Dr. Kookhee Hong, a native of Korea, began piano lessons at age four and won first prizes in numerous national competitions. She continued her studies at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under tutelage of Elenor Sokoloff. She appeared in master classes by Emanuel Ax, Gary Graffman, Claude Frank, Sergio Perticaroli, Lev Natocheny and Peter Eicher.

As a full scholarship student of Solomon Mikowsky, Dr. Hong completed Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees, Professional Studies Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at Manhattan School of Music. She won prizes at esteemed competitions such as the Carlet International Competition, Maria Canals International Competition, Andorra International Competition (Alica De Larrocha’s Spanish Prize) and the Panama International Competition. She also appeared as a soloist with the Tenerife Symphony, the Manhattan Symphony, the Carlet Sinfonia, the Gran Canaria Philharmonic and the Panama National Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Hong currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Hope International University.