November 30th, 3:05 pm

Thank you for featuring me!Hello, Monday!
This week we feature one of the world's leading classical pianists, who also happens to be our Artistic Advisor: Jon Kimura Parker! (Or Jackie, as we call him).

1. Do you now, or have ever played an instrument?
I studied violin as a 5-yr-old, and one day unwound the strings. When the bridge fell off I assumed I’d destroyed the instrument and so I tossed it in the trash. My parents retrieved it, but that was the day we all decided I should stick with the piano. 


2. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

I’ve already managed a few meals with rock stars and even Andy Warhol once. But now I would say Anthony Bourdain for sure. Such was his onscreen personality that I have to remind myself that I never actually ever met him. To hear him discuss food and culture, or food AS culture, in person, would have been amazing.

3. What is your favorite dessert?

Despite loving chocolate, I’ve always had a thing for lemon meringue pie. But I now make a berry cobbler that beats even that.


4. What’s the most interesting, unusual, surprising job you’ve had?

I’m not sure I’ve actually ever had anything that’s ever felt like a job. I guess, re-shelving merchandise at a drug store as a teenager maybe. The moment there’s room for creativity, it’s not a job.


5. What talent would you most like to have?

I wish I was insanely good at snooker. (I’m mediocre at best.) Or a whiz at calculus, which I regret not studying in high school. Or to speak Japanese. 


6. What’s the best advice you ever received from your parents?
They always encouraged me to see the long picture, which is very hard to do when you’re young. Also, my mom never failed to remind me to “slow down at the end of your piece” every time I was about to perform.


7. Where would you like to go that you’ve never been?

Antarctica. I want to play a concert there!


8. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

In Grade 1, our teacher asked us that question. Most of the boys made vague picks like ‘fireman’ or ‘hockey player’. I announced confidently that I would be a ‘concert pianist’, and honestly never really looked back.


9. What superpower do you wish you had?

Teleportation, definitely. Mind you, I’d be missing out on a lot of frequent flyer miles. Come to think of it, I’m already missing out on those this year. 


10. How did you become involved with OICMF?

I met Aloysia as an undergrad at The Juilliard School. After that, it was just inevitable! ... See MoreSee Less

November 17th, 6:26 pm

TEN Hamburg Steinways on one stage...quick, pick one! ... See MoreSee Less