Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts
보스턴 한국전통예술원
Background Illustration by Jiyoung Hwang (originally without text) Ⓒ Creative Commons
Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts
- About BAKTA
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The idea for the Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts (BAKTA) was born from the passion and admiration for music, art, and culture shared by members of the Korean Cultural Society of Boston (KCSB). Our goal is to rekindle, reshape, and revive Korean traditional music and arts through educational programs that incorporate a range of contemporary musical styles and artistic techniques from across the globe.
Our program offers private and group lessons in Korean traditional instruments and dance for young and adult students aged five and above. These classes are primarily held on Sunday afternoons at the Somerville Community Baptist Church (SCBC), located at 31 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144. The curriculum is designed as a 10-week program that includes nine regular classes and culminates in a performance presentation. Additionally, we offer special workshops and activities during breaks between semesters. We are grateful for the support of our community partners, including the KCSB, the Somerville Community Baptist Church, The Boston Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, and the International Gugak Jazz Institute, whose generosity has enabled our vision to become a reality. |
- Program Details
Spring 2025 Schedule
*Please note that classes are available for individuals aged 8 and above.
10 Sundays between March and June
Regular Classes: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1
Spring Recital on 6/8
(*No classes on 4/20)
Classes provided this semester:
Gayageum (Korean zither)
Ajaeng (Korean bowed zither)
Haegeum (Two stringed vertical fiddle)
Janggu (Korean traditional percussion)
Traditional Dance
Class types:
– Private lesson
45min $60 ($600 per semester)
60min $80 ($800 per semester)
– Group lesson
(available for dance and janggu classes only; group classes can be transitioned to semi-private classes or cancelled due to low enrollment)
Dance (minimum 3, maximum 15)
60min $30 ($300 per semester)
Janggu (minimum 3, maximum 5)
60min $30 ($300 per semester)
*Instruments and dance costumes will be available for rental at the Academy. Instruments will only be available at the Academy during class and practice times if the number of students enrolled for the instruments exceeds the number of instruments available.
Rental –
Gayageum, Ajaeng: $50 for a semester & $100 refundable deposit for a new student
Haegeum: $30 for a semester & $60 refundable deposit for a new student
Janggu: $20 for a semester & $40 refundable deposit for a new student
Location: Somerville Community Baptist Church (31 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02114)
Registration period:
February 23 ~ March 23
$25 non-refundable registration fee for a new student
*Please note that classes are available for individuals aged 8 and above.
10 Sundays between March and June
Regular Classes: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1
Spring Recital on 6/8
(*No classes on 4/20)
Classes provided this semester:
Gayageum (Korean zither)
Ajaeng (Korean bowed zither)
Haegeum (Two stringed vertical fiddle)
Janggu (Korean traditional percussion)
Traditional Dance
Class types:
– Private lesson
45min $60 ($600 per semester)
60min $80 ($800 per semester)
– Group lesson
(available for dance and janggu classes only; group classes can be transitioned to semi-private classes or cancelled due to low enrollment)
Dance (minimum 3, maximum 15)
60min $30 ($300 per semester)
Janggu (minimum 3, maximum 5)
60min $30 ($300 per semester)
*Instruments and dance costumes will be available for rental at the Academy. Instruments will only be available at the Academy during class and practice times if the number of students enrolled for the instruments exceeds the number of instruments available.
Rental –
Gayageum, Ajaeng: $50 for a semester & $100 refundable deposit for a new student
Haegeum: $30 for a semester & $60 refundable deposit for a new student
Janggu: $20 for a semester & $40 refundable deposit for a new student
Location: Somerville Community Baptist Church (31 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02114)
Registration period:
February 23 ~ March 23
$25 non-refundable registration fee for a new student
Registration Process
1. Fill out online form
2. Pay by venmo or check
– By Venmo: send payment to "Mina-Cho-6" and include your (student's) full name with Venmo transfer. Email us at "[email protected]" to confirm that the transaction corresponds with your registration.
– By check: Mail completed online form (printed) and the check (including full tuition + $25 non-refundable registration fee for a new student) made to Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts (or BAKTA).
– Mailing Address:
Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02114 (Attn: Mina Cho)
*Include notes: Student's full name, Boston Academy KTA tuition (or BAKTA tuition) + $25 Registration Fee (for a new student).
*Registration & Payment due Monday 3/27/25
- Director
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Mina Cho | 조미나
Founder & CEO of International Gugak Jazz Institute (IGJI) Director of Gugak Jazz Society Director of Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Arts (BAKTA) Contemporary Music Director at Somerville Community Baptist Church (SCBC) Faculty at Emerson College (The Department of Performing Arts) Ph.D. in Musicology (ABD) at Brandeis University D.M.A. in Jazz Studies-Composition & Musicology (minor) at New England Conservatory (graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.0) M.M. in Jazz Studies-Composition at New England Conservatory (Pi Kappa Lambda) B.M. in Jazz Composition & Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music (Summa Cum Laude) B.A. in Theology at Yonsei University www.minachojazz.com |
- Faculty
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Kyungsun Kim | 김경선
Gayageum (Korean zither) Kyungsun Kim teaches traditional Korean music at the Korean School of New England in Newton. She earned her B.M. degree in traditional Korean Music (Gayageum Performance) as well as her M.Ed. degree in Music Education from Seoul National University in Korea. |
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Yoona Kim | 김유나
Ajaeng (Korean bowed zither) Gagok is a genre of traditional Korean vocal music sung by men and women to the accompaniment of a small orchestra. Yoona Kim was Artistic Director of Modern Gagok from 2016 until 2022, a group dedicated to creating contemporary stories through Korean sounds. She received her B.M. degree in Ajaeng Performance from the Seoul National University in Korea, and is enrolled in the M.M. program of Contemporary Improvisation at New England Conservatory. |
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Jennifer Chung | 정재니
Haegeum (Two stringed vertical fiddle) Jennifer graduated from National High School of Traditional Korean Arts, Seoul Arts-Occupational Training College, and the University of Suwon. She was a member of ‘Snowing Map’ band in NJ, which was established in honor of Dong-ju Yun, a poet who tragically died early at 27 in for independence movements from the Japanese occupation. ‘Snowing Map’ is the title of one of his poems. |
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Hanna Lee | 이한나
Traditional Dance Hanna Lee graduated from Daejon Arts High School and Joongang University in Korean Traditional Dance. Hanna was an adjunct member of the National Dance Company of Korea and was a member of Didim Dance Company which was established by choreographer Soho Kuk in 1987. She performed in many national events such as Korean President’s inaugurations, a festival in the eve of North-South Korean Summit, and a few festivals celebrating anniversaries of diplomatic relationships with foreign countries. |
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Jihye Park | 박지혜
Korean Percussion Jihye Park is a traditional Korean percussionist and Daegeum flutist. She plays various types of Pungmul (Koran folk music and dance), which is listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She also plays Samulnori, a contemporary percussion quartet that originated from Pungmul. She studied Korean court music as well, and plays Daegeum Jeongak and Daegeum sanjo. In the U.S., she evolved to crossover music with western instruments. |