Korean Cultural Center Hosts First U.S. Performance by CelloGayageum
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, October 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA), under the leadership of Director Haedon Lee, is set to host the Los Angeles premiere of CelloGayageum on Friday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Ari Hall, located on the facility’s third floor. This performance unites the classical Western cello with the traditional Korean gayageum, venturing into fresh creative territory where Eastern and Western musical heritage converge.
Established in Berlin in 2016, CelloGayageum features Austrian-born cellist and composer Sol Daniel Kim alongside Korean gayageum artist and composer Dayoung Yoon. Leveraging their diverse cultural and musical upbringings, the pair has crafted a distinctive sonic identity that blends the emotive capabilities of both instruments.
Since their inception, CelloGayageum has toured extensively across Europe and earned acclaim in Korea through notable appearances, including the 2020 “Cheongchun Manbal” Artist of the Year program by Jeongdong Theater, the 2021 “Young Gugak Director” Artist initiative at Seoul Namsan Gukakdang, and JTBC’s competitive music series Superband 2. In March 2025, the duo joined the roster of IMG Artists’ New York office, a major international performing arts agency, broadening their global reach.
For their Los Angeles debut, CelloGayageum will showcase a repertoire of nine original works and arrangements: Dreamlike Fantasy, An Unusual Cowboy, Fisherman, UT!, Sound of the Ocean, Horizon, Afterlife, Am Kanal, and Hanyang. These pieces emphasize the unique tonal qualities of the cello and gayageum while delving into contemporary musical expressions inspired by Korean traditional aesthetics.
KCCLA Director Haedon Lee remarked, “This concert provides a chance to see how Korean traditional music can transform through interactions with other musical traditions. By pairing the cello and gayageum, instruments from vastly different backgrounds, the artists forge a fresh musical dialogue connecting East and West.”
The event is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Ari Hall at KCCLA. Tickets can be obtained via the KCCLA website.
[CelloGayageum Band Bio]
CelloGayageum is a duo founded in Berlin in 2016 by Austrian cellist Sol Daniel Kim and
Korean gayageum player Dayoung Yoon. Driven by the unique characteristics of traditional
Korean music and the distinct charm of the cello, the two instruments serve as a mutual
source of creative inspiration. Offering an exotic yet harmonious blend of East and West,
they have garnered steady attention in Europe since their inception.
Starting in Berlin in December 2016, they toured Switzerland, Italy, and Poland, and made
their domestic debut after being selected for the Ulsan Cultural Foundation ‘APaMM Showcase. ‘Recognized for their harmonious blending of strings, the duo surprised many in 2018 by winning the Soorim Award (1st place) at Soorim New Wave hosted by the Soorim Cultural Foundation. They were named ‘Artist of the Year’ in Jeongdong Theater’s ‘Youth Full Bloom’ program in 2020, and selected as the 2021 resident artists for Seoul Namsan
Gukak Dang’s ‘Young Gukak Danjang’ program to launch their full-scale activities.
In 2021, CelloGayageum gained widespread public recognition through their appearance on
JTBC’s Superband 2. That October, they received standing ovations at world-renowned
venues including BIMHUIS and De Doelen. They have also been consistently invited to
major state events, performing as the official artists for the 60th anniversary of South Korea-
Netherlands diplomatic relations and at the official ceremony of Cheongwadae.
In March 2025, they signed with the New York headquarters of IMG Artists, a leading global
performing arts management agency, signaling a new phase of expanded international
activity. CelloGayageum continues to translate the beauty of difference into newness through
music and seeks to build deep connections with audiences around the world.
[Member Bio]
1.Yoon Dayoung
Yoon Dayoung is a Gayageum (traditional Korean plucked zither with 12-strings) player and composer of the Ensemble CelloGayageum. She graduated from Korean National Traditional Arts High School and received bachelor's and master's degree from Korea National University of Arts. Following her graduation, she pursued solo activities in France, Germany, Italy, and beyond. During her tenure as a gayageum instructor at the Berlin Korean Cultural Center, she crossed paths with cellist Kim Sol Daniel and co-founded the Ensemble CelloGayageum.
Yoon Dayoung has garnered recognition for her contributions to the ensemble, receiving awards such as the Soorim Cultural Prize (2018), Jeongdong Theater's "Youthful Artist of the Year" (2020), Director of the Young Gugak Orchestra at Seoul Namsan Gukakdang (2021), and the first prize in the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation's Youth Song (2021).
2.Kim Sol Daniel
Sol Daniel Kim is the cellist and composer of Ensemble CelloGayageum. Born in Vienna, Austria, he graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and has been active in Europe, participating as the representative of Austria in 'Eurovision Young Musicians' and collaborating with numerous orchestras such as the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra. After meeting Yoon Dayoung in Berlin, he co-founded Ensemble CelloGayageum and has since continued his endeavors as a full-fledged creative musician."
KCCLA
Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles
+1 323-936-7141
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