Dr. Dahay Choe is a classical pianist from South Korea, where her musical journey began at the age of six. Seeking to further her musical education, she later moved to the United States. During her studies, she had the privilege of working with renowned pianists including Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov, Dr. Stewart Gordon, and Dr. Jenny Kim.
Dr. Choe earned her Master’s degree with honors from California State University, Northridge, and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from Claremont Graduate University. Her passion for historical performance practice led her to explore the fortepiano, culminating in a unique doctoral recital in 2015. In this program, she examined contrasting sound worlds by performing Mozart on the fortepiano and Debussy on a modern piano within the same setting.
As a performer, Dr. Choe maintains a diverse repertoire and is active as both a soloist and collaborative artist. She has appeared in performances across the United States and South Korea, engaging audiences in a wide range of musical styles.
In addition to her performance career, Dr. Choe is deeply committed to research and music education. Her doctoral dissertation, “The Thirty Etudes of Louise Farrenc,” reflects her scholarly interests. She is an active member of professional organizations including the Music Teachers’ Association of California and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers. She has also served as a judge for annual music performance evaluations at the Music Conservatory of Texas and the Frisco School of Music.
Dr. Choe currently serves on the piano faculty at the Vienna Music Institute in Irvine, California. Her students have consistently excelled in festivals, competitions, and music certification programs, reflecting her dedication to teaching and artistic mentorship.
