SPOTLIGHT ON... Kari Yip Our new SWO Communications Officer

I believe you were born and educated in Hong Kong. Was music important to you as a child and what were your family’s expectations of your success?

Although I was born into a non-musical family, music was very important to me as a child. I started piano aged four and soon discovered I had perfect pitch. I attained Grade 8 Piano at the age of eight.

What inspired you to start learning the organ, and how did you search for a teacher?

Before I moved to the UK, I asked a friend who played the organ if she could give me a few introduction lessons. I was already ambitious to move to the UK, imagining myself working with church choirs; my friend gave me the start I needed.

Why were you ambitious to move to the UK?

After my solo piano debut, aged 13, in Hong Kong, I found I loved performing and wanted more performance opportunities. A year later I gained a place at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester as a first study pianist and second study violinist. A year later I moved to St. Bede’s College where I was taught by Elin Rees. At 15 I gave a solo piano recital at the Bechstein Centre Manchester. For my A-level studies, I changed schools again, studying at Xaverian College, a sixth form college in Manchester. I played in the Xaverian Orchestra and a highlight for me was when the Xaverian Orchestra played in the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Meanwhile, I was a student at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, where I studied organ with Simon Mercer. My musical opportunities continued to flourish: Simon arranged for me to perform in Leeds Cathedral and Chesterfield Parish Church, and, under his tuition, I attained ATCL Organ last year.

Even now that I am in London, Manchester remains important to me. This summer I returned as a guest musician to Xaverian College, where I founded and performed in a folk piano trio, sang in Xaverian College Choir, and played in Xaverian College Orchestra.

What were the driving forces in your progress as an organist? Have your ambitions changed over the years?

In those early days, I only wanted to be organist of a church or cathedral, and I was also keen to know more about the structure of the organ. But now I want to work as both a church organist and touring concert organist around Europe.

What came next for you after leaving school, and what prompted your choices?

Despite getting offers from Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Leeds Conservatoire, I decided to do Bachelor of Music at King’s College London (KCL) because I wanted to experience university life and the academic aspect, as well as external language modules. At King’s I was elected as Vice President of KCL Media Club, Social Media Manager of King’s Languages Society, and Communications Secretary of KCL Jazz Society, in which I played violin in the orchestra and sang soprano in the chorus. I have also been contributing to The King’s Tab, an online media platform covering youth culture and entertainment, as a staff writer since March 2026. King’s Volunteering provided me the opportunity to help as a live music events steward in Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Paddington. The King’s Faculty of Arts & Humanities also asked me to be a Bachelor of Music peer mentor. So I have plenty going on!

What is your ambition now?

I now have two ambitions. I would like to work in a church as an organist and/or music director. I would also like to work as a music journalist reviewing different music genres and attending more live concerts or gigs collaborating with photographers.

Thank you for taking the role of SWO Communications Officer. How and why did you develop an interest and expertise in communications?

I became interested in journalism while at primary school, when I started working with a team of journalists at MPS Post, an extra-curricular activity at Maryknoll Convent School; I found that I enjoyed writing features and interviewing people. At age 13 I started learning German and found inspiration in professional photos, stories, and reels by German user-generated content creators. They had great websites, full of creativity. Since then, I gained more experience at The King’s Tab. I’ve continued to build my skills, exploring technology to make marketing as powerful as possible. After my undergraduate studies, I am planning to do a Master’s programme in Marketing.

How do you find time to develop your skills in marketing and writing? You sound very busy!

I always seem to find time for the things I enjoy doing, like writing! I practise my organ repertoire on the piano on the days I do not have access to the organ, and once or twice per week I go to a church to practise my pieces.

I am passionate about European languages, too. I develop my skills with an app called Duolingo and other online grammatical and vocabulary resources. But I also try to interact with native speakers of my targetted languages as often as possible and to apply my knowledge to any lyrics and musical expressions on the sheet music.

What made you join SWO?

I joined Society of Women Organists, as I would like to connect with other organists including female organists around the world.

That’s good to know, and we look forward to your help in cementing contacts with our many members and partner organisations around the world.

Have any women inspired you to set your ambitions high – both as a player and as a communicator?

Anna Lapwood immediately comes to mind, as she has technology skills (she designed the first SWO website!), is expert in promotion through social media and she supports female organists. Like her, I want to combine a career as a musician with success in communications and social media looking at a high reach and engagement rate, creating trial reels and posters to attract a wider range of audience who might be interested in the field, and breaking into the Culture, Media and Creative Industries to comment on live performances.

Kari, I am sure everyone wishes you the greatest success with all your activities, both in music and communications, and it was a pleasure to hear about your life and work!