Shinjoo Cho
Bandoneonist and pianist Shinjoo Cho began her music studies at age five in Korea and continued her music development in tango, chamber, and improvised music in the US and Argentina. Shinjoo collaborated with music, dance, and film makers in multi-disciplinary projects and performed on notable stages and festivals in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Korea. Shinjoo participated in the Marlboro Music Festival under the baton of Leon Fleisher, appeared as a guest soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra and NY Master Chorale, and performed with tango orchestras at the Lincoln Center summer concert series.
During her 2014-2016 residency in Argentina, some of Shinjoo’s notable performances included appearing as a solo pianist for the president of Argentina at the inauguration of Centro Cultural Kirchner, a Teatro Colón debut with Branford Marsalis Quartet, and participation in Diego Schissi’s Música Maestra ensemble at Centro Cultural Kirchner Symphonic Hall.
Her recent projects include creating and producing Lo que vendrá, a retrospective and marathon concert of Astor Piazzolla’s music presented by Esperanza Arts Center, and composition for film and radio, such as the Lewis Latimer documentary and WHYY’s Route 47: Historias Along a Bus Route. Currently, she is a member of Oscuro Quintet, El Sesenta dúo, and Abaddon Sextet and teaches bandoneón and tango ensemble at Swarthmore College and Central High School.
Awarded Grants
2023
Window of Opportunity Grant (WOO)
Related grantees
Overview
Shinjoo Cho has the opportunity to record her first solo full-length album in Argentina in January 2024 at Casa Frida Studio in Buenos Aires. The contemporary tango music scene is active and robust in Argentina and other parts of the U.S., but is greatly lacking in Philadelphia, and Shinjoo wants to contribute with new sounds and works borne out of Philadelphia’s tango landscape.
This album will primarily feature her original compositions and arrangements on bandoneon with guest artists from and in Buenos Aires. Since Argentina leads the world in bandoneon and tango recording, recording in Argentina will engage the music community there and build momentum for the album distribution in the U.S., Argentina, and other countries, growing the network that Shinjoo has built over the past 15 years living, visiting, and working in Argentina.
The WOO Grant will help Shinjoo cover airfare and lodging expenses in Buenos Aires during the time of recording the album.
2004
Window of Opportunity Grant (WOO)
Related grantees
Overview
One-on-one mentoring with Hector Del Curto for instruction in tango music to focus on developing fundamental techniques and improvisation skills with the bandoneon. Support for mentorship, equipment, and travel expenses.