ABOUT ME

I am a music educator specializing in early childhood music and an interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on music, education, psychology, and culture. My research examines the psychological and social dimensions of everyday musical experiences across diverse populations. Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Child Study Center at Yale University, where I study the long-term effects of enrichment activities on infant and caregiver health at the Music Lab (PI: Dr. Samuel Merh). Additionally, I am involved in the International Research Symposium on Talent Education (IRSTE) research team, part of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and a visiting scholar in the Experimental Acoustics Research Studio (EARS) at the University of California, Riverside.

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I received my Doctor of Musical Arts in music education from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. My dissertation examined the relationships between small ensemble experience, empathy, and emotional self-regulation, under the supervision of Dr. Beatriz Ilari, Dr. Peter Webster, and Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang. During my doctoral studies, I was involved in several research initiatives, including the USC Brain and Creativity Institute for a longitudinal research project on music and the brain (PI: Dr. Assal Habibi) and AIRS: Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing. I also hold a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in music and music education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Keimyung University, South Korea.

 

As an active early childhood music teacher and a cello instructor, I have taught music to learners of all ages

from early childhood education centers, K-12 schools, colleges, music studios, and community music programs in South Korea, New York, and Los Angeles in the past 15 years. My research is largely rooted in my own teaching experience with the goal of enhancing young people's learning and

development through the power of music.

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I'm currently based in Los Angeles, CA, enjoying life with my husband and our two quickly growing children.