Minsoek Kim Born in Seoul in South Korea in 1980, he studied Musicology and Ethnomusicology at Seoul University, specialising in Percussion Arts, particularly Middle East percussion. A great fan of Persian percussion, he moved to France to work with the Iranian master, Madjid Khaladj. He went on to become interested in work on movement and the rhythmic patterns that come from the spoken word This led him to begin a series of collaborations with dancers, singers and artists. During the years in which he studied with Madjid Khaladj, he also began exploring the art of improvisation with Persian rhythms. Minsoek Kim is now recognised as one of the rare Asian musicians who are a specialist in the Art of Iranian Percussion. "For more than 25 years I have had the pleasure and the privilege of passing on the heritage that my masters - in their turn - taught me through lessons that were exact and exacting. Despite the countless pupils I may have seen pass through my class, there are few I could accurately describe as truly gifted students. Minsoek Kim is one of them. A joyful presence, maturity, discipline, perseverance, punctuality and respect - just some of the qualities he possesses. He studied under me over a period of five years, coming to one lesson a week. He also attended virtually all the courses I gave during this period. He has lost none of his joy and vitality as he creates music from instruments "for eternity". Madjid Khaladj, spring 2014.