Kyungjoo Chae 채경주
Kyungjoo Chae was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. She majored in instrumental music (piano) at Seoul National University. She holds a master's degree and a doctorate degree in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California. She taught piano performance and chamber music at Hanyang University and Myongji University in Korea. She also continued to privately teach students in the U.S. as a member of the Music Teacher’s Association of California (MTAC), a member of the Southern Youth Music Festival (SYMF), and a judge of their music competitions. As a music director, she gathered precollege students applying for music colleges and held annual concerts at convalescent homes for the elderly in addition to charity concerts for the homeless. In recognition of her outstanding service in the community, she received an award from former President Barack Obama. As a professor of Sungshin Women’s University, she taught piano performance for many years until her recent return to the U.S. where she is currently lecturing at the Classical Music Institute as a visiting professor. During her years as a performer, she has been the recipient of many prominent awards. After placing 1st in the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Audition, she performed with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, one of Korea’s oldest and most esteemed orchestras. In addition, she performed with the Yongin Philharmonic Orchestra multiple times throughout her performing career. She performed at major music venues in Korea and the U.S. like the Seoul Arts Center, Keumho Art Hall, Sejong Chamber Hall, Colburn School's Zipper Hall, and Thayer Hall for her solo recitals. She has not only performed in numerous solo concerts but also in joint and chamber concerts in Korea and the U.S. Among her many recital appearances, her first performance of Holon Matthew’s piano works in Korea took place at Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall in 1993. As a performer, she has been acclaimed as a “very sensitive performer and a pianist who has her own musical personality.” Currently, she is continuing to focus on her performing and teaching careers in Korea and the U.S.
KyungJoo Chae
213-819-3700 ǀ kjcpiano@gmail.com
EDUCATION
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Performance November 1993
Minor: Music History, Church Music, and Harpsichord
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Master of Music, Piano Performance May 1989
Seoul National University Seoul, Korea
Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance February 1985
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Sungshin Women’s University Seoul, Korea
Instructor, Composition (Musicology) March 2020 - 2022
· Taught major core courses and major requirement courses for Musicology majors
· Organized annual department recitals, studio recitals, and graduation recitals for students
· Prepared students for all recitals, including annual department recitals
· Developed lesson plans and instructional materials for students
· Evaluated students’ performances and assignments
Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
Visiting Professor, Piano 2015 - Present
· Provided lectures on the lives of composers and key characteristics of their music
· Worked with faculty members to develop and review course curriculum
Sungshin Women’s University Seoul, Korea
Assistant Professor, Composition (Musicology) 2015 - February 2020
· Taught major core courses and major requirement courses for Musicology majors
· Organized annual piano recitals and graduation for students
· Developed course curriculum and instructional materials for students
· Collaborated with other faculty members to review and refine course curriculums
· Evaluated students’ performances and assignments
· Assisted in student audition and admission procedures
Piano Teacher Seoul, Korea & Los Angeles, CA
1981- 2014
· Taught piano students at all levels
· Prepared pre-college students for admissions into universities as piano performance majors
· Prepared students for statewide piano competitions
· Organized monthly piano recitals for students
· Organized charity piano recitals and involved students to perform at local convalescent homes and soup kitchens
Myongji University Seoul, Korea
Instructor, Piano 1995 - 1997
· Taught introductory and advanced major requirement courses for Piano majors
Royal Conservatory Seoul, Korea
Instructor, Piano 1994 - 1997
· Instructed piano students of all levels
· Prepared pre-college students for admissions into music colleges
Hanyang University Seoul, Korea
Instructor, Piano 1994 - 1997
· Taught major core courses and advanced major studies for Piano majors
· Taught courses in Chamber Music (piano duo)
· Coached student chamber music ensembles
Catholic Conservatory Seoul, Korea
Instructor, Piano 1994 - 1997
· Instructed piano students at all levels
· Prepared pre-college students for admissions into music colleges
Korean-American Association of Arts Los Angeles, CA
Instructor, Piano 1992 - 1993
· Instructed piano students at all levels
· Prepared pre-college students for admissions into music colleges
COMPETITION JUDGE
Sungshin Women University Piano Concerto Competition 2015 - 2020
Judge
Southwestern Youth Music Festival 2000 - 2001
Judge
Han Yang University Piano Competition 1995 - 1997
Judge
Won Myung Piano Competition 1996
Judge
Catholic Conservatory Piano Competition 1994
Judge
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
Korea-Times Newspaper Piano Competition Seoul, Korea
Second Prize 1981
Ye-won Arts & Music School Competition Seoul, Korea
Third Prize 1976
Seoul City Orchestra Competition Seoul, Korea
Finalist 1976
AWARDS
President Barack Obama Active Lifestyle Award March 10, 2015
PIANO SOLO RECITAL
Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Seoul, Korea
December 6, 2019
Recital Hall of Seoul Arts Center Seoul, Korea
December 19, 2018
Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Seoul, Korea
November 5, 2017
Donald Wright Auditorium Pasadena, CA
August 12, 2017
Kumho Art Hall Seoul, Korea
December 6, 2015
Glendale Library Auditorium Glendale, CA
September 7, 2013
Donald Wright Auditorium Pasadena, CA
May 19, 2012
Brand Library Recital Hall Glendale, CA
May 30, 2009
Recital Hall of Seoul Arts Center Seoul, Korea
December 2, 1993
ENSEMBLE
Concert Hall, Kook-min University Seoul, Korea
Nov 27, 2018
IBK Hall of Seoul Arts Center Seoul, Korea
May 9,2016
Donald Wright Auditorium Pasadena, CA
September 15, 2012
Thayer Hall, Colburn School Los Angeles, CA
June 5, 2010
Zipper Hall, Colburn School Los Angeles, CA
February 8, 2003
Zipper Hall, Colburn School Los Angeles, CA
Mar 25, 2000
Auditorium, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
April 27, 1998
Recital Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Seoul, Korea
October 23, 1995
Catholic Conservatory Auditorium Seoul, Korea
July 1, 1994
PERFORMANCES WITH ORCHESTRA
Yongin Philharmonic Orchestra Yongin, Korea
September 16, 2014
Yongin Philharmonic Orchestra Yongin, Korea
July 24, 2014
Seoul City Orchestra Seoul, Korea
November 20, 1976
LECTURE RECITALS
“Schubert’s Piano Music,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
February 22, 2020
“Keyboard Music of Johann Sebastian Bach,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
February 2, 2019
“Mozart Piano Music,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
February 3, 2018
“Chopin’s Piano Concerto,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
February 18, 2017
“Beethoven’s Piano Sonata,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
July 2, 2016
“Schumann’s Piano Music,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
July 11, 2015
“A Performer’s Preparation and Backstory,” Classical Music Institute Buena Park, CA
February 14, 2015
“Spain Composer, Joaquin Turina,” Chopin Hall Seoul, Korea
June 14, 1996
“Joaquin Turina: Neglected Spanish Nationalist,” University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
February 26, 1992
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Woori Broadcasting Charity Concert for the Homeless 2013
Guest Performer/Pianist
South Bay Women’s Choir 2012 - 2015
Accompanist
Logos Women’s Choir 2010 - 2015
Accompanist
Logos Church 2009 - 2015
Accompanist
Glory Church of Jesus Christ 2000 - 2007
Accompanist
Charity Piano Recitals & Fundraisers 2000 - 2015
Organizer/Pianist
· Organized charity piano recitals with students at local convalescent homes and soup kitchens
· Prepared chamber music ensembles to perform at recitals and fundraisers
· Recruited other performers to perform at recitals and fundraisers
· Organized fundraisers with students to donate essential items to the homeless