The Arts Global Foundation

Our story

The Arts Global Foundation

We believe that art transcends language and borders, and we are building a global community where youth grow to be compassionate.

The Arts Global Foundation

The Arts Global Foundation (T.A.G.F) is an international nonprofit dedicated to helping youth grow & connect through music and the arts. Based in the U.S. and S.Korea, we operate Global youth voices and The chamber string ensemble to create opportunities for young people to reach the world through sound and open hearts through art.

We believe that art transcends language and borders — and we are building a global community where youth grow as compassionate, creative leaders through performance, education, and cultural exchange.

The Arts Global Foundation

Our team

Founder & President

Ji Hyun Hwang

Jihyun Hwang is a distinguished violinist, educator, and arts leader. A graduate of Kaywon High School of Arts, she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Violin Performance from the Hochschule für Musik Düsseldorf in Germany.

She has performed extensively across Europe as Principal Second Violinist of the Ador Kammerorchester and as a member of the Köln Junge Kammerorchester and the Gütersloher Kammerorchester.

Upon returning to Korea, she made her acclaimed debut at Kumho Art Hall, followed by invitations to perform at leading venues including Buam Art Hall and Naeum Art Hall. She is a Silver Prize laureate of the Korea-China Exchange International Music Competition.

In addition to her performance career, Hwang has taught at Sunhwa Arts School and served as CEO of Korea Classical News. She currently mentors students in Jeju’s Gifted Music Program and leads Hwang String Music Academy.

As the founder and president of The Arts Global Foundation, she spearheads international music education and cultural exchange initiatives that empower young artists and foster global artistic dialogue.

Violin Director | Board Member

Joo hee Lee

Joohee Lee is a distinguished violinist and educator with advanced musical training and international performance experience.

She earned her Bachelor's degree from the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, and completed both her Master’s and Konzertexamen in Violin Performance, as well as a Master’s in Baroque Violin, at the Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg.

She served as Associate Concertmaster of the Kammer Orchester Bayrische Philharmonie in Munich and performed with the Nuremberg City Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, she appeared with the National Romanian Kiev Chamber Orchestra and received top prizes from competitions such as the Korea Music Association and Music Journal.

In Korea, she has taught at Chongshin University and Jeonju Arts Middle and High Schools, mentoring students in both technique and musical interpretation. She is also a member of Ensemble Forum 21, known for its creative chamber performances.

As Violin Director at The Arts Global Foundation, she leads the foundation’s string programs with artistic vision and global perspective. She also serves on the board, helping to shape the foundation’s mission to support and inspire young musicians.

Education Director | Board Member

Jae Eun Lim

Jae-eun Lim is a nationally certified early childhood education specialist with over ten years of experience in public early learning institutions across Seoul. She holds both Level 1 and Level 2 teaching licenses, reflecting her advanced training and commitment to child-centered pedagogy.

With a strong academic background in Early Childhood Education, she has developed and led programs that emphasize creativity, empathy, and foundational learning.

Her approach blends structure with imagination, creating joyful, developmentally appropriate environments that nurture the whole child.

As Education Director at The Arts Global Foundation, she oversees early childhood programs that integrate music, the arts, and emotional development.

She ensures each initiative supports both school readiness and lifelong curiosity.

In her role as board member, she contributes to the Foundation’s educational vision, helping shape programs that promote high-quality early learning on both local and global levels.

Principal Collaborative Pianist

Woo Hee Kang

Woohee Kang studied at Yewon School and Seoul Arts High School before moving to Germany, where she earned her Diplom from the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf and a Master’s degree from the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.

She later completed her D.M.A. at Yonsei University.

As a collaborative pianist, she has performed at major venues such as Lotte Concert Hall, Youngsan Art Hall, KT Chamber Hall, and Yonsei Kumho Art Hall.

She has been featured in concert series like For the Piano and invited solo/chamber recitals at Youngsan Grace Hall and Buam Art Hall.

Her international appearances include performances in Germany (Emmerich, Geldern, Goch, etc.) and the Netherlands (Doetinchem, Groesbeek, Boxmeer, and others), receiving praise for her musical sensitivity.

She is also a prizewinner of competitions such as Music Chunchoo, The Korea Times, and the Eumyeon Music Competition, and has performed with the Seoul Orchestra and as guest pianist with the Seoul Philharmonic.

Currently, she teaches at Yonsei University and continues her active career as a leading collaborative pianist.

Violist | Germany outreach Ambassador

Hae Won Han

Haewon Han is a dedicated violist who received her musical training at some of the world’s foremost institutions, including the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, the University of the Arts Berlin, and the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf.

During her studies, she was mentored by esteemed violists such as Paul Coletti, Tatjana Masurenko, and Wilfried Strehle, whose diverse artistic perspectives have shaped her distinct musical voice.

As a versatile performer, Haewon has appeared across Europe, the United States, and Asia in the roles of soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Her dynamic career has included collaborations with internationally acclaimed conductors such as James Conlon, Nicholas McGegan, and Gustavo Dudamel, as well as celebrated artists including Plácido Domingo and pianist Robert Levin.

She has contributed to a wide range of performances spanning from large orchestral productions to intimate chamber music settings.

Her passion for musical exchange has led her to perform at prestigious international festivals such as IMS Prussia Cove in the UK, Music Alp in France, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Germany.

These opportunities have allowed her to deepen her artistry and connect with musicians from around the world, reflecting her commitment to both excellence and collaboration.

Conductor

Chae Young Lee

• B.A. in Vocal Music, Jeju Nat’l Univ.
• M.M. in Vocal Music, Grad. School, Jeju Nat’l Univ.
• Dip. in Vocal Perf., Civica Scuola delle Arti, Rome
• Dip. in Choral Cond. & Vocal Perf., Il Trillo, Florence
• Rep. of Korea at ART Football Fest., Moscow

Soloist Perf.
• Mozart Coronation Mass • Orff Carmina Burana

Major Concerts
• Jeju Vocal Assoc. Gala • Night of Art Songs • Jeju Music Assoc. Fest.

Collab. as Soloist
• Seogwipo Wind Orch. • Jeju Nanum Orch. • Jeju Pops Orch.
• Brillante Brass Band • Hwabuk Wind Orch. • Korean Brass Ens.

Operas & Musicals
• The Magic Flute • La Traviata • Carmen • Elixir of Love
• Musical Haenyeo’s Way • Orig. Musical Pponggeurang Restaurant

Former positions

• Conductor, Jeju Dialect Children’s Choir (Jeju Student Cultural Center)

• Assistant Conductor, Jeju Boys&Girls Choir • Conductor, Pungkyung Art Youth Ensemble

• Trainer and choreographer, Gujwa Children’s Choir

• Vocal and choreography instructor, Jeju Art Center (National Grand Prize • winner at the National Arts Education Festival)

Current positions

• Conductor, Singing Children Growing with SongsChoir (Korea Association for • Leukemia and Childhood Cancer)

• Conductor, Amare Choir • Conductor, Borisu Choir

• Assistant Conductor, Jeju Cantus Choir • Assistant Conductor, Woneum Choir

• Youth arts education instructor, Jeju Cultural Planning and Research Institute

• Board Member, Jeju Vocal Association • Board Member, Jeju Choral Association

• Permanent member, Jeju Seogwipo City Choir