Resident Wanda Paik & Her Community of Music Enthusiasts

Resident Wanda Paik’s Musical Journey

Regular live music performances are one of the joys of living at The Commons and many of the residents have impressive musical backgrounds themselves. One such resident is Wanda Paik.

Wanda’s musical journey began at a young age when her mother brought home a small pump organ for her to play. By the time she was seven, she had discovered the piano and was enrolled as a student in the prep school of the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Wanda went on to receive a full scholarship at Northwestern University, where she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance.

From Classical to Adventurous Repertoire

Wanda’s piano repertoire initially consisted of music by standard composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, Grieg and Mendelssohn. However, performing Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia, Op. 80, with the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra was one of the most important events in her musical life. Wanda shared that the composition’s “overwhelming depths and emotional heights made me aware of a new and personal gateway into feelings that have bonded me to music in ways that have stayed with me ever since.”

Wanda eventually felt the need to branch out into a more adventurous repertoire. She learned the Concerto in F by George Gershwin, which she performed with Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops. She studied Burlesque by Richard Strauss, which she performed with Erich Kunzel conducting. In addition, she learned and performed the Concerto in E flat by British composer John Gherman and Sergie Rachmaninoff’s Concerto in C minor.

Wanda’s musical achievements didn’t stop there. She also performed solo at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.; American embassies in Brazil and Trinidad; Yonsei University in South Korea; and many U.S. colleges and universities. She even released two CDs, “Piano Perennials” and “Romantic Classics,” which can be found on Amazon. Individual tracks can also be found on Apple Music and Spotify.

Supporting Local Live Music

Bringing her passion for music to her neighbors, Wanda has even performed a concert for fellow residents in our community’s Great Room.

Wanda Paik’s story is just one example of the extraordinary people who call The Commons home. Residents bring with them rich life experiences and passions are not only welcomed but encouraged to flourish, making every day an opportunity to learn, connect and continue doing what you love.