Yeyun Jang—World Groove

Yeyun Jang is a trailblazing piri performer and composer who bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. With a deep foundation in Korean traditional music and a bold vision for the future, she blends the soul of Korean heritage with the expressive freedom of jazz, world music, and film scoring. Through her work, Jang pushes creative boundaries, redefining the role of the piri in contemporary music.

Having studied Korean traditional music since the age of six, Jang graduated from the national Korean traditional music middle and high schools. While serving as an orchestra soloist at Myungsung Church, she aspired to study abroad, a dream that led her to Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, she immersed herself in jazz improvisation, composition, and global music fusion, collaborating with esteemed artists across genres.

As a member of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and its big band, Jang has refined her improvisational and orchestration skills while working closely with world-class jazz musicians. She is also a member of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, where she explores jazz as a platform for cultural dialogue and artistic innovation. These experiences have expanded her musical vocabulary and empowered her to integrate the piri into contemporary jazz ensembles in groundbreaking ways.

A major milestone for Jang was performing at Carnegie Hall in October 2023.

Most recently, in January 2025, Jang performed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, presenting a one-of-a-kind fusion of piri and jazz, further establishing her as a global innovator shaping the future of cross-cultural music.

Jang draws profound inspiration from legendary artists such as McCoy Tyner, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer—particularly Zimmer’s use of traditional instruments like the duduk in cinematic soundscapes. His work has reinforced her belief that music transcends genre, opening doors to new sonic possibilities.

In 2025, Jang was named an award winner in the Boston International Composition Competition (BICC) and took first place in both the composition and performance categories of the World Melody Music Competition.

Through continuous exploration, Jang seeks to develop a distinctive musical voice that honors cultural heritage while embracing modernity. By integrating the piri into jazz, film music, and beyond, she aims to push creative boundaries and foster deeper appreciation for musical diversity on the global stage.