• 국립국악고등학교 졸업
• 용인대학교 졸업 및 동 대학원 졸업
• 용인대학교 교육대학원 졸업
• 한양대학교 음악대학원 음악박사(Ph.D.) — 국악실기·해금 전공
• 제25회 전국난계국악경연대회 대학부 금상 수상
• 국립국악고등학교 및 계원예술고등학교 강사 역임
• 2014 Joo Hyun Park & Leekyung Kang, When Jazz Guitar Met Haegeum 앨범 참여
• 2022 해금 앨범 《마음에 담다》 발매
• 2023 해금 창작음원 《아름답고 찬란하게》 Part 1·2 발매
• 2024 해금 창작음원 《아름답고 찬란하게》 Part 3 발매
• G-Hwaja Music Band 동인
• 국가무형유산 가사 전수자
Haegeum Artist & Jeongga Vocalist
Grace Leekyung Kang is a Korean American haegeum artist and Jeongga vocalist based in the New York metropolitan area. Rooted in Korean traditional music, her artistry brings together the expressive voice of the haegeum with Jeongga, Korea’s traditional vocal music, while also exploring contemporary and cross-cultural collaborations.
Kang began her musical training at Gugak National High School and continued her studies at Yong-In University, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Korean traditional music, as well as a graduate degree in education. She later earned her Ph.D. in Music from Hanyang University, specializing in Korean traditional music performance and haegeum. She was awarded the Gold Prize at the National Nan-Gye Korean Traditional Music Competition and has taught at Gugak National High School and Kaywon High School of Arts.
Since establishing her career in the United States, Kang has performed extensively in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Her performances have taken her to major venues and cultural institutions including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, The Korea Society, the Korean Cultural Center New York, universities, museums, and international festivals. In 2010, she presented her New York solo recital, Haegeum for the Heart, at The Korea Society.
Her musical work spans traditional Korean repertoire, contemporary compositions, and cross-cultural collaborations. In 2014, she collaborated with New York jazz guitarist Joo Hyun Park on When Jazz Guitar Met Haegeum, exploring a musical dialogue between the haegeum and jazz.
Kang released her haegeum album Place in My Heart in 2022, followed by the Beautiful and Splendid series from 2023 to 2024. Through works such as Moran and Truly, she has developed a distinctive artistic voice that brings together haegeum performance and Jeongga singing.
Kang is currently training in Gasa, a genre of Korean traditional vocal music designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea, and is a member of G-Hwaja Music Band. Through her solo performances, recordings, and collaborative projects, she continues to share the depth and beauty of Korean traditional music with audiences in the United States and around the world.
활동경력
May 17 2026“May Music Story” – 5월 음악 이야기Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Korean War Memorial Peace Park, North Wales, PA, USAMay 09 2026Korean Family Month CelebrationsHaegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Concord Free Public Library, Concord, MA, USAMarch 27 2026“Sounds of Korean Soul”G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Gwangju Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, South KoreaMarch 26 2026Matinee Concert “국악_경계넘어 G-Hwaja”G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Gangbuk Culture & Arts Center, Gangbuk Sonamu Hall, Seoul, South KoreaMarch 25 2026“문화가 있는 날: Midweek Arts Night” – Crossing Tradition and ModernityG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Hanam Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater, Hanam, South KoreaFebruary 13 2026Book Talk Show with Dongchan Kim – “The Power of Adversity”Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ New Jersey Catholic Center, Palisades Park, NJ, USAJanuary 30 2026Book Talk Show with Dongchan Kim – “The Power of Adversity”Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Hyo Shin Bible Presbyterian Church, Flushing, NY, USAJanuary 13 2026Korean American Day – 21st Anniversary CelebrationHaegeum Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, USADecember 08 2025“Noches de Gugak: Armonías de Corea – Parte II” G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Teatro Capitol, Quito, EcuadorNovember 23 2025“ARIRANG: Echoes of the East” – Korean Traditional Arts PerformanceHaegeum Solo Performance by Grace Leekyung Kang@ Barrymore Film Center, Fort Lee, NJ, USANovember 06–07 2025Duo Recital – Grace Leekyung Kang & You Shin Kim@ Hotel Koreana, Seoul, KoreaNovember 01, 2025The 16th AI Korea Autumn Concert –G-Hwaja Music Band Invited Performance@ Namhae Exile Literature Museum, Namhae, KoreaOctober 16, 2025Iseul Kim’s “Two Voices”Haegeum Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Terraza 7, Queens, NY, USAOctober 08, 2025G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío, Managua, NicaraguaOctober 06, 2025G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Museo Convento San Francisco de Asís, Granada, NicaraguaOctober 04, 2025Republic of Korea National Day Reception, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in El SalvadorG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ BINAES Auditorium Nivel 1, San Salvador, El SalvadorOctober 04, 2025“¡Ven y Vive!” — Korean Traditional & Fusion Music ConcertG-Hwaja Music Band PerformanceHosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in El Salvador@ BINAES Auditorium Nivel 1, San Salvador, El SalvadorOctober 03, 2025Republic of Korea National Day Reception, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in El SalvadorG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Sheraton Presidente San Salvador Hotel, San Salvador, El SalvadorJune 29, 2025“Sounds & Rhythms of Korea”Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), New York, NY, USAJune 28, 202523rd World Korean Traditional Art Competition — Jury Member@ Traditional Art Society of Korea (TASK), Palisades Park, NJ, USAMay 30, 2025Korean Culture Assembly — Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Millburn Middle School, Millburn, NJ, USAMay 18, 2025PEM Opening Weekend Celebration — Korean Art Gallery & Jung Yeondoo ExhibitionG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), Main Atrium, Salem, MA, USAMay 03, 2025GCF “Stop Hunger, Start Sharing!” Fundraising Artisan MarketG-Hwaja Music Band PerformanceHaegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Hudson Lights, Fort Lee, NJ, USAApril 25, 2025“Discover Korea’s Hidden Charms” Gala ShowG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Cipriani 42nd Street, New York, NY, USAApril 06, 2025Guatemala Mission Benefit ConcertHosted by New Jersey Gospel Mission Choir — Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Joyful Church, Fort Lee, NJ, USAApril 03, 2025Missional Church Conference ConcertHaegeum Worship Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Pilgrim Church, New Jersey, USAMarch 03, 2025NYU Asian Music History ClassHaegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ New York University, New York, NY, USAJanuary 25, 2025Korean Lunar New Year 2025 Celebration PartyHosted by KPAC (Fort Lee KPAC)G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Lewis F. Cole Intermediate School, Fort Lee, NJ, USAJanuary 13, 20252025 KAAGNY 65th Anniversary GalaHaegeum Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York, NY, USADecember 14, 2024Annual Christmas Concert — Christ for the World ChapelG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Terminal 4, JFK Airport, New York, NY, USADecember 10, 2024KOCHAM Annual Dinner PartyG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ The Rockleigh, Rockleigh, NJ, USADecember 07, 2024Old Westbury Mansion GalaHaegeum Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Old Westbury Mansion, Old Westbury, NY, USANovember 07, 2024Opening Performance for Artist Youngseop Han’s Exhibition “Natural Resonance”Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Olyaa Gallery, North Bergen, NJ, USAOctober 24, 2024KACAL 2024 Exhibition OpeningHaegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Korean American Contemporary Arts, New York, NY, USAOctober 18, 2024Korean Night Market ShowcaseHaegeum Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Livingston Hall, Rutgers University (LSC), New Brunswick, NJ, USAOctober 05, 20243rd Beaubliss Women’s Choir Annual ConcertHaegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Open Door Presbyterian Church, Herndon, Virginia, USAOctober 02, 2024Korean National Foundation Day 2024G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Kasper Multipurpose Room, Brown University, Providence, RI, USAAugust 23, 202437th US–Korea ConferenceG-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ San Francisco, CA, USAJuly 25, 2024Gugak Broadcasting Radio – “Our Neighborhood Superstar” Interview AppearanceHaegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Gugak Broadcasting Station, Seoul, KoreaJuly 14, 2024KBS “Fragrance of Korean Traditional Music” – Album Introduction: Beautiful & Splendid Part.3@ Seoul, KoreaJune 01, 2024G-Hwaja Music Band New York ConcertHosted by Big Apple@ Harknessia Church, New York, USAMay 30, 2024New York FBI AAPI Month Celebration – Haegeum Solo Performance Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ FBI New York Field Office, New York, NY, USAMay 2024Beautiful & Splendid Part 3 Single Album ReleaseApril 17, 20242024 Traditional Korean Music & Dance Performance G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USAApril 14, 2024Shepherd Choir Concert – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ New York Chongsin Church Main Sanctuary, Flushing, NY, USAApril 05, 2024Korean Air New York Inaugural Flight 45th Anniversary – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Hard Rock Hotel New York, USAMarch 2024Sijo & Haegeum Lecture – Korean Studies Program@ Rutgers University, New Jersey, USAFebruary 25, 2024Guatemala Mission Support ConcertG-Hwaja Music Band Performance &Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Joy Church, Fort Lee, NJ, USAFebruary 17, 2024Bayside Historical Society Concert – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Bayside Historical Society, Queens, NY, USAFebruary 10, 2024Lunar New Year Celebration – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Newark Museum of Art, NJ, USAFebruary 08, 2024Lunar New Year Celebration – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Dechert LLP, NY, USAFebruary 06, 2024Horace Mann Music Week – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ Horace Mann School, NY, USAJanuary 25, 2024Korean American Association of NJ – Presidential Inauguration Event – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ New Jersey, USAJanuary 06, 2024KCC Gallery New Year’s Greeting Ceremony – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ KCC, New Jersey, USA2023December 17, 2023Haegeum Collaboration with Shema Orchestra – “4th Shema Story Under the Star”@ NY Pillar Church, USADecember 13, 2023Christmas Banquet – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ New Jersey Chodae Church, USANovember 26, 2023I KADA Dance 12th Annual Showcase – Collaboration with G-Hwaja Music Band@ Alvin Ailey American Dream Theater, NY, USAOctober 28, 2023Carnegie Hall Weill Music Room – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Carnegie Hall , New York, NY, USASeptember 17, 2023KBS “Fragrance of Korean Traditional Music” – Featured Album: Beautiful & Splendid@ KBS Scent of GugakAugust 2023Beautiful & Splendid Part 3 – Single ReleaseJune 23, 2023Korean American Global Business Expo – G-Hwaja Performance@ American Dream, NJ, USAJune 20, 2023“In the Beginning” – G-Hwaja Music Band Performance@ David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, NY, USAJune 11, 2023“Sound of Korea” – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ East Brunswick Public Library, NJ, USAMay 20 2023AAPI Jazz Fest 2023 – Special Performance@ Express Newark, Newark, NJ, USAApril 29, 2023Spring Blossom Party – Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Brooklyn, NY, USAApril 2023International Day – G-Hwaja Performance@ Eastern Christian High School, NJ, USAApril 21 20231st Mission Conference Dream Concert –Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Chodae Church, Northvale, NJ, USAMarch 2023Beautiful & Splendid – Two Single ReleasesJanuary 26 2023The Korea Society – Annual Membership PartyTraditional Music Concert with G-Hwaja Music Band@ The Korea Society, New York, NY, USA2022December 09 2022The 17th Korean Music & Dance Night – Performance with G-Hwaja Music Band@ Korean Community Center (KCC), Tenafly, NJ, USANovember 2022Fort Lee Hanbok Day – G-Hwaja Music Band@ NJ, USANovember 15 2022KAPAC Korea Peninsula Peace Conference – Invited Haegeum Solo Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Washington, DC, USANovember 07 2022Korea Day Celebration – Invited Performance by Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Sheraton Hotel Framingham, Boston, MA, USAOctober 26 2022IFC (International Finance Corporation) Event – Invited Performance by G-Hwaja Music Band@ Washington, DC, USAFebruary 03 2022The Kennedy Center – Lunar New Year Celebration “REACH: Winter Lantern + Korea”Performance with G-Hwaja Music Band@ Washington, DC, USA2018 – 2010May 2018New Jersey Korean Traditional Dance & Music Festival – Haegeum Solo Performance@ Bergen Performing Arts Center, NJ, USA2017~ 2013Performances at NY & NJ Elementary/Middle SchoolsApril 2013“Sounds of Korea” – Haegeum Solo Performance Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ William Paterson University, NJ, USAApril 2012US K-pop Haegeum Solo Recording@ New York, NY, USADecember 2011Jaku Christmas Jazz Concert – Jazz Band “Jin Yang” with Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung KangNovember 2011New Sound in World Music – Haegeum Solo Performance Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Pelham Art Center, NY, USAOctober 2011New Sound in World Music – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Syracuse University, NY, USAJuly 2011Montana International Folk Festival – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Montana, USAMarch 2011National Women’s History Month Program – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ Newark Airport, NJ, USASeptember 2010Mexico Chihuahua International Festival – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@Chihuahua, MexicoMarch 2010“The Korea Society Presents: Haegeum for the Hearts” – Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang Recital@ The Korea Society, NY, USAOctober 2009Richmond Folk Festival – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang & Collaboration@ Virginia, USAJune 2009“Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall” – Guest Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung KangApril 2009“City of the World” – Haegeum Solo Haegeum Artist Grace Leekyung Kang@ CUNY Graduate Center, NY, USA