Born in Korea, Jiyoung Ko is a composer of orchestral, chamber, and vocal music whose works are deeply rooted in narrative, guiding her creative decisions. Her music often reflects themes of people, landscapes, and experiences, with an affinity for dense textures, resonant hues, and poetic, delicate melodies that shines through in all her creations. Her compositions encompass a wide range of styles—from cutting edge to traditional—that resonate with both ordinary and professional listeners. She seamlessly bridges the realms of intellectual depth and accessibility, an achievement frequently noted by audiences. One of her pieces was described as a ‘brilliant study in timbre, tone, and color…a haunting piece.’ (AB Newswire)
Her work has been performed in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Germany by various ensembles, orchestras and musicians, including the Grand Rapids Symphony, Mivos Quartet, Dal Niente, WasteLAnd, Del Sol String Quartet, Cepromusic ensemble, Palimpsest, New York New Music Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble Korea, NEC Honors Ensemble, KNUA Chamber Ensemble, Min Kwon, Christopher Adler, and Dan Lippel, among others. Recently, Ko premiered sumbisori through a Chou Wen-chung commission from Steven Schick, and her piece Undulate, written for Khaen, had its Asia premiere at the National Gugak Center in Korea. Her newly completed orchestral work, commissioned by the La Jolla Symphony, is scheduled to premiere on February 1–2, 2025. She is currently composing a solo flute piece in collaboration with her colleagues.
In 2019, Ko was a finalist in the League of American Orchestras’ Women Composers Readings and Commissions Program supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Her orchestral work, Remembrances, was selected by the American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot New Music Readings for a performance by the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2018, and Ko was the ArtPrize 10 Public Vote winner for the same piece. She was also selected for the 2018 Civic Orchestra of Chicago New Music Workshop with coaching by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) at Chicago’s Symphony Center. Other honors include winning Honors Ensemble at The New England Conservatory and an award for a String Quartet competition featuring Del Sol String Quartet. Ko has been a fellow at the June In Buffalo Music Festival, Pacific Rim Music Festival, and NONG Music Festival.
Ko is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Composition at the University of California San Diego. She holds a MM in music composition from the New England Conservatory and a MA and BA in music composition from Korea National University of Arts.
