Hawaiʻi Chamber Music Festival Names Dr. Yuseon Nam as Director of YAP & Educational Initiatives
HONOLULU, HI — The Hawai‘i Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) is proud to announce Dr. Yuseon Nam as its new Director of YAP & Educational Initiatives, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to empowering Hawai‘i’s young musicians and expanding access to high-quality, tuition-free music education.
A full-time member of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and a respected violin and viola teacher in Honolulu, Dr. Nam has been part of HCMF’s Young Artist Program (YAP) faculty since its launch in 2021. Her appointment underscores HCMF’s dedication to supporting local keiki by strengthening YAP while sustaining the festival’s longstanding tuition-free promise.
“Since Yuseon’s involvement with YAP from day one, I knew we could build something extraordinary for our keiki,” said Chris Yick, President of HCMF. “She is a dedicated educator whose values align deeply with HCMF’s mission to uplift our community through music and inspire the next generation of artists. We look forward to expanding YAP’s impact and ensuring that music education remains accessible to all.”
Since arriving in Hawai‘i in 2017, Dr. Nam has had a meaningful impact on the local musical landscape. She maintains a large private studio, teaches and coaches chamber music at ‘Iolani School, and previously supported the Nanakuli strings program through the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. She also served as vice president of the Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association.
Artist Director Stefan Jackiw added, “Yuseon is a brilliant violinist and a nurturing teacher. I’ve enjoyed sharing the stage with her and seeing her transformative work with students. I’m thrilled that she’s joining the HCMF team to lead our Young Artist Program. She will lead with vision, excellence, and warmth.”
Dr. Nam’s extensive training includes undergraduate and graduate studies at Seoul National University and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, followed by a doctorate in violin performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music, where she served as teaching assistant to Federico Agostini. She has taught at the University of Rochester and the Indiana University String Academy, and completed pedagogy studies under Mimi Zweig.
An active soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Nam has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia. She founded the Felix Trio, featured at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Yujung Arts Center in Seoul, and at the Banff Centre Chamber Music Residency. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Seoul Philharmonic and the Romanian State Orchestra, and as a viola guest artist at the International Chamber Music Festival of Puerto Rico.
Dr. Yuseon Nam shared, “I’m truly honored to be the inaugural Director of YAP & Educational Initiatives for HCMF. Since YAP’s first year in 2021, I’ve seen how meaningfully it supports young musicians in Hawai‘i—through its commitment to tuition-free access, mentorship from dedicated local teachers and guest artists, collaborative music-making, and a strong sense of community. Watching students grow through YAP has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue nurturing local youth in their musical development in the years ahead.”
Dr. Nam’s three-year appointment begins formally in January 2026 and will align with HCMF 2028, when the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary.
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