Performing Arts Committee
Jong Hoon Bae
As a conductor, Korean American Jong Hoon Bae brings a wealth of musical experience to the podium. Maestro Bae has established himself as one of the most sought-after conductors of today, in Korea and abroad. He has served as the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of Seocho Philoharmonia, the resident orchestra of the Seocho Cultural Foundation since 2016.
Maestro Bae has created a memorable presence as a conductor in opera productions and orchestral concerts at world-famous concert halls such as Royce Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlin Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, Germany, as well as Musik Verein Golden Hall in Vienna, Austria. In 2010, Bae founded and served as music director and conductor of the Korean National Military Symphony, which belongs to the Ministry of National Defense of Korea. He recently started an unprecedented long-term project to record and perform live broadcasts of all 107 Haydn symphonies. The project is schedule to be completed by 2025.
Another world class Korean conductor was born.
[Classical Music Magazine, Korea]
Mr. Bae’s performance was a major discovery.
Maestro Bae’s Tchaikovsky Symphony is another big discovery.
[St. Petersburg Weekly]
His conducting is world class. [Central Daily]
Bong Shin Ko
Bongshin Ko, hailed for her “most perfect playing” by the Internet Cello Society and noted for her “great warmth and beauty” according to The Strad, has captivated audiences worldwide. She has graced the stage as a soloist alongside esteemed orchestras including the Munich Chamber Players, Zagreb Philharmonic, TV & Radio Symphony of Moscow, KBS TV & Radio, and China National Philharmonic, among others.
Recipient of over 30 prestigious international prizes and awards, including the highest performance honor in her native Korea, Ms. Ko’s musical journey has taken her to renowned festivals across the globe. From the major cities of the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, to Monaco, Croatia, Poland, former Soviet Union nations, Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and New Zealand, her performances resonate with audiences worldwide.
Currently, as the President-elect of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) CA chapter, Ms. Ko imparts her wealth of knowledge as a cello professor at California State University, Fullerton. Additionally, she shares her expertise as exchange faculty at Kronberg Academy’s E. Feuermann Conservatory in Germany. Her influence extends even further, as a distinguished guest in masterclasses at prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School in New York, the Manheim Musikhochschule in Germany, Seoul National University in South Korea, the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK, and the Central Conservatory of Music in China.