players had to record their performance through video and then participate virtually in this orchestra. I was a bit worried at first, because it was my first time recording my performance. However, through a lot of people’s effort and a lot of support from Mrs. Lee Sanghee, I could be confident in myself and perform very well in this orchestra. Also, despite the fact that everyone had to wear masks due to the Coronavirus and there were many limits, everybody worked hard to make a successful orchestra happen again and I could also learn leadership skills.

This year marks the fourth year since I participated in the Lee Sanghee and Friends Orchestra. I hope I can continue to proceed with this great opportunity in the future.

Hajoon Kim

Hajoon is the Violin 1^st Solo and has been performing in the concert for four years now.

Hello, my name is Hajoon Kim and I’m currently a junior in high school. I really appreciate this opportunity as an orchestra member to be part of helping the world to be improved, with better health situations around the globe. I think people are starting to learn more about the vaccines, as the Coronavirus is spreading around very rapidly. But there are still many people who suffer from diseases similar to the Coronavirus, and some of these diseases are even more severe than the Coronavirus. Therefore, I am really grateful to be a part of “spreading the word” and helping people to know about these kinds of diseases and vaccines, which will make the world a better place. Helping people learn about these diseases will eventually make the situation better for other diseases besides the Coronavirus, and more people will be healthier. This is my fourth year as an orchestra member, and I am thankful to be part of this opportunity. I’m really excited for the 2021 winter concert, and excited for such continuing concerts.

Sinyoung Kang

Sinyoung is the Violin 2^nd Solo and has been performing in the concert for four years now.

Hello, my name is Sinyoung Kang, and I am a Giving Messenger in the Lee Sanghee and Friends Orchestra. Currently I’m in my second year of high school which might be one of the hardest and busiest year as a Korean student. And because of this, I didn’t really have any time to think about the whole vaccine situation, the Coronavirus situation and didn’t really have any awareness of the people who live far away who are suffering from many diseases and who really needed our help. And also, I didn’t think I could ever really help them by providing support.

However, working with IVI opened up my eyes in many ways. I believe people are contemporarily focused on developing vaccines and carrying out vaccinations and treatments of the Coronavirus. But to be honest, I couldn’t really feel the process in reality my bones. But after I performed in the orchestra, made donation for the vaccines of various viruses and diseases and helped with this internship with many different people, I now realize that I can actually be part in saving people and I was grateful that I could participate in this meaningful process. To sum all this up, my experience with the International Vaccine Institute has made me realize so many meaningful things, and I want to thank everybody for making this event possible for me.

Ashley Seo

Ashley performs the violin and has been performing in the concert for three years now.

Hello, my name is Ashley, and I’m a Giving Messenger at Lee Sanghee’s recital at IVI. During this summer I was given a wonderful and meaningful opportunity to provide support for IVI. At first I was rather anxious and a little nervous because I was unsure if I could take the role at such a significant institute, especially at the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after I learned how we can provide help, I was very motivated to do so and through this opportunity, I was able to learn how to communicate effectively and efficiently, and how to hold responsibility of vital roles, not only for personal improvement but for the public purpose. I was awed at the amount of people that were supporting IVI to create a healthier world and save the daily lives of many other people in the world. I’m incredibly grateful for all that the volunteer activity has taught me and I’m so happy to become a part of the IVI supporting community. Thank you so much.