Pyongyang citizens affectionately call Kyongsang Kindergarten on Changjon Street a “cradle of musical prodigies.”
The kindergarten was inaugurated in April 1954 as an educational institution for the children of pre-school age in the Kyongsang-dong area and has a comparatively long history in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In late 1970s it became engaged in the early art education of the children in Pyongyang according to the state measures.
Kyongsang Kindergarten is provided with excellent conditions for early musical education as well as general education for children. It has scores of rooms for teaching Korean alphabet, counting and various musical instruments. Many of its teachers are graduates from art universities.The teachers, whose merits are the abilities to discover the potential aptitudes of children from their playing and mischief, which even their parents fail to do, attach top priority to selecting from nursery children in Pyongyang those with musical aptitudes. They unanimously say that a priority should be paid to the inborn nature in nurturing prodigies.
The selected children who pass expert examination may choose to learn one among six musical instruments, including piano, cello, violin and guitar, according to their likings and parental desires.
Since then each child is tutored by four teachers—in general education, a specific musical instrument, rhythmic movements, and sound detection and sight reading respectively.
The teachers are always among the children to observe their dispositions, psychology, aptitudes and the level of intellectual development, and create most reasonable teaching methods and manufacture a lot of teaching aids.
Thanks to their efforts, Sinbigyong , an education support application for intellectual development of the preschoolers, was developed and introduced to the kindergartens across the country.
In 2018 they developed Chinhandongmu (close friend), an e-textbook for kindergarteners, which is agreeable to the developing trend of modern education, pedagogical requirements and mentality of children.
Under the instruction of the teachers with rich teaching experience and profound knowledge children are brought up into little musicians in the two-year kindergarten period.
The head of a music school in Stockholm, Sweden, was greatly impressed by the kindergarten, describing the visit to it as an exciting moment and praising it as a world-class music kindergarten.
In the past decades Kyongsang Kindergarten produced a lot of musical prodigies, including Ma Sin A, Choe JangHung, Yu Pyol Mi, Han Su Ryo, Hong Su Ryon and Jo Mi Rae, who won special and top prizes at international piano contests.
Young prodigies from the kindergarten staged an oungum (a Korean musical instrument) trio at the 15th Moscow Meets Friends International Festival held in Russia in October 2018, winning applause of the audience. An oungum quartet performed by the kindergarten children caused another great sensation at the 16th Moscow festival the following year.
Kim Ji Won, when he won a prize at the Third Vladimir Krainev Moscow International Piano Competition held in Russia in March 2019, was studying at Pyongyang Music School No. 1 of Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun University of Music after having graduated from the Kyongsang Kindergarten.
More From Naenara (En)
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
July 02, 2025
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
July 02, 2025
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga
July 02, 2025
Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga
The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen
July 02, 2025
The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
July 02, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
July 01, 2025
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
July 01, 2025
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
July 01, 2025
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
July 01, 2025
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
June 30, 2025
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
June 30, 2025
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
June 30, 2025
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
June 30, 2025
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
June 29, 2025
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
June 29, 2025
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
The Electric Power Industry Research Institute under the Ministry of Electric Power Industry has made a progress in the effort to
June 29, 2025
The Electric Power Industry Research Institute under the Ministry of Electric Power Industry has made a progress in the effort to
The Musan Mining Complex is putting spurs to the iron ore concentrate production. Its output of ore concentrate has risen by 20
June 28, 2025
The Musan Mining Complex is putting spurs to the iron ore concentrate production. Its output of ore concentrate has risen by 20
Among Korea’s traditional therapies is a combination of smoking and steaming. Koreans have long used Ephedra sinica ,
June 28, 2025
Among Korea’s traditional therapies is a combination of smoking and steaming. Koreans have long used Ephedra sinica ,
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on June 23 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic DPRK-Russia
June 28, 2025
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on June 23 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic DPRK-Russia
In early January last year there held a consultative meeting, which brought together teachers of the table tennis department at
June 28, 2025
In early January last year there held a consultative meeting, which brought together teachers of the table tennis department at
More Articles