Miena Yoo has been singing and writing her own songs since she was 18 years old, but it was stomach cancer that prompted her to first perform publicly. As a patient at UCSF’s Mt. Zion Cancer Center in San Francisco, Yoo learned about a volunteer musician program that brings local artists to play music for patients and their families.
When she beat cancer after a year-long struggle that included rounds of chemotherapy, Yoo traded in her patient status for that of performer. Today, you’ll find Yoo performing at Mt. Zion Cancer Center, as well as Bay Area nursing homes, the Martinez veterans home, local festivals, cafes and private events. She also has a regular gig at the Cannery at Del Monte Square, where her deep, soulful voice provides a backdrop for the crowds of tourists who frequent the marketplace. Much like the folk greats of yesteryear, she eagerly travels anywhere she can to share her music with others.
A native of South Korea who immigrated to the United States 14 years ago, Yoo creates music that mixes Korean language, phrases and imagery with English. “When I sing in Korean it is my native language. It touches my heart and I see more the experiences of my memories that I had when I was little. It brings … more emotional feelings when I sing,” she explains to Spark.
In 2006, Yoo released the album “At the River Again,” which touches on her childhood in Korea, her family members and natural themes like wildlife, trees and water. Her folk-driven sound carries obvious influence from Korean performers like Hee Eun Yang — famous in the 1960s and 70s — and American songstresses Lucinda Williams and Tracy Chapman.
In the midst of a busy playing schedule and work on her album, Yoo remains focused on giving back to the surrounding community. Along with offering her time and music to ill and elderly Bay Area residents, Yoo plans to donate all proceeds from heralbum to stray animal rescue efforts.
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