Welcome to Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts (BAKTA)!
보스턴 한국전통예술원에 오신 것을 환영합니다!
Fall 2025 Registration Opens in September!
See the “Registration Info” link below for details.
Faculty & Classes
Our dedicated instructors bring their unique expertise and passion to independently creating and leading their own classes and performances at the semester-end showcase.
Kyungsun Kim (김경선)
Gayageum Instructor
Korean zither
Kyungsun Kim teaches traditional Korean music at the Korean School of New England in Newton. She earned her B.M. degree in traditional Korean Music (Gayageum Performance) as well as her M.Ed. degree in Music Education from Seoul National University in Korea.
Gayageum Class InfoYoona Kim (김유나)
Ajaeng Instructor
Korean bowed zither
Gagok is a genre of traditional Korean vocal music sung by men and women to the accompaniment of a small orchestra. Yoona Kim was Artistic Director of Modern Gagok from 2016 until 2022, a group dedicated to creating contemporary stories through Korean sounds. She received her B.M. degree in Ajaeng Performance from the Seoul National University in Korea, and is enrolled in the M.M. program of Contemporary Improvisation at New England Conservatory.
Ajaeng Class Info Yoona Kim WebsiteJennifer Chung (정재니)
Haegeum Instructor
Two-stringed vertical fiddle
Jennifer graduated from National High School of Traditional Korean Arts, Seoul Arts-Occupational Training College, and the University of Suwon. She was a member of ‘Snowing Map’ band in NJ, which was established in honor of Dong-ju Yun, a poet who tragically died early at 27 in for independence movements from the Japanese occupation. ‘Snowing Map’ is the title of one of his poems.
Haegeum Class InfoHanna Lee (이한나)
Traditional Dance Instructor
Hanna Lee graduated from Daejon Arts High School and Joongang University in Korean Traditional Dance. Hanna was an adjunct member of the National Dance Company of Korea and was a member of Didim Dance Company which was established by choreographer Soho Kuk in 1987. She performed in many national events such as Korean President’s inaugurations, a festival in the eve of North-South Korean Summit, and a few festivals celebrating anniversaries of diplomatic relationships with foreign countries.
보스턴 춤디딤Jihye Park (박지혜)
Janggu Instructor
Korean traditional drumming and dance - Pungmul
Jihye Park is the founder and director of the Boston Pungmul Community (BPC; Bopoong), a group dedicated to fostering joy, self-expression, and collective growth through Pungmulnori —a vibrant Korean traditional performing art. She creates inclusive and engaging opportunities for people to explore and celebrate Korean culture, promoting cultural understanding and enriching Boston’s diverse community.
Administration & Operations
Mina Cho (조미나)
Director
Mina Cho manages scheduling, space allocation, and registration for BAKTA’s programs; facilitates communication among faculty; and coordinates, promotes, and emcees the semester-end student showcase.
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Founder & CEO of International Gugak Jazz Institute (IGJI)
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Director of Gugak Jazz Society
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Director of Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts (BAKTA)
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Contemporary Music Director at Somerville Community Baptist Church (SCBC)
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Faculty at Emerson College (The Department of Performing Arts)
Ph.D. in Musicology (ABD) at Brandeis University
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D.M.A. in Jazz Studies-Composition & Musicology (minor) at New England Conservatory (graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.0)
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M.M. in Jazz Studies-Composition at New England Conservatory (Pi Kappa Lambda)
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B.M. in Jazz Composition & Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music (Summa Cum Laude)
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B.A. in Theology at Yonsei University
* Background Illustration of BAKTA Logo by Jiyoung Hwang (originally without text) Creative Commons
Creative Commons