New York, NY

 Welcome to the home of Choi HeunJung Fairbanks!  Here you can read a little bit about me, check out some of my sound clips, look at some photos, find out where and when I'm performing.  Enjoy!

Bio below:

BIO

  Cellist Choi HeunJung Fairbanks immerses herself in a diversity of styles of music.  When performing, she emotes her love of Jazz, Classical, Gospel, and various Contemporary music, and brings her unique perspective from Korea.  Her talent was apparent at an early age, when as a teenager she won two international competitions held by the Korean National Music Association. 

  Now in the U.S., she is active in the vibrant New York Jazz and Contemporary music scene.  In addition to freelance performing and recording, Choi is a member of the New York Jazz Symphony Orchestra, and a participant in the IAJE New Music String Reading Ensemble.  This summer she will be involved in administrating the Christian Howes Creative String Workshop.  Choi also teaches privately in New York City.

  Fairbanks' professional performance experience includes the Seoul Premier Orchestra and the Seoul Civic Orchestra (South Korea), the Southwest Florida Symphony, the Arpeggione String Quartet, the above mentioned New York JSO, and Principal Cello in the Henry Mancini Institute Chamber Orchestra (U.S.).  She has performed in China, Guam, Korea, and the U.S.

  Her education began in her native South Korea, where she attended distinguished Seoul Arts High School, earned a B.M. at Han Yang University, and began M.M. studies at Ewha Women's University.  Choi's passion for Jazz then brought her to the U.S., where she earned a dual Master's degree in Jazz and Classical performance at the University of South Florida.  While studying at USF, she was awarded the prestigious Roe 'Cello Scholarship.  Choi was also offered a full scholarship for doctoral study at University of Miami.

  Aside from playing, Fairbanks has avidly maintained a role as a music educator.  In Korea she co-directed and taught at a music academy.  While in Florida, she worked as a teaching assistant at University of South Florida, directed the Orchestra program at Powell Middle School Performing Arts Center, and ran her own private teaching studio.  In New York City, Choi teaches Strings at Bronx Charter School for the Arts and runs a private studio.