KIHWA
( Freelance Harpist , Composer, Improviser)
Kihwa began playing the harp at age 12.
She graduated from Sungshin Women's University and received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Kihwa, who has a classical music background, also performs as an improvisational musician and has worked with various artists in fields such as dance, theater, and art.
In 2017, she released her self-composed album, "LETTER FROM HER." In 2002, she released the experimental album "9 colors of Kihwa," which features the blending of nine colors based on a single color. In 2023, she performed at the main concert of the 1st Korean Improvisation Music Festival.
Kihwa is part of the duo 1247, which combines the oldest instruments of the East and West, the gayageum and harp. She is also the art director of "Banjul," a multi-cultural space in Jongno, Seoul, and runs a YouTube channel called "KIHWAzip," where she showcases various musical genres and meets different artists.
Kihwa has studied under Lee Gyo-sook, Kim Jin-ok, Sarah Bullen, Park Stickney, and Magali Sauriau.