Elaine Kwon
Pianist / Tae Kwon Do Champion
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
New York, NY USA
“I said I'm gonna really absolutely follow my heart, 'cause otherwise I'm going to feel sick inside.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationElaine Kwon
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Had a demanding father who just wanted her to succeed, pushed her, knew as a minority female, she'd have to work "doubly hard."
Started playing piano at age four.
Was set up to go to the University of Washington and study medicine when she "made a break."
Realized she didn't want to go into medicine, had a tough conversation with her father and "just left," went to study piano in Texas.
Says it was very important for her to get away from home, where she slipped back into old habits; says find yourself your own space.
At age 25, she found a new passion for taekwondo; said "whatever strikes me, I'm gonna try to explore."
Answered Nike ad calling for fitness models; went for it at age 37 even though they wanted ages 18-23; got the part; says "What's too old?"
Says "you can redefine what it means to be a woman at any age."
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Pianist / Tae Kwon Do Champion
I'm a prize-winning concert pianist, martial artist, fitness model, and a lecturer in music at MIT.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Acting & Theatre
Music
Being Creative
Interviewed By
Chicago - New York City
The team drives north to Chicago. They interview chef Homaru Cantu and go to a White Sox baseball game-a first for the Australians. Then they drive to Cleveland and interview Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The team drives east to New York City to visit with tattoo artist Eli Quinters and pianist and tae kwon do champion Elaine Kwon.
