That’s one of the things I love most about music. No matter how long you’ve been doing it, there’s always room to grow, discover, and be inspired!
Subin Cho is a distinguished Korean American flutist whose musical journey began with a simple fascination for the flute’s shimmering sound. What started as a childhood hobby quickly grew into a deep and enduring passion for music. A pivotal moment came during her sophomore year of high school, when she won the Donna Marie Competition in Texas. Performing in a concert hall for the first time, with the final round open to the public, Subin expected nerves but instead discovered a genuine joy in sharing music with an audience. That experience solidified her aspiration to pursue a career as a professional musician.
Her accomplishments are numerous and distinguished. Subin has won the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition and was awarded the Grand Prize at the Concert Artists “VIRTUOSO” International Competition, culminated in a performance at Carnegie Hall. She was featured on NPR’s From the Top and was a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Subin has also performed in serveral master classes for well known flutists, including JeWrey Khaner, Jim Walker, Carol Wincenc, Jasmine Choi, Mimi Stillman, Julien Beaudiment, Viviana Guzmán, Jean Ferrandis, Amy Porter, and Sarah Jackson.
Subin earned her Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School under the mentorship of Robert Langevin. She previously earned her Bachelor of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, studying with Marina Piccinini. Outside of her musical pursuits, Subin enjoys playing pickleball and cherishes time spent with friends.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!
I grew up in Keller Texas, and like many students, I joined a school band without knowing where it would lead. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion and eventually a career. I’m inspired by the people around me–teachers, colleagues, students and friends–and by the fact that there’s always something new to learn. That’s one of the things I love most about music. No matter how long you’ve been doing it, there’s always room to grow, discover, and be inspired!
HOW DID GDYO IMPACT YOU?
I was in GDYO throughout high school, and one of my favorite memories was performing in the Holiday Magic concerts with the Greater Dallas Choral Society. It was something I looked forward to every year, and getting to share that music during the holiday season was always special. GDYO helped me grow as a musician, introduced me to lifelong friends, and gave me experiences that ultimately inspired me to pursue music professionally.
WHAT WAS YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE LIKE?
Both schools challenged me in different ways and helped me grow as a musician and as a person. My biggest advice is not to compare yourself to everyone else. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, stay consistent with your practice, and remember that auditions are just one moment in a much bigger journey 🙂
TAKE US THROUGH A DAY IN YOUR LIFE WORKING FOR GDYO NOW!
My days are usually a mix of teaching, practicing, and working in development and the library at GDYO. No two days are exactly the same, which is one of my favorite parts of the job. Whether I’m preparing for a performance, teaching a lesson, or supporting students behind the scenes, I love staying connected to music in different ways and helping young musicians grow.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR?
I’m proud of the opportunities I’ve had to study and work in music, but I’m most proud of building a career that allows me to stay connected to music education. Being able to give back to students and help create meaningful experiences for young musicians is something I don’t take for granted.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER HOBBIES OR GOALS?
Outside of music, I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, spending time with friends and family, and finding good food wherever I go. One of my goals is to continue growing as both a musician and an educator while helping make music more accessible to future generations.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT GDYO STUDENTS?
Be curious, be kind, and be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, and nobody has it all figured out. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and make connections. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the process!! Some of your best memories will come from the people you meet along the way.
THANK YOU SUBIN FOR STEPPING INTO GDYO’S ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT!
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SHARING THE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GDYO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, CONTACT CHARILYNE ROJAS AT CHARILYNE@GDYO.ORG.
