Korean-born pianist Sejeong Jeong began playing the piano at the age of 5. She graduated with Excellence Award in Piano from Sunhwa Arts High School (2006). She entered as a top student of Sookmyung Women's University, College of Music (2007) where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance with Special Honors in Leadership Program and she graduated at the top of her class in piano performance. After finishing her studies in Korea, Dr. Jeong received full scholarships with graduate assistantship from Illinois State University for her master’s degree and received Graduate Incentive Award for Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) studies from College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Recently, Dr. Jeong finished her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Piano Performance and Chamber Music and she published her doctoral document titled “A Performer’s Guide to the Prepared Piano of John Cage: The 1930s to 1950s.” Dr. Jeong had a privilege of being coached from outstanding pianists including Awadagin Pratt, Yoshikazu Nagai, Alexander Korsantia, Christina Dahl, Joshua Russell, Hyejeon Lee, Min-Kyung Kwon, Boaz Sharon, Yong-hee Moon, Aviram Reichert, and John O'Conor. Over the years, Dr. Jeong received scholarships which enabled her to continue her piano studies abroad. She received Sookmyung Women’s University Alumni Scholarship (2013 Seoul, South Korea), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship (2013 Anaheim, CA), Chungbuk Human Resource Development Foundation (2009/2010 CheongJu, South Korea), and Salt-pan Corporation Scholarship (2008 Seoul, South Korea).
As a solo artist, Dr. Jeong achieved success in both national and international competition. She placed first in American Protégé International Competition in which she was invited back to perform Liebermann’s Gargoyles as a first prize winner at Carnegie Weill recital hall in New York. She placed second in Liszt-Garrison International Competition in Baltimore, MD., and she was selected as an Alternate Illinois State Winner and Honorable mention at MTNA Young Artist Competition in 2012 and 2013. Additionally, in South Korea, Dr. Jeong won many awards from Eumak-Chunchoo, Brahms, CBS Broadcasting competitions. She was invited as a rising artist to many renowned concerts series such as 74thChosunIlbo Newspaper Debut Concert, Youngsan Grace Hall Talented Youth Recital, and Royal 20’s concert. Furthermore, she was featured as one of the artists in sister relation anniversary concert with the Royal Academy of Music. Lastly, Dr. Jeong beautifully performed Mozart Piano Concerto K. 467 as a soloist with Seoul National University Orchestra and Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4 with Sookmyung Women’s University Orchestra at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.
Dr. Jeong has a strong vision to help students discover their own image and vision. She desires to lead each student to their calling in music. Her defining calling as "Sejeong Jeong, Pianist that inspires life" leads her strongly now.