Praised by critics for her “stunning and magnificent performance” delivered with a “real sensitivity with superbly articulated,” (Fanfare) Korean-born pianist Dr. Hyeji Seo is an acclaimed soloist, collaborative artist, and pedagogue whose career spans the United States, Europe, and Asia. She is recognized for her lyricism, a “delicate yet confident” touch (Interlude.hk), and an expressive musicality that “transcends time and space” (iReview.kr).” Critics consistently highlight her as a fine advocate for the composer’s voice, with striking clarity, nuanced touch, and rare sensitivity.
Since her 2016 New York debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Dr. Seo has performed in premier global venues, including Brussels’ Palais des Beaux-Arts, and Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She won top prizes at the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition in Brussels, and the International Piano Association Competition, alongside recognition from Japan’s Ise-Shima International Piano Competition and the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. Her performances have been featured on public radio stations across Virginia, Massachusetts, Florida, and Kansas City, as well as Blue Lake Public Radio.
Dedicated to expanding the classical canon, Dr. Seo actively promotes underrepresented composers works. Her debut album, Melodies from East Asia (Navona Records, 2025), pairs contemporary East Asian repertoire with a world-premiere commission by the Korean Society of Women Composers, earning extensive public radio airplay and critical acclaim across the United States and Asia. In parallel, her concert initiative The Music We Write, founded in 2023, is devoted to championing lesser-known works and fostering dialogue around cultural heritage and artistic diversity, bridging classical music with resonant contemporary narratives.
Dr. Seo is an influential pedagogue and sought-after clinician. She recently honored as a Kawai Medallion Educator by Kawai America and her latest invitations include serving on the artist faculty of the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, alongside masterclasses and guest residencies at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Sichuan Normal University, Southwest Jiaotong University, Gangneung-Wonju National University, the Triumph Music Festival, and the Rawlins Keyboard Series. Her pedagogical research and performances have been showcased at prominent national conferences, including NCKP, the National College Music Society (CMS), MTNA Collegiate Chapter, and the Colorado State and local MTA. She frequently adjudicates for local, state, and international events, including the International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival and CSMTA.
Deeply committed to inclusive music education, she worked extensively with young musicians through programs such as the Celebrating the Spectrum Festival, supporting students on the autism spectrum. A dedicated advocate for underserved communities, she is a registered teacher with the MusicLink Foundation and serves as Vice President and Pedagogy Program Event Chair for the Fort Collins MTA, actively connecting local educators, higher education, and the broader community. She also taught piano in community programs including Expressions Music Academy in Novi, Michigan, and St. Pius X Catholic Church and School in Flint.
As a versatile collaborative pianist, Dr. Seo regularly partners with renowned artists across a wide range of instrumental, vocal, and operatic repertoire. She also has served as an official pianist for the International Horn Symposium, the National Flute Association Convention, Italy’s Encore Chamber Music Series, alongside performances at the International Double Reed Society Conference, Colorado Flute Fair, NATS, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
Dr. Seo earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano and Master’s in Collaborative Piano from Michigan State University, following degrees from Sookmyung Women’s University and Western Illinois University. During her studies, she appeared as a soloist with orchestras including Seoul National University, Sookmyung Women’s University, and Western Illinois University by winning concerto competition. Fully supported by the Ralph Votapek Scholarship, the Dixon Collaborative Pianist Award, Graduate Assistantship, her primary mentors were Kyungmi Kim, Hyesoo Jeon, Tammie Walker, Zhihua Tang, and Deborah Moriarty. She has further worked with renowned artists including Hae Sun Paik, Alan Chow, Zhe Tang, Robert Roux, Michael Lewin, Klaus Schilde, Sontraud Speidel, Aviram Reichert, Alain Jacquon, and Laurent Cabasso.
Currently, she serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in Collaborative Piano at Colorado State University.
