ABOUT JIWON
Jiwon Hahn is a composer, orchestrator, arranger, and pianist based in Atlanta, GA, USA. With over a decade of experience in theater music, she has cultivated a deep passion for tonal music and a keen enthusiasm for rhythm-driven compositions across a variety of genres. Jiwon’s love for the stage is matched only by her belief in the transformative power of storytelling through music, thriving in the collaborative energy of working with musicians, actors, dancers, and playwrights.
As an orchestrator and arranger, Jiwon specializes in operas and musicals, where she excels in reimagining existing works and crafting entirely new sonic landscapes. Her arrangements break free from tradition, often blending classical instruments with percussion, electronic elements, and unexpected textures. For Jiwon, orchestration is an art of endless exploration, creating fresh, dynamic, and emotionally resonant experiences for every performance.
Her music has been performed by Jupiter Opera, the Illinois Modern Ensemble, Really Spicy Opera, the Four Corners Ensemble, and the Ritual Action Trio. She has also contributed to stage works performed by prominent institutions including Jupiter Opera in Chicago, Korea National Opera, and the Seoul Metropolitan Opera.
Beyond the classical world, Jiwon enjoys playing keyboard in bands, with a particular passion for funk and jazz. Though trained as a classical pianist, her diverse experiences—ranging from Korean traditional percussion ensembles to church bands and choirs—have shaped her versatile approach to music, allowing her to explore a wide spectrum of genres and sounds.
Jiwon holds a bachelor’s degree in composition from Seoul National University, where she studied under Uzong Choe, and a Master’s degree in composition-theory from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with Carlos Carrillo, Stephen Taylor, and Eric Lund.
Join Jiwon on her ongoing journey through the intricate fusion of artistic forms. Her creative process is ever-evolving, and she is always open to new opportunities for collaboration with fellow artists and enthusiasts.