Kumho Cutural Art Foundation

KCF firmly believes that the future of classical music in Korea lies in the continuous discovery and nurture of young, talented musicians. In light of that, the Kumho Prodigy Concert Series, the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series, and the Kumho Young Chamber Concert Series came into being. They aim to provide the opportunity for prospective young artists with great potential to make their stage debuts.

Established in 1998, the Kumho Prodigy Concert Series showcases young talent under the age of 14. The Kumho Young Artist Concert Series, established in 1999, is open to musicians between 15 to 25 years of age. In addition to this, the Kumho Young Chamber Concert Series, launched in 2008, is comprised of young musicians between 15 to 25 years of age.

These Series are held every Saturday at 3pm and 8pm at the Kumho Art Hall Yonsei, and the audition process for artist selection takes place annually in May and October.

These series have become an established gateway into the classical music scene, and more than 1,000 musicians have been discovered and fostered. The beneficiaries of these series include Sunwook Kim (piano), Tae-Hyung Kim (piano), Jong Hai Park (piano), Yekwon Sunwoo (piano), Yeol Eum Son (piano), Sung-Jin Cho (piano), late Hyuk Joo Kwun (violin), Bomsori Kim (violin), Zia Shin (violin), Jehye Lee (violin), Ji Young Lim (violin), Jinjoo Cho (violin), Ye-Eun Choi (violin), Yura Lee (violin & viola), Bong Ihn Koh (cello), Tae Guk Mun (cello), Sung Hyun Cho (flute), Kyeong Ham (oboe), Han Kim (clarinet), and many more. These young artists, debuted and nurtured by these series, are in the limelight home and abroad, and avidly continue their music making today.

Since 1993, KCF has purchased and put together a large collection of high-end musical instruments from all over the world. These instruments are available on a free loan to promising young talent to further support their careers. Without the burden of worrying about buying expensive instruments they can be fully focused on their music.

The collection includes such rare violins as Guadagnini and Montagnana, and equally precious cellos such as Maggini. Currently there are 8 violins, 1 cello, and 1 piano available in the Instrument Bank. Beneficiaries are carefully selected through auditions and all artists who are members of the KCF series are qualified to apply for the auditions. Instruments are currently on loan to exceptionally talented musicians such as Yeol Eum Son (piano), Bomsori Kim, Donghyun Kim, Soobeen Lee (violin). These artists are the beneficiaries of the Foundation’s Instrument Bank, and are presently igniting a passion of music through Korea.

Achievements of the Beneficiaries of the Kumho Instrument Bank

• 2004   Violinist Hyukjoo Kwun: 1st place in the Carl Nielsen International Competition and the first Korean ever to win
• 2005   Violinist Hyukjoo Kwun: 6th place in the Queen Elisabeth Competition
• 2006   Violinist Gahyeon Cho: 2nd place in the Leopold Mozart International Competition
              Violinist Ye-Eun Choi: 2nd place in the Montreal International Music Competition
• 2009   Violinist Gahyeon Cho: 1st place in the Washington International Competition
• 2010   Violinist Clara Jumi Kang: 1st place in the Indianapolis International Violin Competition
              Violinist Ye-Eun Choi: 2nd place in the Indianapolis International Violin Competition
              Violinist Clara Jumi Kang: 1st place in the Sendai International Music Competition
              Violinist Bomsori Kim: 4th place in the Sendai International Music Competition
  
• 2011   Violinist Yukyung Kang: 2nd place in the Kloster Shontal International Violin Competition
              Violinist Bomsori Kim: 1st place in the Qingdao International Violin Competition
• 2012   Violinist Zia Shin: 3rd place in the Queen Elisabeth Competition
              Violinist Bomsori Kim: 5th place in the Hanover International Violin Competition
• 2013   Violinist Bomsori Kim: 2nd place in the ARD International Competition (no 1st place was awarded)
• 2014   Violinist Ji Young Lim: 3rd place in the Indianapolis International Violin Competition
• 2015   Violinist Ji Young Lim: 1st place in the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the first Korean ever to win
• 2016   Violinist Bomsori Kim: 2nd place in the Montreal International Music Competition
• 2016   Violinist Bomsori Kim: 2nd place in the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition
• 2016   Violinist Dong Hyun Kim: 2nd place in the George Enescu International Competition, Violin Section
• 2016   Violinist Bomsori Kim: 2nd place in the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition
• 2018   Violinist Dong Hyun Kim: 1st place in the Seoul International Music Competition
• 2019   Violinist Dong Hyun Kim: 3rd place in the Tchaikovsky International Competition

KCF is wholeheartedly committed to supporting the growth of prominent Foundation-nurtured artists every step of the way. KCF strives to provide them with ceaseless support using all available means to help them to grow into mature musicians. The main areas of support are:

-Opportunities to perform both at home and abroad;
 legal advice upon entering into a contract of engagement; support on administrative procedures
-Introduction to famed artists, ensembles, and arts management agencies in the classical music worldScripting and distribution of press releases  and PR support for acclaimed achievements

KCF’s young musicians have been introduced to luminaries such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Lorin Maazel, Alan Gilbert, and Kent Nagano. As a result, violinist Yura Lee, pianist Yeol Eum Son, violinist Ye-Eun Choi, violinist late Hyuk Joo Kwun, pianist Dasol Kim, violinist Dami Kim, violinist Yoo Jin Jang, and violinist Soo Been Lee have been able to make their debuts on the world stage.