Bio
The work of pianist and composer Jiyoun Chung has garnered numerous distinctions and awards and is frequently featured at international festivals and concerts. As a Korean American composer, her works reflect her identity, with a strong interest in integrating diverse cultural influences. She draws inspiration from East Asian culture and religion, spanning both traditional and contemporary elements, as well as from a wide array of musical styles and genres, including K-pop, jazz, and hip-hop. At times, she directly incorporates musical elements from original sources; other times, she blends their musical languages with Western styles. Additionally, East Asian philosophies and religious concepts often serve as the framework for her compositional process and structure. She believes these efforts contribute to expanding the range of available musical languages and creating richer, more diverse musical experiences for audiences.
Jiyoun is also a passionate advocate for using music as a force for good, often writing pieces that promote equity and the restoration of justice. Many of her works are composed to address pressing social issues, raising awareness of topics such as climate change and pollution, gun violence, war, suicide as a societal crisis, and hate crimes against the Asian American community. Through these pieces, she aims to convey messages that inspire audiences to advocate for marginalized voices and contribute to societal change.