Conductor and pianist Hanjin Sa, was born in Seoul, Korea and emigrated to the United States in 2000. He received a Music Talent (Full) Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from DePaul University (Chicago) studying under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed pianist, Eteri Andjaparidze. He was awarded the top prize in music competition by The Chinese Fine Arts Society and the Music Fellowship recipient for the International Summer Institute at Round Top, Texas.

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In 2014, Sa pursued his master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh) where he was offered a Conducting Fellowship (Full Scholarship) to study with Professor Emeritus Robert Page and Ronald Zollman. During his time in Pittsburgh, Sa directed many interesting musical projects, most notably he conducted from the keyboard, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy Op. 80, followed by a full performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

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Subsequently, Sa received a graduate assistantship and full scholarship to study with Dr. Mitchell Arnold in West Virginia University. In 2015, he was chosen as one of three conductors to participate in CODA’s annual conference masterclass taught by renowned conductor David Effron. Additionally, Sa was an active participant in international conducting masterclasses by Michail Jurowski, Konrad von Abel (Celibidache School), Leonid Korchmar (Ilya Musin School), Robin O’Neill, and Dennis Burkh (private studies). Recently, Sa attained his Doctorate degree in Orchestral Conducting with his dissertation on Stravinsky’s Danse sacrale from Le Sacre du printemps (Click here to view dissertation abstract).

 

As a conductor, Sa has conducted orchestras such as the Württembergische Philharmonie in Germany, Bacau Philharmonic in Romania, South Bohemian Chamber Orchestra in Czech Republic, London’s RCM Orchestra, Korean Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic and the Congress Orchestra in St. Petersberg, Russia. 

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Through his diverse experiences as a conductor, pianist and educator, Sa strongly believes in the importance of music education and has taught a variety of students from different musical backgrounds. He is committed to guiding students to grow deeper both as an individual and as a musician. His teaching philosophy is to integrate both technical and artistic aspects of music through aesthetic awareness.

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Currently based in Manhattan, New York, Sa is equally active as a pianist. He recently performed at Steinway Hall, New York, and he performs regularly as a soloist, chamber musician, opera accompanist, musical theater accompanist and ballet pianist.