Jihong Park

Jihong Park, D.M.A., has always displayed a remarkable musical talent. Since childhood, he has collaborated with various musicians. Born in South Korea, Dr. Park commenced his piano journey at the age of seven. Initially self-taught, he formally began his training at 17 under a piano teacher in South Korea. In 1995, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance at Chung-Ang University. As a highly accomplished pianist known for the emotional depth of his performances, Dr. Park has earned numerous awards and accolades in piano competitions across countries. He reached the final stage of the American Prize Competition and secured second place in various Korean piano competitions, including the Korean Youth Piano Competition, the Chang-won University Piano Competition, and the Chon-nam Piano Competition. His musical prowess earned him a full undergraduate scholarship for piano performance.

In his role as a chamber musician, Dr. Park participated in the Chamber Music Institute at the University of Nebraska, where he received a full fellowship to collaborate with esteemed musicians. His performances have graced national and international venues, including the Gyeongnam Culture & Art Center in South Korea, the Steinway Gallery, Clarke Recital Hall in Miami, Isidor Bajic Music Academy in Serbia, Evangelical Covenant Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in New Hampshire, and the Clarice Performing Arts Center in Maryland.

Dr. Park completed his doctoral degree in the collaborative piano program at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is currently serving as a collaborative pianist at Luzerne Music Center and Festival in New York, Nova Southeastern University, and Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. His contributions extend to the Palm Beach Symphony in West Palm Beach and the New World Symphony in Miami. Certified by the Music Teachers National Association, Dr. Park has received notable recognitions, including the 2017 Piano Technician Guild Scholarship, the 2022 UMD Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, Summer Fellowship, and the 2022 Broward Cultural Division Artist Support Grant. He co-founded and serves as the artistic director of the Las Olas Chamber Ensemble and holds the position of artist-in-residence at Sunshine Cathedral, where he annually organizes a chamber music series.

Throughout his musical journey, Dr. Park has benefitted from the mentorship of renowned pianists and pedagogues, including Rita Sloan and Judith Burganger.