Welcome to The UpWords Podcast, where we discuss the intersection of Christian faith in the academy, church, and marketplace. In today's episode, we are delighted to welcome painter and author Bruce Herman and Mia Chung-Yee — concert pianist, music professor, and executive director of the Octet Collaborative at MIT.

In this episode of the UpWords Podcast, hosts Daniel Johnson, Bruce Herman, and Mia Chung-Yee explore the profound connections between creativity, faith, and the arts. They discuss the legacy of composers like J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn, the personal journeys of the speakers in their artistic expressions, and the evolving role of music and art in spiritual and community life. The conversation emphasizes the importance of integrating art into worship and the discipline required in artistic practice, ultimately highlighting the shared human experience through creativity.

The speakers explore the intersection of faith, art, and academia, emphasizing the importance of grounding transcendence in reality. They discuss the role of discipline in worship and art, the challenges faced within the modern academy, and the tension between artistic expression and academic expectations. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to education that embraces both the arts and sciences, encouraging young artists to integrate their faith into their creative endeavors while remaining humble and committed to their craft.

Host:

• Daniel Johnson

Guests:

• Bruce Herman: Painter, writer, and speaker
• Mia Chung-Yee: Concert pianist, music professor, and executive director of the Octet Collaborative at MIT

Guest Backgrounds:

Mia Chung-Yee:

• Internationally known concert pianist
• Founder and executive director of the Octet Collaborative, a Christian Study Center at MIT
• Winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition (1993)
• Recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant (1997)
• Educational background: Bachelor's degree from Harvard College, Master's degree from Yale University, PhD from the Juilliard School
• Former Professor of Music and Artist in Residence at Gordon College (1991-2011)
• Current Professor of Musical Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music

Bruce Herman:

• Painter, writer, and speaker
• Art exhibited in over 150 national and international exhibitions
• Collections include the Vatican Museum of Modern Religious Art in Rome and various museums in the United States and Canada
• Nearly four decades of teaching at Gordon College, founding chair of the Art Department
• Educational background: BFA and MFA degrees from Boston University College of Fine Arts

Key Topics Discussed:

• The role of Christian faith in the arts and academia
• The intersection of faith and creativity in the marketplace
• Personal journeys and career highlights of Bruce Herman and Mia Chung-Yee
• Insights into the Octet Collaborative and its mission at MIT
• Reflections on the impact of faith on artistic expression and professional development
• The legacy of composers like J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn
• The evolving role of music and art in spiritual and community life
• The importance of integrating art into worship
• The discipline required in artistic practice
• The challenges faced within the modern academy
• The tension between artistic expression and academic expectations
• The need for a holistic approach to education that embraces both the arts and sciences
• Encouraging young artists to integrate their faith into their creative endeavors while remaining humble and committed to their craft

Notable Quotes:

• "We are made in the image of a maker."
• "Music is a vehicle for challenging me."
• "Art is a language of association."
• "Art should not be held back in worship."
• "God cared about this, right?"
• "We could miss that easily."
• "We do that with a spirit of love."
• "It's a choice to sacrifice."
• "I felt like a bit of a fraud."
• "We're meant to be makers."

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We hope you enjoy this episode of The UpWords Podcast! Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations at the intersection of faith and life.