Program Mentors

Sungyeon Ahn

A native of South Korea, pianist Sungyeon Ahn has performed as a soloist and chamber musician across South Korea, Germany, Brazil, and the United States. Her work has also been featured at national and international music conferences. She earned a Master of Music degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Norman Krieger, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Michigan State University under the guidance of Derek Kealii Polischuk.

Kelly Bohan

Kelly Bohan is a master’s student in piano performance and piano pedagogy at Michigan State University, where she studies with Deborah Moriarty. She earned her bachelor’s degree from MSU and enjoys solo and collaborative playing. With pianist Philip Roragen, she explored two-piano repertoire and was a prize winner at the 2023 MTNA Stecher and Horowitz Two-Piano Competition. Kelly also studies organ with Hae Won Jang and contributes to “You Can Feel the Music,” a project promoting accessibility in music notation.

Yi-Hui Chen

Yi-Hui Chen is a pianist from Keelung, Taiwan. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from MSU in 2022 and is currently pursuing a second doctorate in collaborative piano with a graduate assistantship. Chen studied at National Taiwan Normal University and Indiana University, and has worked with esteemed pianists including Edward Auer, Roberto Plano, and Deborah Moriarty. An active performer, she collaborates widely—from chamber music and vocal ensembles to wind symphony and musical theater.

Jiwon Chun

Pianist Jiwon Chun, originally from Seoul, South Korea, is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Michigan State University, studying with Eric Zuber. She earned degrees from Northwestern University and Yonsei University and has won top prizes in solo and chamber competitions in Korea. Chun recently performed at the Tuba Bach Festival and won first prize at the Ravel 150th Piano Competition. She has also performed at summer festivals in Italy and participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists.

Youlim Chung

South Korean pianist Youlim Chung is pursuing her DMA in piano performance at Michigan State University, studying with Derek Kealii Polischuk. She holds degrees from Ewha Womans University and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Emile Naoumoff. She has received prizes from the Indiana Matinee Musicale Competition and MTNA Young Artist Competition. A dedicated educator, Chung has taught students of all ages and worked alongside her mother at a successful private music academy in Korea.

Seunghyun Lee

Seunghyun Lee is a DMA candidate in piano performance at Michigan State University, studying with Derek Polischuk. A native of South Korea, she has performed internationally in venues including Carnegie Hall and Teatro Zorrilla. Lee is a prize winner at the American Protege and Asia International Piano Academy competitions. She previously served as a staff accompanist at the Peabody Institute and is passionate about music and brain research, with academic work in cognitive science and music therapy.

Dailin Zeng

Chinese pianist Dailin Zeng is pursuing her DMA in Piano Performance at Michigan State University with Deborah Moriarty and serves as a graduate assistant. She holds BM and MM degrees from the Eastman School of Music. Zeng has won top prizes in international competitions including AYTIMC and the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition. She has performed in the U.S., China, Italy, and France, and is active as both a solo and collaborative pianist. Zeng also serves as organist at Holt United Methodist Church.