Orchestra School

Harp：Jung Kwak

 

Harpist Jung Kwak, otherwise known as Harpist K, is recognized worldwide as one of classical music’s most captivating and gifted artists. She first astounded the music world at the age of 14, when after only two years of study, she debuted as a featured soloist with Seoul National Symphony. Since that debut, she has performed in the music capitals of Europe, America and Asia collaborating with the world’s leading orchestras and with the world’s most esteemed conductors.

When the Israel Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra toured Korea in 1993, Jung was chosen to perform as featured soloist. Her playing eventually caught the attention of Zubin Mehta, conductor and music director of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Since October 1997, Jung has toured extensively with Maestro Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra across Israel, Europe and the Far East. In the summer of 1998, Jung garnered the added distinction of becoming the first harpist to play at the Dubrovnik Festival in Croatia. Jung has appeared as a soloist with orchestras and chamber music ensembles around the world such as the Tokyo String Quartet, Israel Piano Quartet, Korean Broadcasting Symphony with Yoel Levi, Moscow Radio and Television Symphony –Tchaikovsky Hall , Geneva Chamber Orchestra, Prague Radio and TV Orchestra and many more. Jung is the only harpist in the world to be selected three times as the winner of ‘Focus on Youth’ award by the World Harp Congress.

A harpist of diverse accomplishments, Jung signed a seven CD recording contract with Atlantic records, one of the world’s largest recording labels. A rare deal not just for a harpist, but for any classical musician, the Atlantic contract gave Jung the necessary vehicle for her unique and diverse approach to her instrument. Her first release, sold out its first printings. She has since released several recordings ranged from core-classical works to contemporary music. Now Jung is with Universal Music and her first ‘new age pop-CD’ called , performing on a pink electric harp, designed by Jung and tailor made by Lyon and Healy Harps* quickly reached the Korean Charts for best-selling recordings.
Jung’s artistry is a mixture of the discipline and poise of classical background with a distinctively modernist spirit of invention and idiosyncrasy. Her uncommon ability to abridge the two effortlessly was demonstrated when Jung, using the nom de harpe Harpist K, made her Korean debut with Boston Pops Orchestra led by Keith Lockhart introducing two different kinds of electric harps to the Korean audience for the very first time. Fans of classical music were given a rare treat that night, for before them was not just another classical virtuoso in ascension, but someone who would go on to redefine the place of the harp in the popular imagination. Jung’s recent national tour entitled Surprise Party Series and ‘Love for You’ concert became a sensation, selling out concert halls attracting diverse crowd with her compelling and mesmerizing performance.

Jung is now reaching out to world wide audiences. In November of 2005, as Harpist K, Jung released her first electric harp album in Shanghai. The album sold over 23,000 copies, and she was invited as the opening artist for the 100th Anniversary Concert of China Music Festival which was held in Shanghai to represent Korea and Universal Music Records. In February of 2006, Harpist K’s second electric harp album was released in Korea. Within a few days of its release, reached ‘Number 1’ in the Korean Pop and Classical Album Charts, and Harpist K was invited back to Shanghai to give concert which aired live on TV as well as on radio all over China. Jung is also very active in Hong Kong. As the music director of Hong Kong Harp Ensemble, she has been invited to Hong Kong Harp Festival every year since 2006. The Japanese fans got their treat of Jung’s mesmerizing music at last in 2007. She astonished the Japanese audience and critics, performing with the world renowned Tokyo String Quartet. In 2008, Hong Kong Harp Festival enlarged its scale and changed its name to Asian Harp Festival. Jung is the co-founder of this prestigious music festival and she is also one of the board members of the organization.

Jung’s brilliant performance and charismatic presence have earned her popularity and acclaim that reach far beyond the concert halls. Jung has reached an even wider audience through her many television appearances, which she has taken the harp to the forefront of the contemporary music.

Jung received her Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University with world renowned Susan McDonald and the Master of Music degree at the renowned Eastman School of Music with Kathleen Bride. At both schools, she received the prestigious Performer’s Certificate for her outstanding harp performance with unanimous votes by the judges,

Jung Kwak is the first harpist in Asia that made her mark with a continuous exploration of all sides of the musical spectrum in concerts, recordings, teaching as well as creating a unique musical experience that is both classical and contemporary. Jung is one of the leading harp teachers of Korea. She is currently on the faculty of Ewha Womens University, Han Yang University, Choong Ang University, Yae Won Music, Art, & Dance Institute, Seoul Art High School, Sun Wha Middle and High School. She is also the Artistic Director for Harpyday Ensmble, a renowned Korean professional harp ensemble. Ms. Kwak is also on the board of the prestigious USA International Harp Competition since 2000.