Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Yoojin Park is a New York City-based violinist and composer. Growing up in a musical family and under the influence of a pianist mother, Yoojin began piano lessons at the age of 3 and began playing violin at 4. Soon after, Yoojin was recognized as being an outstanding musical prodigy, winning the Hankook Ilbo Competition at the age of 7. In high school, Yoojin served as concertmaster at the Kaywon High School of Arts, as well as performing as a soloist at the Seoul Arts Center.  In 2006, Yoojin graduated from Korea National University of Arts, one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Violin Performance under the tutelage of the professor Nam-Yun Kim, one of the most celebrated violinists in South Korea.

 

Having a tremendous passion for classical music, Yoojin was also deeply intrigued by the world of jazz and improvisation.  She liked the idea of not being restrained by following the conventions of classical music or playing only by sheet music. So in 2006, Yoojin moved to Boston to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music, pursuing jazz in earnest. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in performance from Berklee, she moved to New York City, where in 2011, she earned a Master's Degree in jazz performance from Queens College as a student of professor Antonio Hart.

 

In 2013, Yoojin signed with Universal Music Group International and released her debut album “West End”—a cool mix of jazz, blues, and rhythm and blues—the album was publicly acclaimed by Jazz Times- “A new jazz violinist appears like a beacon.”  The album was produced by Antonio Hart and featured Godwin Louis, Victor Gould, Montez Coleman and Lonnie Plaxico.

 

From there, Yoojin has established herself as a bandleader, performing in famed NYC venues including, but not limited to: Blue Note Jazz Club, Rockwood Music Hall and Jazz Gallery. During this time, Yoojin also actively performed as a sideman, recording violin parts for Victor Gould’s debut album “Clockwork” working with producer Myron Walden as well as his third album “Thoughts Become Things” working with producer Jeremy Pelt. In addition, she appeared on J.M.I. Recordings artist, Antero Sievert’s debut album “The_Underscore”—where Yoojin collaborated with producer Steven Mandel. 

 

Yoojin showed her versatility when she toured with DJ KSHMR, performing at Ultra Korea, Ultra Singapore, Sunburn Festival in India, IleSoniq in Montreal, and Avant Gardener in Brooklyn. Also in 2019, Yoojin recorded and appeared in a live video shoot performance with YUNGBLUD (Vevo)— “Hope For The Underrated Youth (Live Orchestral Version)”. In the same year, she also performed at the Hudson Yards opening commemoration with Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, Deborah Cox, Nathan East and music director Greg Phillinganes.

 

Yoojin not only succeeds in performance but as an orchestral director/concertmaster as well, recording with and leading a 24-piece string orchestra on saxophonist Tivon Pennicott's upcoming album “Spirit Garden”. Yoojin also recorded on the upcoming album—Producer Mondays with Ray Angry, as well as recently collaborating with Chien Chien Lu, a jazz vibraphonist and her producer Richie Goods.

 

Currently, since 2016, Yoojin’s been directing and performing in the string section for the Myron Walden with Strings feat. Jon Cowherd project, the group has performed numerous times at Smalls and Mezzrow Jazz Club of NYC.