Dr. Rachel Yunkyung Choo
Piano Faculty
Acclaimed by the critics to have a very strong technique and powerful tone, Pianist Rachel Yunkyung Choo has enchanted audiences as both a soloist and chamber musician. Dr. Choo made her U.S. debut at the Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center with the Juilliard Orchestra under maestro James Colon, and The New York Sun lauded her Lincoln Center debut as a “perfect” playing exhibited “a strong-handed air of confidence.” Her other recent performances have included solo recitals and chamber concerts in Washington, DC, New York City, New Brunswick, NJ, and Asia. Other engagements include a live performance on Cleveland’s WCLV Radio and New Jersey’s WWFM to appearances in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and National Gallery of Art in Washington.
A native of Seoul, Korea, Dr. Choo graduated from Yewon Middle School and the Seoul Arts High School where she studied with Choong Mo Kang. At the age of 12, Dr. Choo gave her debut public solo recital at the Kum-ho Arts Hall as part of the Prodigy Concert series. She has performed with numerous orchestras, including Korea National University of Arts Orchestra, Kang-nam Symphony Orchestra, TBC broadcasting Orchestra, Juilliard Orchestra, and Rutgers Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Choo has received many international awards from esteemed competitions in South Korea and U.S.
Dr. Choo holds doctorate degree in Piano Performance at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University under the tutelage of Min Kwon. Dr. Choo has completed her undergraduate and Master’s studies with Yoheved Kaplinsky and Matti Raekallio at the Juilliard School and Graduate Performance Diploma at the Peabody institute of The Johns Hopkins University with Yong Hi Moon.
An active chamber musician, Rachel is a member of piano ensemble "at65." Outside of stage, she currently holds a position as a lecturer at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.