Stephanie Kwak

Dr. Stephanie Kwak
Korean-American Flutist, Educator, and Burkart Artist

Dr. Stephanie Kwak is a distinguished Korean-American flutist and educator, celebrated for her exceptional artistry and dedication to advancing classical music. Her musical journey began at the Seoul Arts Center Prodigy Academy while attending Seoul International School. She later earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Juilliard School, where she served as a Student Ambassador and Chamber Music Coordinator. Concurrently, she pursued studies in French Literature at Columbia University. Dr. Kwak completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, achieving the highest honors for her lecture recital on Schubert. Her passion for teaching was cultivated while assisting renowned flutist Professor Carol Wincenc, as Dr. Kwak was working with undergraduate students at SUNY Stony Brook.

Currently, Dr. Kwak serves as a flute faculty member at Sookmyung Women’s University, Sejong University, and Chungnam National University. At Sejong University, she has been teaching graduate and doctoral courses on symphonic repertoire in her Orchestra Seminar classes, alongside flute performance. At Sookmyung Women’s University and Chungnam National University she teaches and mentors undergraduate and graduate students flute performance, nurturing the next generation of flutists.

An accomplished educator, Dr. Kwak is in high demand globally, having presented masterclasses and performances across the United States, Taiwan, Estonia, Spain, and Poland, where her work was nationally televised. She has also taught at prestigious institutions, including multiple engagements at The Juilliard School and the University of Southern California (USC).

Dr. Kwak’s achievements include being awarded top audience vote honors at the Japan Biwako International Flute Competition, winning first place as the youngest competitor at the National Flute Association Competition (where she also won the Commissioned Piece Prize 'Best Performer of the Year'), and securing first prizes in Korea’s Nanpa Competition and the Korea Music Educational Newspaper’s Competition.

Her performance highlights include a debut with the Berliner Symphoniker at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall during her undergraduate years, a Carnegie Hall debut, and a Lincoln Center debut with the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra at David Geffen Hall for Pierre Boulez’s Tribute Concert. Internationally, she has performed concertos with esteemed ensembles such as the Ukraine Symphony Orchestra, the Lutoslawski Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Llria City of Music International Orchestra.

Beyond her performance career, Dr. Kwak is deeply involved in the classical music community. She serves as a directorate member of the Korea Flute Association, IAF Art Foundation, and The Korea’s Children Center, where she is a program director and also conducts the youth orchestra. Represented by Forte Nexus music management, Dr. Kwak is preparing to release new recordings featuring innovative programs.

Dr. Stephanie Kwak is a Burkart Artist, performing on a Burkart Elite Sterling Silver flute, and continues to inspire audiences and students worldwide with her artistry, passion, and commitment to the future of classical music.