Soundscapes of France: A Violin and Piano Duo recital
Enjoy the richness and emotional nuance of French music on this concert performed by guest artist Jieun Yook, violin, and CSU faculty artist Hyeji Seo, piano. The program includes the expressive lyricism of Lili Boulanger, the passionate depth of César Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, and the vibrant rhythm and elegance of Maurice Ravel’s Violin and Piano Sonata No. 2. Together, these works offer a colorful and evocative journey through France’s musical landscape, brought to life through the intimate collaboration of violin and piano.
Dr. Ji Eun Yook, born in South Korea, a Prize winner of the National Competition of Music Association in Daejeon, the Busan National University of Education, the National Competition by Korean-German Brahms Association, and got 1st prize at the American Protégé International Piano and String Competition. Also, she made many appearances as a soloist with a number of orchestras including Seoul Wind Ensemble, Cheongju Philharmonic Orchestra, Euro Sinfonietta Wien, Budapest Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Kharkiv Philharmonic Orchestra, Academie Lyrique Concert Symphonique series, the National Chamber Orchestra of Kiev, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and Masan Symphony Orchestra. Also, she has appeared in solo recitals at the Seoul Arts Center, Kumho Arts Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and Cheongju Arts Hall in Korea. Dr. Yook studied violin at Sunhwa Arts School and Seoul Arts High School. She received her B.M. (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Houston with full scholarships, M.M. in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from the Northwestern University with School of Music Eckstein Fund. Later, Dr. Yook received her Doctorate from the Michigan State University to present her dissertation, “Analysis of Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 1 and No. 2 for Violin and Piano, and Sonata for Solo Violin in Context of the Socialist Realism.” She awarded Johnson Coleman Endowed Memorial Scholarship, Spencer and Eleanore Maure Memorial Scholarship in Violin, and Alexander Schuster Principal Violinist. Dr. Yook also obtained another M.M. in Music Theory at the Michigan State University with Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
Dr. Yook has been an assistant professor at Gangneung-Wonju National University in Korea, and a director of StrOpus Ensemble. Also, she is currently a member of Korean Chamber Orchestra.
Hyeji Seo, a Korean-born pianist, has been praised for her cantabile lyricism and sincere, passionate musicality. As a versatile artist, she excels both as a soloist and a collaborative pianist, captivating audiences across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
As an active presenter and performer, regularly sharing her work at national and international events. She has earned international acclaim, winning first prizes in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, the International Music Competition ‘Brussels’ Grand Prize Virtuoso, and the International Piano Association Competition. She was also recognized at the Ise-Shima International Piano Competition in Japan and the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition in the U.S. Seo has served as an adjudicator for the MTNA Colorado Competition and the International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festival.
Seo has appeared as a soloist with orchestras at Seoul National University, Sookmyung Women’s University, and Western Illinois University as a competition winner. She was featured at the Piano Gala Concert for the 110th Anniversary of Sookmyung Women’s University and has performed in the Triumph Music Festival Gala Concert, the EOULIM Concert Series, and the Young Artist Debut Concert in Seoul, sponsored by Music Education News.
Seo holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and a Master’s in Collaborative Piano from Michigan State University, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Sookmyung Women’s University and Western Illinois University. She was supported throughout her studies by prestigious scholarships and assistantships, including the Ralph Votapek Scholarship and the Dixon Collaborative Pianist Award.
Currently, Seo serves as assistant professor of Practice in Collaborative Piano Faculty at the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Colorado State University, where she teaches class piano and chamber music while continuing to inspire students and audiences through her artistry, teaching, and advocacy for inclusive, meaningful music-making.
