Some fifty-one years ago I left my native Korea for the United States of America in order to begin my musical studies at the world famous Juilliard School in New York City. Since that time I was fortunate to have received the most valuable education, to have had the most rewarding concert career, and to have enjoyed some thirty-five years of teaching as Professor at Indiana University, Illinois State University, University of North Texas, and Boston University. In March of 2005 I returned to Korea, the land of my birth, and have taken on my present position as Dean of the College of Music and Professor of Music at University of Ulsan, a Hyundai-sponsored university.

After fifty years of musical activities - mostly in the United States and Europe - I now turn whole-heartedly to helping the musical development of the next generation of students, teachers, and audiences in Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries. Thus, it is an honor and great pleasure for me to become Artistic Director of the Chiang Mai Music Festival at Ban Wangtan 2006. After sixteen years as Artistic Director of the Tong-Il Han Piano Institute Summer Music Festival held in many places throughout the world - Boston, Budapest, Hiroshima, Honolulu, numerous locations in Korea, London, Pebble Beach, and Vancouver, B.C. for example - I am deeply gratified now to come to Chiang Mai in the beautiful and historic Kingdom of Thailand.

Our 2006 Chiang Mai Music Festival will offer the highest artistic quality with a most distinguished assembly of international artists and a variety of very appealing programs. Proceeds from our festival will go to the AIDSNet Foundation of Thailand whose meritorious and compassionate work directly links our artistic endeavors with the most pressing needs of contemporary society. With gratitude to our generous sponsors and dedicated supporters I would like to warmly welcome you. Please relax, enjoy our concerts, and join us in the beauty and universal communication of music.

Tong-Il Han