Department of Music

A native of Seoul Korea, Ms. Choi came to the United States to pursue her graduate studies in musicology and harp. She currently holds a position as the principal harpist with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and has been the harp instructor at Brown University since 1994. She earned a Master’s degree in musicology from Tufts University. While in Boston, she studied with Lucille Lawrence at Boston University and at Tanglewood. Miss Lawrence was a former pupil and wife of Carlos Salzedo who is considered the father of the modern harp, and with him co-authored pedagogy texts for the “Salzedo technique.” Ms. Choi performs with various ensembles in the region and has performed as a soloist at recitals and concert series including the Newport Music Festival. In 2001, Ms. Choi performed with tenor Andrea Bocelli in a North American tour and she has accompanied popular artists such as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Sheena Easton, Olivia Newton-John and the Irish Tenors to name a few. Additionally, she has performed with Broadway shows touring locally. For her Master’s thesis, Ms. Choi transcribed all known compositions by the 16th century French composer known only as Nicolas and explored his enigmatic identity. This work was published by Garland Publishing, New York as part of a series of full scores of 16th century chansons. As a music editor/transcriber, she has collaborated with noted musicologists on numerous projects for Taylor & Francis Books, Oxford University Press, Harvard University Press, University of Rochester Press, and the American Musicological Society.