About Hannah
25-year-old Hannah Jiwon is a Korean-American cellist, educator, and interdisciplinary artist based in New York City and London. Her musical journey began when she first heard her grandfather's rendition of "Für Elise" and through singing hymns with her parents. While her grandfather's piano playing initially captivated her, it was the cello that stole her heart at age ten.
Graduating from The Juilliard School in 2022, she's since performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Lincoln Center, and has recorded an album with Linn Records showcasing her love and success in cello performance. Hannah has spearheaded many interdisciplinary projects that highlight her passion for visual arts, dance, and music. She was a founding member of the 1.5 Degrees Trio, a string trio dedicated to combating climate change in NYC and the Juilliard campus.
Hannah also created a multimedia coloring book, Canto Primavera, where she designed and recorded Benjamin Britten's first cello suite, for which she was awarded the George J. Jakab Global Enrichment Grant. Since 2022, Hannah has been a Creative Learning Ambassador with the Benedetti Foundation, and through the program taught, programmed, and coordinated children’s music workshops and musical events.
She is currently completing her Professional Performance Diploma at the Manhattan School of Music. Hannah's commitment to music and the arts makes her a promising young artist to watch.
1.5 Degrees (2018 – 2022)
As a founding member of the 1.5 Degrees Trio, Hannah worked tirelessly to promote sustainability and environmental awareness within the Lincoln Center and Juilliard community. She spearheaded numerous events, including lectures with prominent composers and climate activists such as John Luther Adams and collaborations with New York climate organizations like 350 NYC.
Performed at David Rubenstein Atrium on April 22nd, 2022
Para Quintet (2019-2022)
Hannah's dedication to community engagement was further exemplified through her involvement in the Para Quintet, where she served as both a founding member and cellist. The group, which consisted of a string quartet and a dancer, was dedicated to using music and dance as a means of reaching out to local communities. Under Hannah's leadership, the Para Quintet pioneered a residency model for the GCSF (Gluck Community Service Fellowship), allowing for more meaningful and thorough engagement with the communities they served.
Check out a program showcasing some of our favorite composers!
Canto Primavera (2022)
In recognition of her outstanding accomplishments, Hannah was awarded the George J. Jakab Global Enrichment Grant to fund Canto Primavera, a coloring book inspired by Benjamin Britten's first cello suite. This innovative project incorporated Hannah's own interpretation of the suite and included coloring pages, designs, and poetry, along with a recording of the cello suite.
Promotional Video for Canto Primavera
Beginnings of Haji (2019-Present)
Hannah's passion for music and her creativity led her to launch her own YouTube channel, Haji Kim, during the height of the pandemic. Her most popular video, showcasing a week in the life of a Juilliard cellist, has garnered over 65,000 views. However, her personal favorite video features her and her friends donning avant-garde costumes and dancing to Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 in the bustling streets of New York City.