SOHYUN KO

SoHyun Ko is currently studying at Manhattan School of Music with Pinchas Zukerman and Patinka Kopec. She has been invited by the Stiftung Mozarteum to perform on Mozart’s original violin. She made her debut with Pinchas Zukerman and performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Having won numerous first prizes in Korean competitions, she received 1st prize at the Adelphi Orchestra’s 16th Annual Young Artist Competition. She was invited to perform in “The Call to Unite,” a COVID-19 relief benefit concert that featured figures such as President George W. Bush, Quincy Jones, and Yo-Yo Ma. She has performed at major venues including Lotte Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Merkin Hall in NYC, Cadogan Hall in London, collaborating with artists and ensembles such as Pinchas Zukerman, Christopher Poppen, the Borromeo Quartet, and NYPS.

1. Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize you wanted to become a musician?

When I was eight years old, I was invited to Salzburg and performed on the violin that Mozart used as a child. I practiced for hours in the very room where he lived, using the instrument that had once felt his touch. It was a surreal experience because even after hundreds of years, it felt as if his breath and the energy of his music were still alive and reaching out to me. That moment was when I first knew I wanted to walk the path of music for the rest of my life.

2. When you perform, what do you hope to communicate or make the audience feel?

There is a moment I still carry in my heart. When I was twelve, I performed at a summer festival, and an old lady sitting in the front row began to cry while listening with a warm smile. I will never forget the look in her eyes or the warmth we shared. Since then, I have been sure of my purpose on stage: if my music can bring joy and comfort to someone’s heart, that is why I continue to make music.

3. If you had to present yourself by playing a single piece from the entire repertoire, which one would you choose, and why?

Corigliano’s Violin Sonata feels closest to who I am. It is bright, optimistic, and filled with strong energy that pushes me to take on challenges. Sometimes humorous, sometimes deeply serious, it reflects how I pursue my goals with dedication. I especially love the smooth, harmonious flow that connects each movement, much like how I naturally find strengths in others and build lasting relationships. Perhaps that is why this piece expresses me better than any other.