On June 1, 1954, at the age of twelve, I left my native Korea for the United States of America to pursue my musical studies at the world famous Juilliard School in New York City. Since that time I received a most valuable education and have had a deeply rewarding concert career in the United States, Europe and Asia. I have enjoyed some thirty-six years of teaching as Professor at Indiana University, Illinois State University, University of North Texas, and Boston University. In March 2005 I returned to Korea, the land of my birth. I served two years as Dean of the College of Music at University of Ulsan and currently continue there as Chair Professor of Music. In Japan I serve as Visiting Professor at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima. As of March 2007 I have been Chair Professor at Suncheon University in Suncheon, Korea. And, since its foundation in September 2006 in Seoul, Korea, I have mentored a group of highly gifted pianists at the Tong-Il Han Piano Academy.

For the eighteen years I was Artistic Director of the Tong-Il Han Piano Institute Summer Music Festival which took us to locations worldwide - London, Boston, Budapest, Hiroshima, Honolulu, Pebble Beach, Vancouver, B.C., Courchevel, France and numerous places in Korea. Now, as Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Chiang Mai Festival, I am delighted to bring accomplished and aspiring young pianists along with musical colleagues of internationally established stature to Chiang Mai in the Kingdom of Thailand.

After more than fifty years of musical activities mainly in the United States and Europe I 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 pleasure to be Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Chiang Mai Music Festival now flourishing in its fourth year.

Our Young Pianists from Korea and Japan - Youth Making Music for Youth - performing in Chiang Mai schools along with workshops and lessons taught locally by our faculty form the educational aspect of the Festival. Our annual public concert at pondside, lantern-lit Ban Wangtan Concert Stage in Hangdong draws music-lovers residing in and visiting this beautiful northern Thai community. As of this year the Municipality of Chiang Mai has welcomed us enthusiastically by sponsoring our concert at a historic setting which now is the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center. Following our Chiang Mai activities, the Chiang Mai Music Festival 2009 will conclude its visit to the Kingdom of Thailand with a concert at Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha Auditorium, Siam Motors Building in Bangkok.

With gratitude to our generous sponsors, presenters, and dedicated supporters I would like to warmly welcome you. Please relax, enjoy our concerts, and join us for simply beautiful music.

Tong-Il Han